Beginner's Guide: How to Read a Metric Tape Measure Step-by-Step

How do you read a METRIC Tape Measure? Watch this video. I show you what the different lines on a metric tape measure are for and how to read them. You can use your tape measure like a pro in no time.
Welcome to our beginner-friendly guide on how to read a metric tape measure! If you're new to DIY projects or have little experience with tape measures, this video is perfect for you. We will walk you through the process of understanding and interpreting the markings on a metric tape measure, empowering you to measure with confidence.
In this video, we will break down the various components of a metric tape measure in a beginner-friendly manner. We understand that reading a tape measure can be intimidating, but fear not! Our step-by-step tutorial will guide you through the process, ensuring that you grasp each concept easily.
We will introduce you to the main millimeter markings on the tape measure. You'll learn how to identify these lines and understand their significance in measuring length, width, and height. With practice, you can make accurate measurements for your DIY projects.
Throughout the video, we will explain the purpose of the smaller centimeter and millimeter divisions, which will help you achieve even more precise measurements. By understanding these divisions, you'll be able to measure with greater accuracy and avoid common mistakes.
But reading a metric tape measure involves more than just lines and numbers. We will also discuss the various symbols and indicators that you may encounter on a tape measure. From the end hook to the imperial/metric conversion tables, we'll cover all the essential information you need to know.
Table of Contents:
00:00 - Start
00:51 - 100 cm
01:07 - mm on a tape measure
01:41 - Measuring in metric
02:22 - A centimeter is 100th of a Meter
02:44 - click-start
03:12 - Why is my tape measure hook loose?
#howtoreadametrictapemeasure #beginnersguidetotapemeasure #metricmeasurement #DIYmeasurements #metricmeasurementtools #learntoreadatapemeasure #tapemeasurebasics

[@rowenarrow]

Thank you. I am in my 40s and never knew how to read these things properly. That all changed with this video

[@Recycledhero]

I wish I had teachers like you growing up. Simple, well spoken, and easy to follow. Thank you for this! :D

[@MeasuringMarvels]

@Recycledhero, I hope this ended up being helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@OnGod1007]

I'm Canadian and I was never taught this and I've never had to use it and I'm 40 years old thanks for the video my man

[@MeasuringMarvels]

+Kenneth Gaudette Kenneth Gaudette, I hope this ended up being helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@CrazyCranker]

Thank you for the refresher. As an American living in Japan there are situations where I have to measure using metric. This is the best tutorial quick to the point on You Tube. :)

[@MeasuringMarvels]

Scotty Zone7, Thanks for watching, I'm glad it was helpful.

[@CheZfrmdaWestWisc]

@@MeasuringMarvels could you show us how you build a home like how they size your materials how you commonly space your framing members so it makes sence with metric like a 4x8 of plywood would make sence in metric or 16" centers don't seem logical so are there standardized numbers for metric countries that do? That could make us wrap our head around metric better without all the weird conversions.

[@ScottsTechTips]

@@CheZfrmdaWestWisc Actually, I don't know the standard placements of house framing based on metric. I found some results via google by searching for "home construction stud spacing in European countries" Thanks for visiting my channel

[@AprendaInglescomigo]

Now that’s what I call a great video thanks a lot. Very insightful and informative.

[@CH-rn7bk]

man thank you for such a brreak down. starting a new job soon needed a refresher THANK YOU!

[@MeasuringMarvels]

+C H C H, Thanks for watching, I'm glad it was helpful.

[@julietokereke9874]

I love this video, because I have benefited a lot as a fresher. I can now measure cm, m and mm correctly. You are a genius!

[@MeasuringMarvels]

+Juliet Okereke Thanks for watching. What other videos should I make? I'm always looking for new ideas to help people out.

[@phindilematsebane7451]

Thank you...very informative ❤

[@MeasuringMarvels]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching

[@pally6950]

Sweet video, glad someone can explain it simply and calming. Gotta send this to the little broski so he can learn this as well. Thank you much sir.

[@MeasuringMarvels]

You're very welcome. My other video about measuring feet & inches received so many comments about Metric, I figured it was time to make this video. Thanks for watching.

[@richlijacanacua]

Thank you!

[@MeasuringMarvels]

+Richli Nacua Richli Nacua Thanks for watching. Glad you liked it. If there are other topics you'd like to see, please reply and let me know.

[@timhofstetter5654]

SAE (inch) measuring tapes are also metric. By definition. They're just fractional instead of decimal. All measuring devices are metric by definition.

