How Do You Read Measurements Taken With Dial Calipers?

Calipers are used for repeatable accuracy of inside, outside, step & depth measurements. Though not as easily to read as their digital counterparts, dial calipers display measurements very clearly and are generally regarded as easier to read than traditional Vernier calipers. As an added benefit, since analog, dial calipers are not reliant on batteries or a power source.
THERE ARE FOUR WAYS TO MEASURE USING CALIPERS:
Outside: To take an outside measurement, slide the caliper jaws open, and place the caliper over the object to be measured. Slide the jaws until they contact the workpiece.
Inside: To take an inside measurement, you must slide the caliper closed, and place the inside-measuring jaws (found at the top of the caliper) into the space to be measured. Slide the jaws apart as far as they can go to obtain the inside measurement.
Depth: To measure depth, utilize the depth blade that extends out the bottom (or far end) of the caliper. Press the main bar of the caliper against the top of the hole, and then open the caliper until the depth blade hits bottom to determine the depth of the object you are measuring.
Step: To determine the step measurement, open the caliper and place the caliper's sliding jaw on the upper step of the workpiece. Then, open the caliper until the fixed jaw contacts the lower step.
WHAT TYPES OF DIAL CALIPERS ARE THERE?
There are several different types of dial calipers:
.100” per revolution: the most popular type by a huge margin. (see 57-015-155)
.200” revolution: not as common, and sometimes found on 4” dial calipers. (see 57-015-150)
Metric: not very common in the U.S., but very helpful if you work in metric measurements. (57-015-005)
Fractional: extremely uncommon, but handy if you need calipers that read in fractions. (see 57-015-064)
Note: Some “inch” calipers include millimeters on the main scale, but since the dial is not used, it’s only a rough measurement.
HOW DO YOU READ DIAL CALIPERS MEASUREMENTS?
First, we need to know the terminology for each space. Since calipers read three places past the decimal, the correct way to read them is what’s written in the quotations, below.
1.000" = “one inch”.
0.100" = one tenth of an inch, or “one hundred thousandths” of an inch.
0.010" = one hundredth of an inch, or “ten thousandths” of an inch.
0.001" = “one thousandth” of an inch.
0.0001" = one, one hundred thousandth of an inch, or one tenth of a thousandth of an inch, or simply, “one tenth”.
HOW DO YOU READ DIAL CALIPERS?
FOLLOW THIS SIMPLE FOUR-STEP PROCESS TO READING DIAL CALIPERS:
STEP 1: Read the whole inch (example: 1.000) measurement first.
Just like on any ruler, yard stick, tape measurer, etc., if it’s one inch or more, we read the whole inch (or inches) measurement first. In this example, we have one inch.
STEP 2: Next, read the whole tenth of an inch (example: 1.200).
On the main scale of your calipers, each inch is divided into ten parts, making each one a tenth of an inch. After you read the inches, notice how many whole tenths past the inch can be seen. In this example, we have one inch and two hundred thousandths.
STEP 3: Now read the hundredths (example: 1.230). The needle makes one full revolution around the dial for each tenth of an inch. The dial has 100 equally spaced lines, and every tenth line has a two-digit number (eg.: 10, 20, 30, etc.) Read the last number that the needle goes past. Our example above is one inch and two hundred, thirty thousandths.
STEP 4: Finally, read the thousandths (example: 1.234). Count the number of lines between the needle and the last two-digit number and add them to that two-digit number. The result we have in the example here is one inch and two hundred, thirty four thousandths.
DIAL CALIPER TECH TIPS:
Maintenance & Cleaning: Before use, gently but thoroughly remove oil, dust and dirt from the entire surface of the dial caliper, taking care not to damage the measuring or reference faces.
Zero Point Confirmation: Before taking a measurement, clean and close the jaws and check that the dial needle points to "0" on the dial face.
Dial Caliper Usage: Properly close the caliper on the workpiece. Do not allow dirt, chips, etc., to enter the rack. Otherwise, the rack and pinion could be damaged, which would result in reduced accuracy and improper zero adjustment.
Caliper Storage: When not in use, properly store your caliper in an environment free of heat, dust, humidity, oil, and mist.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CALIPER MEASURING TOOLS?
Download our valuable guide on the proper selection and usage of digital, dial, and Vernier calipers.
bit.ly/31S427N
For more product information, click here:
www.travers.com/category/meas...
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[@StargazerFS128]

I’m here cause I was organizing my fathers toolbox I inherited when he passed on several years ago, I found a case with a Mitutoyo dial caliper in it, this video was great! now I’m gonna measure stuff around the house all day.

[@raccoonbeans6564]

Keep them forever there really expensive and high quality

[@murphytoadster9864]

You just taught me a huge chunk of information that I'll carry for the rest of my life, thanks Mr.

[@wonbythe1]

Thank you, Murphy. That is an incredible amount of encouragement.

[@nonenonnenopenonenomorefor5556]

Wow I just got my dad's ENCO caliper out today dial he did machine work I have had them all most 10 years I had buddy refresh my memory from high school he'd be 93 in September

[@junkyardprojekts5041]

I would like to say thank you for these lessons/ reviews. I have a juvenile background in maintenance and mechanics. Im starting as a machinist and with your lessons on how to read a micrometer and calipers im already more confident and motivated to learn what this trades has to offer.

