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How to Measure and Use a Ruler
Welcome! Mastering how to measure accurately with a ruler is essential for successful projects. This guide will help you understand how to use a ruler effectively.
What is a Ruler?
A ruler is a tool that measure the lengths or width of objects in inches or centimeters. It is common practice to use rulers as an everyday item when making choices in our life. We use rulers when measuring if a new piece of furniture will fit in our room, picking our shoe size, measuring our height, and more.
There are various types of rulers, each designed for specific measuring jobs. Below will be a description of the different rulers and how to use them for the respective purposes. But before we talk about the different rulers lets talk about the different units of measurements found on a ruler.
When it comes to measuring objects there are two main systems used, The Imperial System and The Metric System.
The Imperial System:
- The imperial system was developed from the British Empire and is baed on the human form.
- Units: Inches, feet, pounds, ounces, cups, gallons, miles, and tons
- Countries of Use: United States, Liberia and Myanmar
The Metric System:
- The metric system is a decimal-based system of measurement, based on the metre for length and the kilogram for mass, that was adopted in France in 1795 and is now used officially in almost all countries.
- Units: Meters, liters, grams, centimeters, millimeters, kilograms, milligrams, centigrams, and more.
- Countries of use: Used by most countries worldwide.
Key differences:
- Base: Imperial uses various bases (12 inches in a foot, 3 feet in a yard), while metric consistently uses base 10.
- Conversion: Metric units are easier to convert between (1000 mm = 1 m), while imperial conversions can be more complex.
- Global usage: Metric is more widely used internationally, especially in scientific and technical fields.
Standard Ruler: Reading the Ruler
The standard ruler is typically 12 inches long or 1 foot long with inches and/or centimeters marked.
Inches
- Inches: 12 inches equal 1 foot. Each foot is broken down into inches which are marked on the ruler. The longest marks on the ruler represent whole inches
- Half (1/2) Inches: On ruler inches are often divided into smaller parts (usually eights or sixteenths). The half (1/2) inch mark will be the second longest line on the ruler. Each half (1/2) mark will be midway between each inch mark.
- Quarter (1/4) inches: Halfway between each half (1/2) inch and inch line, there will be a smaller line that represents the a quarter (1/4) inch. This line is the third longest line on the ruler.
- Eighth (1/8) inches: Depending on the ruler the eighth (1/8) inch marks are the smallest or second to smallest lines on the ruler. Eighth (1/8) marks can be found between the quarter (1/4) inc marks on the ruler.
- Sixteenth (1/16) inches: If your ruler divides the inches into sixteenths, the small lines on the ruler will represent the sixteenths (1/16) inch marks. They are the lines halfway between each eighth (1/8) inch mark.
Centimeter
Centimeters is a unit of measure based on the metric system which is more often used international around the world
- Centimeters: Roughly 30 centimeters (~30.5cm) equals a 1 foot or 12 inches. A 1 foot ruler is usually 30 centimeter longs with the longest lines representing a whole centimeter.
- Half (1/2) centimeters: On ruler centimeters are often divided into smaller parts. The half (1/2) centimeter mark will be the second longest line on the ruler. Each half (1/2) mark will be midway between each centimeter mark.
- Millimeters: Between each half (1/2) centimeter line are four additional lines that represent millimeter lines. There are a total of 10 lines per centimeter
Measuring With a Standard Ruler
Steps to Measure
- Lay the object flat: Ensure the fabric is smooth and wrinkle-free for accurate measurements.
- Align the Ruler: Place the ruler alongside the edge of the fabric. Ensure it’s straight and even.
*Tip: Always start from the zero mark on the ruler, not the edge
- Read the Measurement: Look at where the edge of the fabric meets the ruler. Note the measurement closest to the edge.
*Double-check measurements for accuracy
