Ever stared blankly at a tape measure, unsure which tiny line meant what? You're not alone! Mastering this essential tool is easier than you think. This guide breaks down the mystery.
The largest markings usually represent inches, clearly numbered. Between the inch marks, you'll find smaller lines indicating fractions of an inch. The most common are halves (1/2), quarters (1/4), eighths (1/8), and sixteenths (1/16). The longer the line, the larger the fraction it represents.
For example, the longest line between two inch marks is the 1/2 inch mark. Lines of medium length are quarter-inch marks, and so on. Practice identifying these fractions! Look for markings indicating feet as well, often in a different color or with a different symbol.
Pro Tip: Many tape measures have a black diamond marking at every 19.2 inches. This is used for spacing studs in construction. With a little practice, you'll be measuring like a pro in no time!
