How to Read a US/American Tape Measure or Ruler

[@alisonmiller2708]

I feel the need to hug you with tears. Such patient instruction should be mandatory in all schools and learning environments! I wish I had teachers like you. I am inspired to be even kinder and more patient with my children. Thank you. 🕊

[@StuffUCanMake]

Your greatest legacy on earth will be teaching other KZbinrs like me how to do things properly. May God bless you!

[@seejanedrill]

aw, thanks!

[@bouser210]

Amen to that .

[@bouser210]

My pops would still be like that's not how you do it.

[@P1DiscoGina]

I'm literally crying. You have no idea. I've gone to ridiculous lengths to ask for help with knowing wtf the ruler lines mean, aside from the obvious. THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH! ❤

[@adama1294]

This was the gentlest way of explaining elementary level of math I have seen. I was expecting some of the ways tape measures are marked for framing quicker. You have the talent of a teacher.

[@seejanedrill]

thank you, Adam!

[@beatorres6871]

Great instructor indeed 💕

[@billrichardson6620]

You have the sweetest attitude and I find your voice incredibly comforting and warm. Love your content!

[@seejanedrill]

Bill Richardson thanks Bill

[@martyking6942]

Fantastic! I will send this video to my daughter. She is 44 years old and can't read a ruler. She is very intelligent and has a college degree but all of those little lines between the numbers for some reason are a great mystery to her. Your explanation is the best one I have seen.

[@seejanedrill]

Hey, that's great!

[@wawa323]

I just posted about finally learning and I just read yours about your daughter being 44, I'm 45 and just learned right now too😁

[@padoco73]

This is one of those topics that, if someone didn't know for whatever reason, might be hard to find a good way to learn. Leah, you are a gem to the maker community. Keep doing what you're doing.

[@sherryspectre217]

Thank you Leah. I am a painter and just recently started doing construction work. The tape was very intimidating to me. This really helped me understand it alot. Peace.

[@gregsmith4708]

What a tremendous human being you are; my grandchildren absolutely loved watching this. Thank you so much.

[@CrankyPantss]

Well done, Leah. It's hard to remember that a lot of people aren't exposed to fractions from a young age, like we have always been. This degree of globalization that has occurred in our lifetime has really inflamed the metric vs imperial measuring system fight. Whether you prefer the one or the other when you are measuring something specific, knowing fractions will still always be an important skill to have.

[@michelecrown2426]

This reminds me of years ago, I had a friend that couldn't read a tape measure. It was second nature to me so I couldn't understand it. I took a few minutes and did something like your demonstration here so they could relate to the different hash marks and understand what they meant. It clicked with them and to this day when I see them, they thank me for that simple lesson. I love your channel, keep up the good work.

[@alhall6219]

I just love you and your simplistic methods of teachings. The tone of your voice and the way you describe things, is so calming yet inspiring to new learners such as myself... if only, more teachers would adopt and approach teaching, with your style, then so many individuals would have a better clue on "what to do, or how to do", the skills that are lacked.

[@springkopituk5416]

Leah - I just came across this as I make my way through all of your videos. I'm not a woodworker but I am a DIY-er and one of the things I've struggled with the most is the measurements and then finding them on the take measure. As I watched this and I started to get the gist of it all of the other weird measurements (3/16, 5/32, 11/64 etc) started to click and it was like all the algebra I had ever forgotten came rushing back! Thank you, bless you, thank you ♥️ And if you ever decide to take a new career path you'd be a fantastic high school math teacher!

[@highanddryful]

Absolutely brilliantly illustrated so thanks Lee. I have never understood the inch rule on my tape measure until today after seeing your tutorial. You a truly a talented person and I appreciate your willingness to share your skills with other like me, who is less skilled.

[@Chuckx6]

By gosh, Leah, that was an amazing clear demonstration. Extremely well done. I'd already known the information but I watched it because I'm consistently surprised at what a clear, simple way you have of communicating.

