Reading a Ruler

The ability to take measurements quickly and accurately is a skill that is beneficial to students and professionals in a wide variety of areas. Carpentry Metal Work Construction Landscaping Farming Laboratory Work

Different instruments to take linear measurements Tape measures Scales Rulers Practice is key in learning how to read & record measurements.

Standard English Ruler Measures to the 1/16”of an inch, 16 lines between 0 and 1 (includes the 1 line) 1 3 2

A Standard English ruler can also measure to the 1/32”. Which is more accurate? A ruler is typically 1’ long. 1’ = 12”. In order to efficiently learn how to read a ruler, we need to break it down.

Each inch is marked with a vertical line and a number. 1 3 2

Every inch is divided into smaller sections that are referred to in fractions. The largest unit into which an inch is divided is ½”. The bottom number of the fraction tells us how many units per inch – two, ½ units per inch. 1 3 2

The next unit into which an inch is divided is ¼” The next unit into which an inch is divided is ¼”. There are four - ¼ units in each inch. 1 3 2

Inches are also divided into 1/8” units Inches are also divided into 1/8” units. There are eight - 1/8 units in every inch. 1 3 2

The smallest and most accurate unit that an inch is divided into are 1/16” units. There are 16 1/16 – inch units in every inch. 1 3 2

Measuring Procedure 1 Step 1 Step 2 Line up the left end of the ruler with the left edge of the material to be measured. Step 2 Record the largest inch number in the length of the material 1 1 3 2

Step 3 Determine the vertical line closest to the ending edge of the material being measured. Step 4 Count how many of the vertically marked units are included in the length of the material from the largest inch number in step 2. 11 1 3 2

Step 5 Determine what fraction to use. The top number of the fraction (numerator) is the number of units determined in step 4. The bottom number in the fraction (denominator) is determined by counting how many of the units are in the entire inch. 1 3 2

Step 6 Record entire measurement 1 11/16” **All fractions should be reduced to their lowest term. For example, 4/8” should be reduced to ½”. 1 3 2

Identify the units marked below. 1. 10/16 “= 5/8” 2. 1 1/4" 3. 1 15/16” 4. 2 1/2" 5. 3 1/16” 1 3 2 4 5

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