[@wonbythe1]

Thank you, JumkYard Projekts. I can't describe how encouraging that is.

[@ADAPTATION7]

I feel less stupid now. Thx.

[@matthewgaul8197]

Thank you for the refresher course. My dad taught me when I was about 10 now haven't touched one in 16 years I forgot, so thank you

[@wonbythe1]

Yeah, it definitely goes away if you don't keep using it. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@1smgbtch7235]

Thank you this prepared me for training at my new job !

[@nathansanchez3405]

Thank you for that great tutorial!! That's exactly what my brain needed to see and hear to make sense of it.

[@traverstool1]

Great to hear! You're so welcome!

[@wonbythe1]

Thank you, nathansanchez3405. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@WCC209]

Just what I needed!!! Thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@traverstool1]

Thanks for the kind words and we’re glad it helped!

[@wonbythe1]

Thank you. I'm glad to have been helpful.

[@dysonsphere]

I'm 44 and I was shouting out the answers like in grade school. Great video and explanation!

[@wonbythe1]

Thank you, dusonsphere. Thanks for the encouragement, and I'm super-excited that it was helpful for you.

[@mefirst4266]

DID YOU GET ANY RIGHT ?

[@relationshipmoments1]

Thank you 👍. This helped me help my son on a quiz he had to do.

[@thelighthasbeentaken2344]

Thank you so much. You explain that so easily a lot better than the person trying to train me.

[@wonbythe1]

Thanks, The light has been taken. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@freedom8gemini2]

Great refresher video...TY

[@chriswestrud2800]

A great video.Thanks, I give this two thumbs up!

[@generalgrudge]

Great video. Had a training class today where the instructor tried to teach us this but I had a hard time understanding him. You completely cleared that up in less than 6 mins. Thx. One thing that would make the video even better imo is if you would add the written number to the answer parts of the video so the people learning can see it visually as well. ++

[@wonbythe1]

Thank you, generalgrudge. That's very encouraging! And what a great idea, to "add the written number..."! Thanks for the great input.

[@leelafarlett3535]

You found that "encouraging", thats great! I also agree, that by adding the written number would have helped . @@wonbythe1

[@pauljohnson1113]

Awesome. The 9mm load I'm working up has a COAL length of 1.125, just like an example in the tutorial. I bought a dial caliper now that I'm loading semi-auto pistol and this lesson was perfect. Thanks.

[@traverstool1]

Glad we could help!

[@wonbythe1]

Thanks Paul. I'm glad to have been helpful.

[@JacquelineHSmith]

This is excellent! I plan to introduce calipers using this video. Thank you.

[@wonbythe1]

I'm glad you found it helpful, JacquelineHSmith.

[@DaddyTenzo]

Ive watched 2 videos on 2 different ones and i feel like a god now

[@tonybrutal]

Great videos and crystal clear explanations.

[@wonbythe1]

Thanks tonybrutal.

[@lel_juan]

Nice teaching , dial calipers not only are precise, they look cool and interesting measuring tool. After using electronic ones i prefer this one. Also using dial calipers makes you way aware of the measures, digital ones like all electronic stuff can go faulty. Meanwhile this one is more resistant 👍

[@wonbythe1]

I agree completely, lel_juan. The only thing I use digital calipers for is when I'm going back and forth between imperial and metric measurements.

[@robertboyd3863]

Very good, cleared up a few questions I still had

[@wonbythe1]

I'm glad it was helpful, robertboyd3863.

[@Triste916]

Thank you sir. Well explained.

[@wonbythe1]

Thanks Wes. 😊

[@mefirst4266]

THANK YOU GOOD EXPLANATION. I JUST GOT MY DIAL CALIPER AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE THE NUMBERS.

[@wonbythe1]

Thank you, mefirst4266. I'm glad it was helpful.

[@IBelievegetready]

Awesome video I work with CNC machines this really helped me

[@wonbythe1]

Thanks, promise673. I've enjoyed working with CNC machines too.

[@christopherphares3399]

Thanks for this. Very helpful

[@wonbythe1]

Thanks, Christopher. I'm glad it was useful to you. (Kurt)

[@meggiehawblitzel]

Quick and helpful, all I need to know, thank you!

[@unclepaulie3320]

Thank you

[@peanutsmith1462]

Thanks that helps me out alot

[@greggdsciotto8952]

Thank you!

[@markjackson4285]

Very helpful thankyou.

[@andrewwolf4430]

I started out with verynear 😮calipers then graduated to dial calipers. So much easier. But the digital calipers are the first ones I grab when I need to measure

[@wonbythe1]

Hi Andrew. Digital calipers definitely do have their place. Nothing converts from inch to milimeters easier than digital measuring tools do.

[@space.weather]

Thank you 🌸

[@JohnMiller-ng8gl]

Great video. Thanks!

[@traverstool1]

You're welcome!