[@seejanedrill]

Thanks Chuck

[@wawa323]

"omg!" I'm 45 and only now did I really understand. No one could make me get it, not the teachers nor any video or book. I just could not get it but low and behold I get it. I finally get it! You are amazing! Mahalo!🤙

[@benjaminrhodes9611]

There are millions of people in this country who have no idea that this is how measuring works. They could learn a lot from you Leah!

[@trishjordan8859]

OMG Leah, I am 62 years old and through necessity have learned to do many diy projects. However I avoided more than I accomplished as even tho I have what is considered a gifted IQ. I have always found anything with math impossible to retain and the tape measure has always been a getting the idea of a space tool, not the accurate measure of a space. I am now retired and have wanted to work with wood since 6th grade summer school woodshop class. I have never had the time and money in the same place before now, but I want to learn. This one video ( and I have watched many of yours), has given me a concept I can understand and so has given me hope! ( I can do this!) Thank you so much. I watch other videos as well but I always get the most from yours. ( I wonder if it is the visual that makes it click or just your incredible talent for simplifying the mystifying. ;)

[@MsMVH]

This has helped me so much! I've twisted myself into a pretzel trying, and not understanding. No shame, no guilt, you just very gently explained. Thank you so much ♡ Now, on to my house projects! 😉

[@rosefell3068]

I am just getting started with woodworking and I just love your teaching style and delivery...I'm learning so much!!!

[@magnetar2524]

Wow, I have been procrastinating on learning how to read measurements for the longest and I have always struggled when trying to read/understand measurements, this video helped me out sooo much. Knowledge is one of the best gifts you can give to somebody, so thank you very much!

[@askywithanalibi4948]

I Adore you. Your teachings are from a most generous and geniune heart. Honestly, in this modern world of the micro attention span, I am rarely engaged enough in a video to make it all the way through, or half way through🙄... It's never really the content but how it's presented. With your videos however, I can literally watch them over and over ( the same ones) All the way through!!!! God has blessed humanity with your bench side manner! Thank you Thank you & Thank you so very much🤗😁🤗😊😍

[@thedogsmaid]

I wish you had been my math teacher. I like how you make it so simple to understand.

[@akesq01]

“How many 1/8ths in an inch?” I thought it was a trick question or that I just didn’t understand fractions after all these yours. Relieved. Existential crisis averted. Thank you for your video for all of us and teaching us many thanks. I love your kind, thorough and gentle style.

[@vladimirlopez7840]

Leah you are such a warm and kind person I love your informative videos I watch them even when I already know some of the information because you are a joy to listen and learn from

[@raymitchell9736]

As others commented, this time I didn't need the information in this video. I enjoy watching your videos and sometimes I learn something when I wasn't expecting it. But I will say how wonderful you explained the principles and wished someone explained it that way to me when I was first stating out.

[@tfloyd6651]

This is an excellent video for young and old. And is extremely helpful to those, who are learning to build things. It teaches how to think about the project -how to figure things out about a problem - and to not be confused by the language of numbers and fractions. Choosing to use a piece of folded paper in this way is genius. It takes numbers out of the abstract conceptual realm and into practicality, specifically into the realm of measuring.

[@seejanedrill]

thank you so much!

[@kirkb2596]

Excellent video... Your explanation was fantastic... I am a woodworking weekend warrior and honest to God I didn't know there was an easy read tape measure. I will go out in the morning and buy one !! Thank you

[@seejanedrill]

you're very welcome!

[@cherylreiter9860]

Leann, You are an angel sent to guide us into our liberation and doing things for ourselves! Bless you!

[@elained2448]

I’m in wonder or is it awe, heck it may be bafflement that so many viewers say we need to go metric. We may need to go metric, but we certainly are far from it. We are still in Imperial measurement, and folks need these basic skills. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain a rule. I have two young friends, one just graduated high school, one is beginning high school. Neither know how to read a rule. I go over this every time we are working with rules. I’m going to try it your way! When in the USN and later as a welder, we had to do everything in 16th’s, the saying was “it’s good enough for government work” One thing I learned somewhere along the years was to use the same rule throughout the job, any errors in the rule won’t effect the final job.

