Question 1

What are tape measures used for?

Accepted Answer

You can use a tape measure to measure just about anything shorter than the tape. If you get a good tape measure, you can look forward to measuring items not limited to, but including, 2x4’s, spans between walls, heights and widths of walls, diagonal distances like the hypotenuse of a triangle, the circumference of circles or any measurement across an oval or polygon or any kind, up to and including the distance between two random points anywhere in the universe if you had a long enough tape measure, the distance between your bedroom and your TV, the TV itself, your bed, anything in your bed (errrr…), and even household items like cutlery, chemical spills, your cat’s litterbox and your cat, and even our favorite everyday items like CD’s, forklifts, cans of Truly and HARD MTN DEW, computers and even gas stations. About the only thing you can’t measure with a tape measure is your own life satisfaction. But some mysteries of our realm must endure — else we would never conceive new systems to try to measure them with.

Right?

Question 2

Are tape measures accurate?

Accepted Answer

Yup — categorically. In fact, teams of metrologists (scientists who study measurement) perform pretty fascinating experiments to calibrate tape measures (see "Sources," below).

On most tape measures, the hook shifts between 1/16 and ⅛ inch to compensate for whether it’s being pushed or pulled.

When you get a new one, you can always check it against a tape or ruler you know to be accurate.

Question 3

What makes a good tape measure?

Accepted Answer

The eye, or in this case the measuring techniques, of the beholder. A tape measure should be easy for the user to use, whatever that looks like. Some will choose a small tape measure with a narrow blade for measuring fabrics or minute distances. Some will want a burly, simple tape for construction work. Still others might need a hundred-footer for shooting the arrow down a fence line. But as long as you know what you’re looking at when you whip out your tape, you’re headed in the right direction.

Question 4

Are all tape measures the same?

Accepted Answer

Nope. I’ve had two of the same exact tape (same brand, same designation, same length) at the same time before, and liked one better than the other. Different tapes do different things well. You could have one that’s really only handy for long distances, and one that’s only three feet long but measures increments in 1/32 of an inch.

Question 5

Why is a tape measure curved?

Accepted Answer

For rigidity and accuracy. The curve helps standout because the cross-sectional shape is more resilient than a flat line. That, in turn, makes the tape resilient over time. It can (and will) fold over repeatedly and still spring back into shape.

The curve also helps you mark accurately. Because only part of it touches whatever surface you’re measuring, you can turn the blade toward you more easily than if it were flat.

Question 6

What is the red dot on a tape measure?

Accepted Answer

The little red dot or diamond markings occur every 19.2” on a tape measure. That’s a little weird considering a tape measure represents distance in fractions (not in decimals). But there’s a method to the madness.

The dots exist to underpin the world of engineered trusses in framing carpentry. You can use trusses for floor joists or rafters, and they're stronger than dimensional lumber. For our purposes, there’s no reason to fully unpack that. It’s just important to know that, like many things in the construction world, the 19.2” system is based on the length of an 8’ sheet of plywood (96”). 19.2 x 5 = 96, meaning you can use the diamonds to lay out five engineered trusses over the length of a sheet.

Question 7

Why is the hook on the end of a tape measure loose?

Accepted Answer

To compensate for whether it’s being pushed into a surface or pulled against a surface. It’s pretty hard to wrap your brain around that, but it’s true. The reason it moves is to make up for the thickness of the hook. Watch this YouTube video for a detailed, and oddly enthusiastic, explanation.

Question 8

Why are tape measures yellow?

Accepted Answer

For high contrast and easy reading.

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