How to Read a Tape Measure: 6 Handy Measuring Tips

Tape measures are tools architects and interior designers use to measure space or objects. Measuring tape is thin and flexible; some are made from metal (for retractable tape measures), while other tape measures are made from either cloth or plastic. Each tape measure features marks with straight lines, which indicate feet, inches, and fractions of inches.

Measuring correctly can help save you time and resources, two of the most important elements of any interior design project.

• They help you determine the design style. Getting exact measurements of the amount of space you have to work with can determine what design style you choose, and how long the project will take to complete.
• They help you avoid costly mistakes. A feet and inches calculator can help you add up your measurements accurately, which means there is less of a chance you’ve made a mathematical mistake when calculating your space or making size comparisons.

Many standard tape measuring tools come with both imperial units and metric (the latter of which is used for measuring outside of the United States). You can use the imperial system for measuring inches or feet, or the metric system for measuring centimeters or millimeters. You can also use a conversion chart to convert measurements to decimal inches, depending on the format needed for your measuring. Check out the following guide:

1. 1. Inch markings. Each side has markings, with the long lines and large numbers indicating the one-inch marks (according to the imperial system). If you’re using a retractable tape measure, the tang (the metal hook on the end of the tape measure, also known as the clip) equals zero, increasing by one for each big inch mark.
2. 2. Half-inch markings. Between the inch lines are hash marks, indicating a half-inch mark. The line preceding the half-inch line refers to the number it belongs to (for instance, if the half-inch line falls between two and three, then what you’re measuring is two and a half inches).
3. 3. Quarter-inch markings. The short line between the inch and half-inch lines measures quarter inches.
4. 4. Eighth-inch markings. The little lines on the tape measure between the one-inch and quarter-inch markings measure an eighth of an inch.
5. 5. Sixteenth-inch markings. There are 16 fraction markings within each whole inch. The densely-packed smallest lines between the one-inch and half-inch markings indicate one-sixteenth of an inch (so three of these little lines would indicate three-sixteenths of an inch).
6. 6. Foot markings. On some standard tape measures, every twelfth inch will be marked with a foot mark.

Here’s a step-by-step guide for taking measurements with a tape measure.

• Use the tang to help you measure. First, you’ll need to measure from one end of the object to the other (or as far in as you need a measurement). With a retractable measuring tape, pull the tang out of the housing and hook it around the end of the item you are measuring.
• Line the object against the tape. Next, pull the mechanism across, lining up the object with the length of the tape. If using a soft ribbon tape measure (one that doesn’t hold its shape when you extend it), you can make light markings with a drawing tool and measure the space between the marks instead.
• Round up. To avoid cutting your measurements short, round up to the nearest measurement. You can always cut again to adjust it.

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