[@robwilkie1]

Being a Brit of a certain age I was brought up with both metric and imperial so am comfortable with both. But the fact that this excellent video is needed is a sad reflection of how our younger generations are not taught the basics in school today. Great work Leah.

[@beatorres6871]

Thank you so kindly for your service to all of us who desperately need this help I live alone but I'm not as strong as you, but your service is very well appreciated. Many blessings your way Gbu always ❣️🌹 greetings from El Paso Tx. Xoxoxo

[@mikemay777]

Excellent and thorough teaching. Absolutely a must for many. Great presentation! Perfectly executed!

[@CG_Hali]

Thantks Leah, being Canadian means having to use both systems with tools and woodworking, but I was born after they stopped showing us the Imperial system so they never showed us at school. So many things are in both systems still up here due to our proximity. If I could still teach children, I'd do a special class for the Imperial system because even if it's not official, it is still so ingrained in our culture and homes. Slowly the USA is switching to the metric system (liters of Cola, nutritional labels, and so many more things people don't realize) but for now, we need to know both. :D

[@deedeew4040]

I wish I had a teacher that explained as well as you do. I just recently bought a easy read tape measurer because I did not know how to read tape measurers. Explained perfectly.

[@robincampbellcap]

This is wonderful! I have always understood fractions and how to read a tape measure, and honestly, it never dawned on me that others might have trouble doing so. You did an exceptional job of teaching how to read a tape measure and the concept of fractions with a simple visual aid!!! I have posted on my Facebook page about your site, and how helpful it is. I am going to share this video as a perfect example.

[@MitzyGoose]

I have to agree - I could take a HUGE lesson from you on kindness and empathy. This is literally 3rd grade math and well, I need to understand that not everyone "got it". Thanks for being a good role model.

[@seejanedrill]

MitzyGoose That is so nice of you to say.

[@deslea]

Thanks Leah! I'm comfortable with fractions but I still struggle with US woodworking videos that fly through additions of eighths-of-an-inch. It's just not part of our everyday parlance, so when someone rattles off "I've got a quarter inch piece of ply and a 5/8 inch piece of ply so I'm setting my fence to one-and-an-eighth-of-an-inch..." I'm kind of going wait, hold up, lemme think that through. I don't think this will actually change that, but I'm glad to know it's not just me!

[@rosejefferson239]

Thank you sooooo much! Your series of videos have benefited me in my day-to-day dealings with contract workers and it has given me confidence just knowing how to repair simple home repair issues overall!!

[@philippatrick9003]

I was told early on, to always think of a ruler as using the highest fraction and the highest whole number when reading it. Always a great video Leah. TY

[@mrlpz1636]

Thank you I don’t know how many times I come back to this but it sure helps me a lot . Math was not my best subject in school so I always skim through it . Thank you ,Thank for your way of explaining things .

[@timcaron9049]

Thanks Leah for simplifing measurements. I have a problem here in Canada with Young people when taking measurements since we are in metric. Personally, after all the years that we have been using metric, I still use the Imperial system. I have tried to explain the imperial system to the younger ones and some just dont grasp it and in all honesty sometimes I just dont grasp the metric system. Great video for all. Take care and be safe

[@seejanedrill]

thanks, Tim. Yes, I think that those of us who have been schooled in the Imperial system are stuck with it in our heads!

[@FarmFreshIB]

This will be great to help out my grandson. Sometimes a good visual goes a LONG way. Excellent once again. Thanks!

[@seejanedrill]

you're very welcome!

[@richardk.9900]

The Amazon link in the description was exactly what I was looking for just now; I have to buy some miscellaneous items. Thanks for your videos, they are really helpful and you are a great teacher!

[@seejanedrill]

thank you so much, Richard!

[@yosemitesam2307]

Leah, I've heard many people explain this including myself & by far this is the best way for someone to learn! Thanks for this video it's gonna help a lot of people!

[@jimmyreuben6919]

Great video Leah. Where I live we use the metric system, but where I grew up I learned imperial. It's surprising how it all comes back to you after 40 years.

[@seejanedrill]

thanks, Jimmy!