[@trainersInformation]

Very helpful, thank you very much

[@MeasuringMarvels]

@trainersInformation, I hope this ended up being helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@tjWetryAgain]

Great explanation

[@MeasuringMarvels]

TJ Jele Thanks for watching. Glad you liked it. If there are other topics you'd like to see, please reply and let me know.

[@sampsonpaintsil9839]

That’s a thank you 🙏

[@MeasuringMarvels]

+@sampsonpaintsil9839 @sampsonpaintsil9839 Thanks for watching. Glad you liked it. If there are other topics you'd like to see, please reply and let me know.

[@TORAH-613]

i am a 53 yr old american. And i have never used metric measurements. however I want to learn because I want to build a house to retire in using only the metric system. and this video cleared up a lot for me. Thank you. Now I have to go online and buy a metric tape since my box store here in the US does not sell metric tape measures.

[@4eightyvolt]

Home Depot and Lowes have them but only through their website or app. And it'll be Metric/SAE combo only. For Metric only tape measures, eBay or Amazon is your best bet.

[@jerry-st7rc]

Honestly the American way is simpler and faster for building a home. The metric lines on a tape are so small where as an American one they are easier to see basically. You really just need to know eighths, a quarter, a half and 3/4. 16ths you dont have to worry as much on most things building a home. In the uk, you have to be in a harness when above 6 feet off the ground.

[@mikebrannan1155]

Thanks very commendable

[@MeasuringMarvels]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it.

[@jerry-st7rc]

As an American carpenter I prefer ours. When you are in GO mode I prefer less lines. We normally just use eighth, quarter, half and three quarters. If it's a 16th we just say an eighth "fat". Or slightly less than a eighth we say "take the line"

[@okuomoseonaghise9160]

Thanks so much

[@MeasuringMarvels]

+OKUOMOSE Onaghise OKUOMOSE Onaghise, I hope this ended up being helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@hopeofglory1600]

Thank you

[@MeasuringMarvels]

Hope of Glory Thanks for watching. Glad you liked it. If there are other topics you'd like to see, please reply and let me know.

[@danielihenacho]

thank you

[@MeasuringMarvels]

+Daniel Ihenacho Daniel Ihenacho, I hope this ended up being helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@julienvandenbroeck4378]

Metrisch is gewoon het beste, ik werkte voor een Amerikaanse firma zij zijn overgeschakeld naar metrisch volg hun voorbeeld.

[@PeterEban-ng2zw]

Interesting thanks

[@MeasuringMarvels]

Peter Eban, I hope this ended up being helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@folop86]

both metric and imperial work, one is just easier. good video.

[@MeasuringMarvels]

Have you seen my imperial video? So many people commented about using metric that I made this video.

[@Redawesomeoby]

I just gave up on imperial tape measures in general and all the fractions.

[@adzijderlaan7070]

It is like the dollar. Cent means 1/100 so 100 cent is a dollar, 100 centimeter is a meter 10k dollar is 10,000 dollar 10 km is 10 kilometer is 10,000 meter. By the way I like to mention Simon Stevin for using (inventing) the decimal. See wikipedia.

[@tomantino5075]

How to read "mm" to "fractional inches"??

[@MeasuringMarvels]

How to read? Or how to convert? I use a metal ruler that has both for easy comparing from one to the other.

[@akaredcrossbow]

For me, imperial is much easier than this. Maybe one day I will figure out how to read a metric tape.

[@KalinAllen]

What kind of metric measuring tape are you using?

[@MeasuringMarvels]

PG85 8M by Komelon.

[@bevturquoise4651]

You teach well, thank you but I still do not understand why the metal piece moves at all. Thanks.

[@garywheeley5108]

Uk 🇬🇧 we've used metric in construction for 40 plus years all we use is metres and millimetres we dont use centimeters just complicates things so 7643 means 7 metres and 643 millimetres not 7 metres 64 centimeters and 3 millimetres 🤔

[@MeasuringMarvels]

Good point. I'll mention this in my next metric video. Thanks for watching.

[@danikanskywalker2119]

Same in Australia... I've worked in architecture and construction for over 25 years, everything is mm. We also never actually say "millimetres". We say mills or nothing at all. If someones says "cut me a 90x45 stud at 2740" you know exactly what they mean

[@CE_Channel]

8:03PM//2-19-24

[@kathycarnley7127]

How many inces are there in 100cm

[@MeasuringMarvels]

39.3701 inches. I have another video for metric on my channel. Enjoy.