I have a confession!! I struggle (or struggled until recently) to read a tape measure. In my defense I had never been taught what all the “little lines” meant. I knew the the basics…1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and inches, but the other lines were always a mystery. If I had to measure something that didn’t fall within one of those marks I would just mark the tape measure with a pencil or count the lines…you know it might be 32″ and 3 little lines. (Pretty embarrassing, right!)
My guess is that many of you are in the same boat as me. So, I thought we could do a little: How To Read a Tape Measure 101.
(For all of you mathematically inclined people, please ignore my simplistic break down of an already basic tape! You can just skip ahead to another project! 😉 )
This is what helped me, seeing it broken down…I’m a visual learner. Every single line on the tape measure can be broken down into 16ths. This little bit of knowledge is what I was missing.
The 16ths can be reduced into 8ths, like the picture above. Makes sense right? And those 8ths can be broken down even more, until you get to 4ths and a 1/2.
If you look at the picture below you can see how this all makes sense. Shortest lines are the 16ths, going up in length to 8ths, 4ths, 1/2 and inch.
I realize this is simple once you break it down, but in order to be able to measure something and spout off the CORRECT measurement without counting the lines every time (maybe it’s just me) I need it to be broken down.
Now it’s just a memorization game. Before long, it will come natural but until then you can reference this diagram. 🙂
(Click on the image to download and print.)
Since we are on the subject, I though you might like to know about this particular QuickDraw Self-Marking Tape Measure! It makes marking off cuts a piece of cake (or so they claim)!!! I ordered one but it’s on back order so as soon as I get it, I’ll share my findings.
Happy measuring!
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I totally have been needing this info! I get so frustrated when doing projects that require careful measuring! I put up some board and batten this Fall and the measuring was a nightmare! So glad to have your post to help me next time!
Lisa, I’m so glad it’s helpful! 🙂
You are so dull. Metric is the system of reason and universitality.
At the beginning of this instruction Angela posted that this was general information and that “you” should move on to your next project if this information doesn’t interest you. So my question is why are you reading it if it’s below your standards?
Well in my instance I’m trying to find a great reference tool to point my carpenter apprentices to. There has only been one mistake I have noticed so far.
Wow this all makes sense now!! I wish someone had taken the time long time ago for me to know how to do this I passed up many good paying jobs that wanted you to be able to know how to read a tape measure because I didn’t know how thank you so much for posting this!!!
I need to make your visuals into signs to put into our workshop. My husband gets so frustrated with how long it takes me to count and then reduce the fraction in my head to tell him a measurement. Our shop teacher at school also might appreciate this post. He works really hard to teach this skill to kids. I use metric in my science classes which is so much easier!!
Paula, I think having it in my workshop would be great!! Thanks for the idea. 🙂
Thanks so much for this — its really helpful!! 🙂
Terry, you are very welcome! 🙂
This is too funny. I’m in the same boat and thank you for this post!
What’s even funnier? I sew. Have sewn for over 40 some odd years.
Yep. I have dozens of paper tape measures with markers checks all over them. 😀
I hate math, so i’ll be checking this OFTEN.
Again…Thank You!
It’s amazing how many of us have been using a tape measure for years and never REALLY knew how to properly read it. :/ BTW, I just added a printable visual to the post, in case you are interested.
Hey, this is a great idea, wish I would of thought of that. I sure beats having to write it 1,000 times.
Congrats
Thanks, Dad!!! 🙂
This is soooooo me! I giggled through your first paragrah. I always tell my huby that it is 32 and 3 blips. He than asked 3 big or little blips! He has explained numerous time snad I still can’t or don’t want to memorize the measurements. I did find a measuring tape that has all the 3/16 etc. right on the measuring tape, Genious!
lol… Hilarious ! 32 & 3 blips . SOOO FUUNYYY !
My daughter sent this to me and I LOL!! We have a secret joke about how we measure things like… “One inch plus 3 lines”. Having had no idea about how really to measure. And the funniest part is that
we both did this without knowing the other one did too’! Thank you for this!!
Hi Angela, I’m a Mathematician and an avid Woodworker — if it makes you feel any better, I do know how to read a tape measure but usually just stick with the 32″ and 3 little lines approach. My Dad always did it that way when I was a kid and I still find it easier — especially when communicating with my wife.
Thanks, Kevin! That does make me feel better!! 🙂
This is great. I never knew hot to use and really needed to teach my son for a job. This really helped us both. Thank you!
Glad I could help! 🙂
Hope I am not too late to join in on the Thank you, thank you bandwagon! I so needed this!
Its very helpful. ..
Thank you
This is a HUGE help! Thanks for dumbing it down.
Thank you so much for wisely explaining this troublesome subject for me. I struggle basically all my life not been able to measure with confidence. You are a life saver!
