Tape measures are usually graduated in inches. The scales begin at the start of the tape which is usually marked by a metal tag, clipped to the end to stop it fraying and to provide a firm place to measure from. To make a measurement, you place the metal tag against one end of the thing you are measuring. Then unreel as much of the tape as you need to extend over the object you wish to measure, then read off the scale the number of inches that coincides with the far edge of the object.
Tapes measures come in two basic kinds, metal tapes that usually spring back into a circular housing when you press a button, and soft fabric tapes that usually you unreel and wind up by hand. The metal tapes are often used for do it yourself jobs around the house or garage, such as putting up a new set of shelves, while soft tapes are most often used for tailoring garments or soft furnishings such as drapes.
If you want to take a very accurate or exact measurement with your tape measure, then you must pay careful attention not only to the number of inches or centimeters that the tape shows you but also to any fractions of an inch.
Tapes are divided up by the lines you see printed on them. First there are the longest lines that divide the tape into inches. Each inch is divided up further, first in half inches (the next longest lines) then into quarters (shorter lines still) and finally into sixteenths (that is, into sixteen individual divisions market with the smallest lines of all).
If you are measuring fabric for drapes, then you need only measure to within a quarter on an inch. But if you are measuring out spacing to drill holes in a wooden shelf, then you need to measure as accurately as possible, to within a sixteenth of an inch.
Tapes measures come in two basic kinds, metal tapes that usually spring back into a circular housing when you press a button, and soft fabric tapes that usually you unreel and wind up by hand. The metal tapes are often used for do it yourself jobs around the house or garage, such as putting up a new set of shelves, while soft tapes are most often used for tailoring garments or soft furnishings such as drapes.
If you want to take a very accurate or exact measurement with your tape measure, then you must pay careful attention not only to the number of inches or centimeters that the tape shows you but also to any fractions of an inch.
Tapes are divided up by the lines you see printed on them. First there are the longest lines that divide the tape into inches. Each inch is divided up further, first in half inches (the next longest lines) then into quarters (shorter lines still) and finally into sixteenths (that is, into sixteen individual divisions market with the smallest lines of all).
If you are measuring fabric for drapes, then you need only measure to within a quarter on an inch. But if you are measuring out spacing to drill holes in a wooden shelf, then you need to measure as accurately as possible, to within a sixteenth of an inch.
