How Tape Measures Work

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Tape measures are one of the most used tools in the DIYers tool belt. Just about every project we tackle requires a tape measure– from framing an entire room, to hanging a single frame, the tape measure gives us distance measurements accurately and precisely.

With so much riding on a single tool, it’s worth taking some time to get to know the tape measure better. Think you know everything about one already? Well, here’s 4 fun things you might not know about your tape. They’ll help you with the next job, and hey, you just might be able to impress your friends.

1. The metal stop at the end of a tape moves on purpose. Have you ever noticed that the metal stop at the end of a tape measure moves above 1/16 of an inch? That movement is not an indication of poor craftmanship. In fact, if the piece didn’t move, some of your measurements would be inaccurate. The piece moves so that the tape is accurate for both inside and outside measurements. The metal stop moves by its own width to accomodate this.

2. Many tape measures are precise to 1/32 of an inch. But, since the 32nd marks are distracting, tapes usually only carry them for the first few inches. In the picture above, the tape measure stops counting 32nds after the first foot.

3. Tape measures have red indicators every 16 inches. These special marks are used most frequently for on-center stud & joist spacing, where a common stud and joist framing distance is 16 inches on center (OC). (Note that 3×16 = 48 inches, the width of a typical piece of drywall or plywood.

4. Many tape measures also have diamond or triangle marks every 19.2 inches. These little, easy to miss marks are another option for spacing studs. Instead of 6 studs or joists over an 8′ span, the 19.2″ marks allow 5 to be used per 8 foot section. The picture at the right shows the second diamond, just after 38 inches.

Recommended Tape Measure

If you’re looking for a good tape measure, we recommend one tape that will handle off of your DIY projects, the Stanley Fat Max 35′ Tape Measure. The Fat Max is a 35′, 1.25 inch wide tape that’s both easy to read, and provides plenty of tape so you won’t run short on longer measurements.

What do you think? Did you know these fun facts? Got any other tape measure trivia?