Tape Measure Marks, Fractions, Imperial & Metric

Marks on the Tape plus Fractions, Imperial & Metric

Red Triangles

There are Red Rectangle with Numbers at 16”, 32", 48" 64", 80", 96" and every 16" to the length of the Tape. The Marked Graduation is used by several Tradesman laying out a Pattern of locations 16" center to center. Examples of the Markings in the Image below.

Black Diamonds

The little Black Diamond at 19 - 3/16", 38 - 3/8", 57 - 9/16". 76 - 3/4", 96" and at Spacing of 19 3/16" until the of the Tape. The Marks are also used by different Trades for Spacing center to center of 19 3/16".

End Hook

The moveable End Piece is sometimes called the End Hook or Hooked End Tab, This Hook has a Specific Function when measuring.

Measuring the length of any material you Hook the End of the Tape over the edge, the End Hook is pulled out and you get an Accurate Measurement.

Measuring Material or Distance where you Push the End Hook against something it moves in and you get an Accurate Measurement.

The movement of the End Hook equals the thickness of the End Hook, to compensate for inside or Outside Measurements.

The End Hook has a Slot opening that is used for Hooking a Nail to hold the Tape while Measuring. The Nail must also be at 90 degrees to get an Accurate Measurement.

The End Hook is an exact 90 degree angle from the Tape, if you should Drop your Tape and the End Hook gets bent even the Slightest you will no longer get Accurate Measurements. Protect the End Hook Angle at 90 degrees.

Marks on the Tape and other Tape Measure Facts

The 1" Divided

Some Tape Measures have the graduations of the inch marked on the Tape (Like the Example below) for those who don't use Tapes very often, to me they are confusing. If you know what the Marks Represent you will be able to read the Tape Faster.

The Imperial Inch is divided in Halves, Quarters, Eights, Sixteenth, Thirty Seconds until you get into Decimals.

Divide 1 inch by 2 you have 2 -1/2" increments
Divide 1 inch by 4 you have 4 - 1/4" increments
Divide 1 inch by 8 you have 8 - 1/8" increments
Divide 1 inch by 16 you have 16 - 1/16" increments
Divide 1 inch by 32 you have 32 - 1/32" increments

The Diagram in the Image below Shows how the inch is Divided.

The Metric System

To my knowledge there are only 3 countries in the World that are not using the Metric System, Myanmar, Liberia and the United States.

I remember in the 70' the US tried to convert to the Metric System. That was an unpopular Idea and only partially took effect. Sometimes I think we should have made the Switch and it would be common usage today. The following a Small Comparison.

Converting the Imperial System to Metric