Measuring tapes are used to measure distances and objects. Most measuring tapes in the United States are marked to measure in inches, feet and yards. Whatever system you use to measure something, it is useful to be able to convert measurements within a system as well as into other units of measurement. A tape measure is much handier than a ruler. It can be bought in lengths from 6 to 120 feet and some are even electronic. Tape-Measures.net describes the following major steps for using a measuring tape:-

Step One

Pull the tape straight out of its case with one hand.

Step Two

Note the markings on the tape. Each mark indicates a 1/16-inch increment. There is usually an arrow indicator at 16-inch increments to show the typical distance between wall studs. The diamonds are for marking joists and studs at points one-fifth of 8 feet.

Step Three

Look at the back of the tape. Some manufacturers include lumber tables or other useful information.

Step Four

Line up the 1-inch mark with one end of the object being measured. Sometimes the metal hook becomes loose and can cause your measurement to be off by up to 1/16 of an inch. Be sure to deduct 1 inch from the measurement.

Step Five

Slide the thumb lock down to hold the tape in place. Not all tapes have this feature and newer ones have an automatic lock with a hold release instead.

Above mentioned are the steps for using the tapes & below are some tips and warnings to follow during the use of measuring tapes.

Tips

. Mark your measurements with a caret rather than a line so the mark is exact and not affected by the width of the line.

. Coat the metal blade with paste wax or spray it with silicone to keep rust at bay and maintain smooth sliding.

Warnings

. Be careful not to cut yourself when recalling the tape. Its sides are dull but they can still cut.

. . Don't pull the tape out past the allowable length or you may not be able to return it to its case.