Cheers
Very,very helpful thank you
I’m so happy to get this information. Thank you.
thank you
This is much better, but am still a bit confused. I hate math and flunked every course in high school. I never learned fractions or algebra or geometry. I can do simple fractions but very simple. Measuring must be geometry and thst is far out of my ballpark. I can do inch, half inch, and quarter inch but after that is too far out there. Is there an easier way?
Doing a bit better but would never be able to simply read a tape meadure by memory. The larger lines yes but smaller will always need to be studied and counted and still may not get a measurement right. I realize unless good at math this is only minimally helpful and those like me will never be good at math. I only wish those that write these understand that there will always be some who still cannot grasp it. To assume everyone is into difficult msth is not helpful.
This is basic math. I guess I just took it for granted that people understand how to read a measuring tape . Basic fractions. This is a very good explanation for those who didn’t know though.
Thanks for this! I never knew until recently when I needed to learn it for a job. I’m not sure how to do it without just memorizing though. Guess I need to look up fractions for dummies next.
Man I thought i was the only one who struggled with reading tallow measure I’m so glad I came across your page. Now I’m a reread this and take screen shots of the pics.
Thanks for the info!
I have a master’s degree in math and 44 years years experience teaching everything from elementary to advanced calculus. My experiences have taught me that the biggest problem with math comprehension is poor math teachers. Most are excellent but it became clear to me when I taught “Math for elementary Teachers”. Absolutely no concepts. How could a person go through 12 years of public school and not be identified by someone? It slapped me in the face when teaching bases and some of the adult students did. not understand that “10” pennies make dime and “10” dimes make a dollar etc. True that a few of them were so dumb that they couldn’t pick their nose but how did they get this far without help?
At the beginning of this instruction Angela posted that this was general information and that “you” should move on to your next project if this information doesn’t interest you. So my question is why are you reading it if it’s below your standards?
I just started working with my boyfriend hanging siding He asked me if I knew how to use a tape measure and I said yes but when he was shouting out cuts for me to make on the siding I realize I guess I don’t know how to use a tape measure because as you explained in your earlier comment it would be 32 and six lines I think is what he said anyways I appreciate this so information it’s help me and now I understand so thank you
That’s amazing information. I have to save it in my wall. Thanks for sharing and love your site
Sooo happy to have come across your blog! I’m in the midst of my first woodworking class and am finding it all sorts of overwhelming…measuring being the most stressful parts. This post was super helpful and I’ll definitely be ordering the easy-to-read measuring tapes!
Great! So helpful to me. Thank you so much for the post!
That’s amazing information, Thanks for sharing and love your site
Thanks for sharing this amazing information it will be really helpful for me.
Thank you for sharing. I like the post a lot!
Great! So helpful to me. Clear my mind
Thank you so much! I avoided quilt patterns that included 1/8, 3,8 etc.
I printed your download and going to laminate for reference,
You are a lifesaver!
Great tips! Saving it for my next time:)
Go back and make sure you change your wording. 1/16ths cant be reduced into 1/8ths because 1/8ths are bigger than 1/16ths. Great chart though breaking out the fractional numbers. I’m trying to find a visual aid for my carpenter apprentices.
Reading a tape measure is not that easy as it seems to be. Thanks for sharing this incredibly helpful article for those of us who may not have a strong background in mathematics. It is actually a problem for me as well, since I am experiencing troubles with doing homework. I was recommended to check this article https://edubirdie.org/can-you-get-caught-using-edubirdie/ that might shed light on how to use online assistance. So if you do not have enough math skills, it is a great option to check help on the internet.
Thank you so much. We’re figuring how to cut a board to fit into a space in a 100 year old family home that has probably been worked on by a dozen people doing their own thing. I just told my adult son that it was 8″ and 3 little marks. So glad that I found you. He likes the idea of the marking measure tape since his eye sight is failing. Keep up the good work.
Mind blown away, it’s like I already knew how to do this! Just need a better geometry lite understanding. So, thank you!
I can totally relate to struggling with reading a tape measure! I never fully understood all the small lines either until I had to figure it out for a project. This guide breaks it down so clearly—it’s exactly what I needed. Lately, I’ve also been having trouble with my college assignments, so I searched online for help and found a great resource here https://essaysonline.org/paper-don-review/ that has been a useful review of online assistant. Thanks for making measuring less confusing, and I’ll definitely be referring back to this.
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Great tips for understanding tape measures, especially for those who aren’t naturally math-oriented! Breaking it down into simple steps really makes measuring less intimidating. Thanks for making DIY easier
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Thanks for demystifying it!
I really enjoyed this post! It’s refreshing to see someone openly admit that tape measures can be tricky to read — you’re definitely not alone. The way you broke it down into simple terms makes it so much more approachable for those of us who aren’t naturally ‘math-minded.’