[@gigirf3022]

Thanks 🙏🏾

[@samimecaniqetelectrique5712]

THANK YOU

[@mafosa8519]

“Pretty cut dry explanation!”.. Larry

[@traverstool1]

Thanks Larry!

[@DethronerX]

Thanka!

[@denniswilder3014]

Nicely done

[@wonbythe1]

Thank you, Dennis. I hope it was helpful.

[@denniswilder3014]

@@wonbythe1 very i am trying to build my first drag race snowmobile motor and needed a refresher course

[@wonbythe1]

That's totally cool! I race motorcycles myself. Not too many sleds here in South Carolina.

[@matthall7899]

Thank you for the simple yet very informative video. But I'm a little confused, my Mitutoyo dial calipers have two 0s on it. One positioned at 12 o-clock and the other at 6 o-clock with 1-99 hashmarks following each one. Does this chainge how to interpret the reading, and if so how?

[@tomalophicon]

Could be a different resolution

[@taylorsellers5244]

What is the *->| |

[@wonbythe1]

If you still have any questions, just let us know.

[@cicerobg]

Good explanation, but much easier to use metric.

[@wonbythe1]

Oh man, @cicerobg -- do I ever agree with you!!! The metric system makes so much more sense, which is what makes it a lot easier. Way back in the 1970s, the USA started switching to metric, but then we stopped part way in, and using both metric and imperial, resulting in even more confusion. (Sorry for the history lesson. It's just crazy!)

[@Rynos9Lives]

Need to explain the mm side more. I don't have a dial I have marks on the top edge, 0, 2,4,6,8,10 and obviously have the standard 0,5,10,15,20,25 on the bottom. It's accurate just need to convert it I guess.

[@wonbythe1]

Hi Ryno. The metric measurements on standard (inch) calipers can only give you a rough, vague idea of the size you're measuring. The dial & needle only read in inches. To read millimeters, it's best to either get metric calipers, or digital calipers that switch between inches to millimeters.

[@Rynos9Lives]

@@wonbythe1 I just used a conversion table. Thank you

[@traverstool1]

Thanks Kurt!

[@archael18]

Why is that your favorite when you have to compute a few things while a digital just tells you straight up and can even tell you in fractions?

[@wonbythe1]

Hi Jon. After using dial calipers for so long, doing "the calculations" comes instantly and naturally. There are no batteries to die. On good, high quality dial calipers, even though they only read to thousandths (0.001"), you can see how close the needle is to a line, and get a rough idea of how many tenths (0.0001") away from the line you are.

[@derekdoane1765]

For an outside measurement, wouldn't you want to find the highest spot?

[@wonbythe1]

Yes, assuming you're not measuring a groove, or any other type of a recess. But you'll need to find the smallest measurement of the highest spot. At 5:35 into this video, you'll notice me rocking the calipers back & forth to find the smallest measurement.

[@kracksmith4ejm1]

what happens if it lands between the 1000's of an inch, or 1/4 or 3/4 between the 1000's of an inch?

[@wonbythe1]

Hi kracksmith4ejm1. For that level of accuracy, I would recommend using a micrometer. However, if the pointer is 1/2 way past a line, you can add 0.0005" to that number. If it's 1/4 past a line, add 0.00025"; if it's 3/4 past, add 0.00075", etc... But again, since the accuracy is ±0.001" for calipers, to be certain of an accurate measurement, a micrometer is the better tool.

[@email16v]

I have no stake in this field other than the fact that I am a hobbiest who needs to measure screw gauges, wire sizes,etc.. what kills me is how we got to dividing an inch into 10 units. We had a system that was already base 10 ...the metric system and we decided we still wanted the mfn inch! Use the gd metric system!

[@wonbythe1]

I do apologize for that, email16v. If the choice was mine to make, we're have gone to the metric system back in the 1970s.

[@tomalophicon]

I use both. I find it's the ignorant who complain about the imperial system as they aren't quite intelligent enough to grasp it. Keep practising and you'll get there champ.

[@bjornl9458]

Set the zero!

[@wonbythe1]

Great point, Bjorn. This wasn't intended to show how to use them, or it would have needed to include much more. The point here was simply to help people learn how to read them. Absolutely, though -- clean the jaws and check the zero before each use. Thanks for pointing this out.

[@bjornl9458]

@wonbythe1 Yeah I hear yah. It's just an easy thing to miss if you use them quick. Your video was on point and informed

[@wonbythe1]

Thanks. I should probably do another video on how to use them.

[@aaronairn]

why say "eight hundred and seventy five thousandths of an inch" when you can just say "point eight seven five inches". Less confusing, and less wordy.

[@folditcuzucan]

pointless comment tellin a somone to be less educational

[@eddiekulp1241]

Travers sells some very cheap Chinese dial calipers , there junk

[@traverstoolelearning2391]

I agree, Eddie. They do serve a purpose in places like a production environment where accuracy isn't key, and they're likely to get dropped or misused.

[@wonbythe1]

eddiekulp1241, Travers offers a wide variety of calipers and other tools. Calipers include brands like Mitutoyo, Brown & Sharpe, and Starrett. The cheaper brands have their purpose, and are popular with some users.

[@traverstool1]

Have technical questions send us an email at [e-mail] !