[@Gunrunner4532]

I love this lady. She’s so friendly and knowledgeable

[@bigwavedavesr]

I am going to call them pleats now. I really couldn’t read a tape measure that well. Now after your video, I can read them perfectly. Thank you for your help.

[@gematria125]

You gorgeous women...hello from Bosnia. I like your simple explanation which is difficult to fine these days. I am going through your account slowly and have found beautiful things. Sometimes I am sup-riced how many obvious things people don't know and then you are there...Thanks Leah ....keep going and God bless!

[@nevesdarocha]

God bless you for this. This should be shown to every child trying to learn fractions.

[@source528]

Thanks Leah. I constantly use the cm/mm but great to finally understand the eights measurements.

[@Parmesana]

My late boyfriend was Italian and he used a metric one..but when learning our system tape measure..and measuring would be something like 24 and two lines. (gives me a warm chuckle)

[@wayneflint8077]

I consider myself lucky as I went into construction at the time metric was being introduced. I had to learn both. But I've seen young ppl struggle with this if they learn metric first. So a good video.

[@สดชื่น-ด9ผ]

Parmesana: a friend of mine would say 24 and 2 long line and one short line 😃👍🙏

[@MoJo-po7ir]

OMG! I have always thought I could be a good DIYer but I could never read a measuring tape properly. Thank you so much for this video!! It finally makes sense!! SUBSCRIBING NOW!

[@DW-hc2cb]

This is a great way to teach my son how to read the tape or ruler correctly. Thank you for posting this neat trick!

[@mr.seasir4199]

The Bob Ross of diy. so informative and relaxing

[@hollyj5911]

Thank you. I missed this in elementary school as I moved overseas and learned the metric system. As an adult I was always afraid to ask for clarification. Thank you so much.

[@Kurse1O]

What a great activity to teach kids how to read their rulers! I’ll have to use this technique in my classroom!

[@rogerfraser1168]

Excellent teaching strategy. I'm going to use it to help my students better understand the tape measure.

[@hastonandrew2]

thanks jane for being inspiring. you are so thoughtful and caring.

[@nadarawortham2901]

Thank you. I did not need this video but you are such a wonderful teacher and have already taught me many things. Thank you so much.

[@seejanedrill]

🙂

[@wwaxwork]

As an Australian that has moved to the USA this was such a helpful video. I had to go out & hunt down a metric tape measure to do DIY around the house because at 50 I have real trouble converting over to inches. I still have trouble figuring out what size I need when I go to the hardware store, I use the computer to convert mms or cms to inches because if you want to send the guys at home depot into a tizzy try & order in metric. Also I've just found out easy read tape measures are a thing, I am going to have to get one of those.

[@seejanedrill]

The easy read tape help many

[@oscarluquin8107]

Leah You are the best! You have a talent when it comes to explaining things. thank you again for everything!

[@seejanedrill]

you're very welcome, and thanks for commenting!

[@JRoseBooks]

Just what I needed! I understood the 4ths, but never the eights. Thanks!

[@bryanthunders2046]

Hey thanks Leah, all through school I was never good at math, in my working life I never had anyone teach me anything. Everything I know I taught myself somehow. Correctly reading a tape was a thing I always struggled with until now. Thanks, definitely subscribed!

[@seejanedrill]

Thanks, Bryan, and welcome to our channel!

[@SoleEpiphany]

I feel the concept of breaking down fractions shouldn't be lost on anyone, great video as always Leah. I agree the world should be all metric but it's still easier in carpentry to use Imperial. You didn't mention the plus or minus a sixteenth when cutting though.

[@Jeff-xy7fv]

For 16ths, we use the terms "light" and "heavy" for "minus a 16th" or "plus a 16th", respectively. Example: 27 9/16" would be said as "27 and a half, heavy".

[@jimbola77]

she is really awesome! I have learned so much that I never knew! and it makes me proud! thank you, Leah.

[@zabik99]

Great way to teach beginners, and they can follow the same guide for learning 16th's of an inch, simply if they want to get very accurate measurements.

[@seejanedrill]

thanks!

