QCI Shop Floor Training  ·  Reference Card

How to Read a
Tape Measure

Advance one point at a time. Point to the marks, say the numbers out loud, and practice on real scrap before you cut.

0123456789101112
Shop Board
Point 1 of 11The 3 Rules
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The 3 Rules to Remember

01

The big numbers are whole inches.

02

The spaces between inches are fractions.

03

Each tiny mark on most tape measures is 1/16 inch.

A tape measure is like a ruler that rolls up. The numbers usually show inches — there are 12 inches in 1 foot. Many tapes also mark feet in red or with larger numbers.

Use the ← → arrow keys, or click a progress bar to jump to that point.