how to read measuring tape

To read a measuring tape, first identify the largest markings which represent full inches or centimeters depending on the tape type. For an imperial tape, the biggest marks are inches. Half-inch marks are slightly smaller, quarter- inch marks smaller than that, eighth-inch marks smaller still, and the smallest marks usually represent sixteenths of an inch. For metric tapes, the longest marks indicate centimeters, and smaller marks represent millimeters (each millimeter is 1/10 of a centimeter). Start from the zero point on the hook of the tape, align it with the start of the object, and read the length at the object's endpoint by combining the full unit and the fractional or smaller divisions as needed. Keeping the tape straight and using the lock feature, if available, will help maintain accuracy during measurement.