[@madlatino4615]

Thank you so much for explaining in an easy , simple way.. I am not bright at this , so I was amazed I could understand it !!!

[@Xman11ish]

Thank you very much for the video Leah! I'm from Mexico and I use metric, so this is a very helpful video.

[@jessicawebb92]

Currently renovating my new home with my husband, and I've quickly learned how little I know about reading a tape measure! I LOVED this video and how you teach. I don't think I could have handled my engineer husband mansplaining this to me 🤣

[@chevyboss97]

hey lady you know what.... I gotta take your class you are an amazing teacher. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@raneljulien]

You're a great teacher Leah!!!

[@rrich8371]

Good presentation Ms. Leah. You and I learned this too many years ago but, I swear, if I gave a tape measure to my little 9 year old grandson, he would probably ask where the buttons are to make it work. ; )

[@teranovski]

too true mr. R. Rich

[@tfloyd6651]

Then maybe it is time to build something together....

[@teranovski]

@@tfloyd6651 if there is interest yes otherwise sadly no. I am from the metric system and the kids are the same.

[@Vonnee62]

I’ve NEVER been able to read a ruler properly 😳 This was very informative! THANK YOU, Lydia😉

[@GodsKid777]

You are an AMAZING TEACHER!!! Kudos!!! ❤️

[@WrenchAddiction]

Great video for the beginner or homeowner. You do such a wonderful job 👍🏻👍🏻

[@seejanedrill]

thank you, Ryan!

[@pleitgeb]

What a great channel. Need a lot more of them on KZbin.

[@seejanedrill]

thank you so much!

[@kristinebryant3221]

I appreciate all the teaching you do.

[@nadarahel5093]

Best teacher in u tube I ever meet. Even I'm foreign

[@alhall6219]

So, hats off to you and your channel. I support you and share your channel with all my friends. Thanks so much for all your effort!! I've learned alot from you already. Can't wait to see more.!!

[@seejanedrill]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you found us and welcome to our channel!

[@maehay4065]

It's just a matter of fractions with an easy ruler to read like yours! I think it would be awesome if they made rulers with a larger print like they have with books! I really like this ruler you shared with us. It's easier to see the 1/8 mark lines.👍👍👍👍

[@seejanedrill]

thanks!

[@ksp1278]

You explained this very well. I'm confused why anybody wouldn't know this though. Like most people, I learned fractions at school. It's all pretty obvious to figure this out if you know fractions.

[@davedeatherage4902]

You're Amazing Leah👍, so thoughtful!, some of us have been beaten down so much from other people,abused, used,and thrown away that we are now learning from YOU! Who's taken the time to reach out to people!! I learn from you! I was physically and mentally abused as a child much of get go of my life, I quit highschool, and told I was unable to learn! WRONG!!! 17 year's after I quit eleventh grade, I studied at night G.E.D. CLASSES 2&1/2 years at night and earned my G.E.D. Diploma. I could barley do addition and subtraction in school from Grade 1 through 11, and all subjects I failed!!, shy and passed by teachers, and my parents told unteachable , I answered geometry and algebra questions correctly also my grammar English and other words on a 200-word essay I passed all test history math science all the test of the GED it seems to me they said the same thing about Albert Einstein unteachable unlearnable although I'm honest enough and humble enough to know that I don't liken myself unto Albert Einstein in any shape way or fashion but tests have revealed as my mother later told me in life that I was above average in intelligence nobody gave me the chance but I made the chance and studied and I just wanted to thank you again and again and again for taking the time with what would be simple to some people about the measuring tape but was a real mountain to me at one time not long ago thank you Leah God bless you, your friend Dave 😊😃👍

[@CrankyPantss]

I'm sorry that you were abused and let down by the adults around you when you were young. I'm proud of you for succeeding in spite of that, though. It's really never too late to learn.

[@davedeatherage4902]

@@CrankyPantss thank you cranky pants, yes I grew up being a law abiding nice person in spite. A person doesn't have any excuse to turn abuser, because they we're abused, I choose doing right, and have a child raised right and good kid, 😉😊👍

[@johnthompson3462]

Nice easily understandable explanation for anyone not used to the tape measure.I still now and again when in the shop will go, 4 and three of "them" lol

[@al2969]

Love her! THE best person on here to learn things from..

