What types of tape measures are available for purchase?
There are two types of tape measures on the market: one has a blade marked in either English or metric measurements and the other has a blade that features both English and metric measurements. The information here refers to a tape measure using English measurements. To better understand the increments on a tape measure blade, think of its markings (or small hash marks or increments) as similar to yardage lines on a football field. Tape measure blade marks are given in fractions, inches, and feet. Within these markings are different height increments that run the full length of the upper and lower scale and which mirror each other as clearly shown to the right. Within this scale of increments, the markings at different heights—starting from the shortest to where they meet each other between the upper and lower scale—all refer to measurements. Before you can understand how to read these increments, you have to know the type of blade you have. Tape measures are sold with blade increments
