Which side is inches on a measuring tape

If you're using a retractable tape measure the kind that comes in a small metal or plastic box that automatically sucks the tape back up when you're done with it note that the end of the tape will almost always have a small metal notch at the zero mark. This is useful for holding the tape in the right place as you measure, so you may want to start by catching it on the edge of the object you're measuring.

On the other hand, if you're measuring something that can't be latched on to like, for instance, the distance across a door frame , just press this metal notch into one side of the object. On some measuring tapes, the end will move. Pull it out if you're measuring by pulling the tape out from an edge, and push it in if you're pushing the tape against a surface.

Stretch the tape across your object. With the zero mark in place, pull back on the box to let more tape out. You can use one hand or a friend to hold the end of the tape in place as you pull it back. Let tape out until it stretches all the way across the distance you're measuring. Try to keep the tape straight as you do this — if you let it sag which is easy to do if you're measuring long distances , the results you get will be skewed. Take a reading directly from the tape. Now, look at the point where the tape meets the end of the thing you're measuring.

The nearest number below the end of the tape is your number of units you're measuring and the markings between this number and the one above it correspond to fractions of the unit. For example, if you are measuring across the front of your dresser and the edge of the dresser lines up right after the 24 inch marking, this means that your dresser is between 24 and 25 inches wide.

You can also try putting a kink in the tape, then lining up this kink with the edge of what you're measuring. This is handy in certain situations, like for instance, when you're measuring into a tight corner. Use the lock switch to keep the tape at the same length. Most retractable tape measures will have a button or sliding switch that, when pressed, keeps the tape measure from being sucked back in.

Some even lock automatically. For instance, the lock feature is useful for: Quickly seeing which of two objects is bigger Seeing whether something will fit through a certain space Keeping the tape available for multiple quick measurements Keeping a certain distance "handy" to avoid having to re-measure. Hold one end of the tape down at the start of your distance. A manual tape measure which looks a little like a long, skinny ribbon or a ruler made out of flexible material lacks some of the convenient features of a modern retractable tape measure, but with the proper technique, it works just as well.

To start taking a measurement, grab the "zero" end and line it up with the start of the object or length you want to measure. Part of the problem with manual tape measures is that they're most useful for measuring only short differences because you have to be able to hold the zero end in place while you move the other end into position. Thus, most manual tapes won't be much longer than the human arm span. If you need to measure beyond your reach, you can try keeping the zero end of your tape measure in place with a weight or getting a friend to help.

Stretch the tape across your distance. Now, take the slack of the object and lay it in a straight line across the object or distance you want to measure. Be sure to keep the tape tight to ensure an accurate measurement, but don't stretch it — most modern measuring tapes are made out of semi-flexible plastic.

Just as you would with a retractable tape measure, look for the spot where the end of the object or distance you're measuring lines up with the tape measure. The distance indicated on the tape measure at this point is the distance you've measured.

For instance, let's say you hold one end of a tape measure in the tips of your fingers and stretch the other end all the way to the crook of your armpit to determine how long your arm is.

If the tape measure stretches exactly halfway between the 27 and 28 inch markings, this means that your arm is If measuring around a round object, pinch the tape where it overlaps. One advantage of ribbon-style tape measures over retractable tape measures is that their flexibility allows them to measure around objects.

To do this, place the zero end of the tape on the object, wrap the tape all the way around it in as straight of line as possible, and note the point where the tape measure first passes the zero marking once again.

This point is the distance around your object. For example, if you want to find the distance around your wrist, place the zero end of the tape measure on top of your wrist, wrap the slack around and underneath, then line it up with the zero end on top. If it is, for instance, six inches at this point, then your wrist has a circumference of about six inches.

Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow. Gino Colucci Home Improvement Specialist. Gino Colucci. Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 0. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. With contractor measuring tapes, used for measuring large areas, you often cannot get a measurement using just the tape, as the body or case of the measuring tape gets in the way.

That's why these bodies are carefully designed and marked to a certain width. Look on the case body for the width indicator. Many are 3". To measure a room from one corner to the other: Lay the tape on the floor and hook the end into one corner of the room.

Pull out the tape along the floor. When you reach the other corner push the butt of the tape case into the corner the butt or back of the case has been flattened for this purpose. Take your measurement from the tape and then add the 3" for the complete width. Example: Measure a space on your wall. Place the front of the tape at the start point and extend it until after you reach the stop point.

Look at the tape and see the last number before the stop point, for example, After the number 17, count four lines, noticing that you stop on the third longest line. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. Related wikiHows How to. How to. Keep the tape straight. If it sags, your measurement will be off. Looking for a quality, accurate tape measure? Tape can help. Here are a few hidden features you will find within in your tape measure. Simply stated, there are 2 techniques to manually gauge the level of liquids in a large storage tank using a tank gauging tape measure-Innage or Outage.

Innage is the more prevalent technique used. In our on-going informational series on gauging tapes, we. Account Sign In. Search for: Search. Accurately Reading a Tape Measure. March 21, A tool is only as good as the person using it.

If you have a metric tape measure, the numbers should be read like this: The large, numbered markings are centimeters There is a smaller marking exactly halfway between the centimeters for ease of reading The smallest markings are millimeters, or one tenth of a centimeter Looking at the example, if you measure something past the 28 th centimeter marking to the third millimeter, you would say it measures This makes measuring center-to-center on studs especially convenient.

Instead of using the pull tab as the edge, place the tape measure so that the one inch line is exactly at the edge of whatever you are measuring. Then take the measurement and subtract one inch. This is best done in pairs so get someone to help you out holding the other end and make sure the person reading the measurement knows that the person pulling the tape is burning an inch. MT Copeland offers video-based online classes that give you a foundation in construction fundamentals with real-world applications.

Classes include professionally produced videos taught by practicing craftspeople, and supplementary downloads like quizzes, blueprints, and other materials to help you master the skills. He learned to build and weld while working on the farm with his grandad, and after earning a degree in Welding and Materials Engineering, he spent the next 10 years working in the heavy construction building everything from robots to ships to offshore oil rigs before transitioning to residential construction.

After spending a couple of years working with industry leading builders in Austin, Jordan and his wife Veronica struck out on their own to form Smith House Co. Smith House Co. Share: Facebook Twitter Email. Explore Classes.