[@sweetiepyi]

You are the best! Got, got, got, it!!! Thank you so much. You broke it down so simply.

[@theluth9046]

Thanks for sharing, looks like a good way for me to teach my grandkids how to read a rule! Take care!

[@seejanedrill]

you're welcome, and thank you!

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

Great stuff Leah, imperial measurements can be confusing sometimes.

[@ladygardener100]

Here in Europe we adopted the metric system many moons ago, but I still buy planed wood in inches, eg 2 x 1, they probably are 2 inches by 1 inch as the machines plane to that.

[@Akumac4]

Thank you for laying that out, though adding in the 16ths would be even more helpful. I grew up in the UK and we use mm/cm/m for measurements, easy to read, write and say and divisible by 10, trying to do flooring and wood projects in the US is a bit of a challenge not knowing inches. My father-in-law was very confused when I read "21 and a half inches and 3 little ones lines after the not quite so little line"!

[@k.b.woodworker3250]

Nice explanation! I noticed on your tape measure, there were also decimal equivalents. That's where I run into trouble. These can be more easily added or subtracted than fractions, but often then they have to be converted back. I can do it, but then don't trust the calculations. That tape measure would make it much easier. Use with a calculator and it would help take out the doubt.

[@bloodgain]

Except we'd call them out as "thou" for thousandths of an inch. I do have to admit it's a little weird doing milli-inches. Machinists probably would be better off sticking to metric. Woodworkers should rarely need to worry about anything more precise than 16ths and never more precise than 32nds -- 8ths is a luxury for construction work.

[@btrswt35]

I work with a guy who's in his early 30's and he has no idea of how to read a rule... He graduated high school and even went to some college. It always surprised me how someone could go all their life without knowing this. A video like this could really help those like him that never learned.

[@red05malibumaxx]

Great video Leah!! Awesome visual. Although, I think the reason we don't say 6/8ths is really because most of us in school were taught to reduce all fractions and taught to say then that way. By dividing each the numerator and denominator by the highest common factor, it gets reduced the smallest fraction. 2 is the highest common factor for 6/8ths. so 6 divided by 2= 3 and 8 divided by 2 = 4. there for it's 3/4. As for the other measurements like 3/8, 5/8, and 7/8. They don't have a common factor between the numerator and denominator. Therefore they are at their smallest. 😀

[@seejanedrill]

Edward, I agree with you but keep in mind that many folks are intimidated by math, so I just tried to keep it very basic.

[@mikehat1949]

Thanks for the video. Makes reading a tape measurer a lot easier.

[@lowcarbmom6317]

New subscriber here. I found you through your hand riveting video. It was very helpful. You are a great KZbinr! ❤

[@jozer1]

loved the way you explained it , very easy to understand.

[@sysprog1953]

I was surprised by your associate's answer, 16 8ths. I was also curious why you folded a paper eight times, representing a full inch and then proceeding to mark the middle as 1/2 and not 4/8. I understand the equivalent used but some of the newer generation may have difficulty with fractions and be thoroughly confused. I am not criticizing your method from the video; it's just an observation. I do find your videos very helpful and as always look forward to each new one. Your videos have empowered me to be a DIY. Thanks. Maybe my comment was posted too quickly. Later in the video I saw where you were going.

[@bloodgain]

For what it's worth, if someone gave me a measurement in unreduced fractions, I probably wouldn't complain. Actually, I often convert everything to the largest denominator to do the math in my head. Sometimes I'll end up writing down unreduced fractions or even improper fractions (numerator > denominator) while I'm making quick notes, especially if it's just for my use. That's coming from someone with a Master's in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics.

[@transgreaser]

You’re the definition of DEIA. RESPECT!✊✊

[@pinolero1985]

Love the way you explained it

[@a.b.d.3974]

I could do anything you told me to do except read a tape measure and now I know how thank you.