How to use a tape measure

These are two types of flat tape with measurements marked along their length. Better quality measuring tapes are made of fibreglass and are wide enough to rest in place when they are laid on the ground.

Most measuring tapes come with:

• a D-ring which you can place around a peg to hold the tape in position
• a hook which you can use to fix the tape to the ground.

To use a measuring tape:

Use your hand, the D-ring or the hook to hold the tape at one end.









Remember to measure from the far end of the metal piece, not from where the tape itself starts.








Run the tape lengthwise across the object or distance you are measuring.









The measurements are usually metric (millimetres, centimetres and metres) on one side and imperial (inches, feet and yards) on the other. You will usually use metric measurements.

Read the number at the other end of the tape.