Unit 4 • Measuring

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CARPENTRY
Measuring is one of the first basic skills that
a carpenter should master. Accurate
measurements are very important.
Inaccurate measurements lead to wasted
time, materials, and money. Carpenters
should learn to use the correct measuring
tools and use them properly. When doing
layout work there is no such thing as “good
enough” or “close enough.” Your
measurements should be accurate.

Objectives ———————
1. Identify basic measuring tools.

2. Identify graduations on basic

measuring tools.

3. Read a rule to the nearest fraction of

an inch.

4. Convert fractional inches to

hundredths of a foot.

5. Read a tape to the nearest fraction of

an inch.

6. List common errors that contribute to

incorrect measurements.

7. Read measurements on folding rules.

(Assignment Sheet 1)

8. Measure dimensions of objects.

(Assignment Sheet 2)

9. Convert fractional inches to

hundredths of a foot.
(Assignment Sheet 3)

10. Read measurements on tapes.

(Assignment Sheet 4)

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Objective 1:——————
Identify Basic Measuring
Tools FIGURE 1

● 100' tape – used to measure short

and long measurements with
accuracy (Figure 1)

FIGURE 2
● Folding rule (zigzag rule) – used to
make accurate inside and outside
measurements for laying out forms,
laying out joints, and checking for
square (Figure 2)

FIGURE 3

● Steel tape – used to measure

irregular as well as regular shapes
and to make accurate inside and
outside measurements (Figure 3)

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Objective 2:—————
Identify Graduations on
Basic Measuring Tools
The following illustrations show
different graduations or divisions on
basic measuring tools. ‘
FIGURE 4
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It is important for a carpenter to be
able to read and understand what
these graduations mean.
The illustrations used below are only
examples and not all rules have the
same exact graduations shown
below.
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Objective 3:——————
Read A Rule to the
Nearest Fraction of an Inch.
All rules are read similarly. However, 3. Determine the number of fractional
rules may have different graduations, units between the last whole unit and
and some rules may have special the second reference point.
markings for specific purposes. Layout
rules, for instance, are marked every a. Determine the number of gradua-
16" as an aid in determining stud tions per inch. At first you may
locations on 16" centers. have to count the number of divi-
sions in an inch. However, with
1. Align the end of the rule with one some practice, you will be able to
reference point. recognize the divisions on sight
and will eventually be able to
2. Determine the number of whole units determine fractional units just by
between the end of the rule and the looking at the rule.
second reference point.
b. Determine the fractional part of
NOTE: The unit of measurement will an inch by counting the number
vary, depending on the distance of divisions between the last inch
being measured and the use being and the second reference point.
made of the measurement. Most
short measurements are made in c. Reduce the fraction, if possible.
inches, even if they are more than 1
foot long. Skilled craftsmen are gen-
erally able to quickly convert meas-
urements from feet to inches or vice
versa for distances of 10 to 12 feet
or more. Thus, a carpenter may
speak of a ceiling as 4 by 8 feet or
as 48 by 96 inches.

FIGURE 5

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NOTE: In the example, FIGURE 6
the rule is divided into
sixteenths. There are
ten divisions between
the last inch mark—
3"—and the reference
point. The 10/16 can
be reduced to 5/8.
(Figure 6)

4. Determine the reading by adding

fractional units to whole units and
converting inches to feet or feet to
inches if necessary.

EXAMPLE: The following rule shows

a measurement of 1'-2 1/2" or
14 1/2". (Figure 7)

FIGURE 7

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Objective 4: —————— a. Change the inches and
fractions to eighths, rounding six-
Convert Fractional Inches teenths and thirty-seconds to the
nearest eighths as
to Hundredths of a Foot necessary.
There are two general methods used by b. Multiply the numerator by 0.01.
the industry today for converting
fractional inches to hundredths of a foot. c. Add the product of the two
One method is to apply the formula and numbers to the whole-foot
rules described in this section. The number.
formula is not exact, but it is generally
accurate enough for the requirements of 3. Add the required number for
the trade and for use with the rules that a quantities of 2 inches or more.
carpenter may have. The second method
is to refer to a conversion table. See Table EXAMPLE 1: Convert 14'-5 1/4" to
1. hundredths of a foot.
Apply the following guidelines in the a. 14' = 14.00'
conversion process:
b. 5 1/4" = 2 1/4" = 4 2/8"
1. Consider each 12 inches to be equal
to 1.00 foot. c. 42 x 0.01 = .42
2. Consider each 18 inch to be equal d. Add 0.02 for 5 inches
to 0.01 foot.
e. 14.00
3. To allow for the difference between 0.42
18 inch and 0.01 foot, add another + 0.02
0.01 foot for 2 inches, 0.02 foot for 5 14.44'
inches, 0.03 foot for 8 inches, and
0.04 foot for 11 inches. EXAMPLE 2: Convert 5'-3 1/6" to
hundredths of a foot.
Use the following steps in the conversion
process: a. 5' = 5.00'
1. Write the number of whole feet as a b. 3 1/6" = 1.58"
whole number to the left of the
decimal point. c. 1.5/8" rounds to 2/8"
2. Convert the remaining inches and d. 2 x 0.01 = .02
fractional parts of inches to
hundredths of a foot. e. 5.00
+ 0.02
5.02'

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Standard hundredths conversion
1/8" = .01 4" = .33 8" = .66 + .01 = .67
1/4" = .02 4 1/8" = .34 8 1/8" = .68
3/8" = .03 4 1/4" = .35 8 1/4" = .69
1/2" = .04 4 3/8" = .36 8 3/8" = .70
5/8" = .05 4 1/2" = .37 8 1/2" = .71
3/4" = .06 4 5/8" = .38 8 5/8" = .72
7/8" = .07 4 3/4" = .39 8 3/4" = .73
1" = .08 4 7/8" = .40 8 7/8" = .74
1 1/8" = .09 5" = .41 + .01 = .42 9" = .75
1 1/4" = .10 5 1/8" = .43 9 1/8"= .76
1 3/8" = .11 5 1/4" = .44 9 1/4" = .77
1 1/2" = .12 5 3/8"= .45 9 3/8" = .78
1 5/8" = .13 5 1/2" = .46 9 1/2" = .79
1 3/4" = .14 5 5/8" = .47 9 5/8" = .80
1 7/8" = .15 5 3/4" = .48 9 3/4" = .81
2" = .16 + .01 = .17 5 7/8" = .49 9 7/8" = .82
2 1/8" = .18 6" = .50 10" = .83
2 1/4" = .19 6 1/8" = .51 10 1/8" = .84
2 3/8" = .20 6 1/4" = .52 10 1/4" = .85
2 1/2" = .21 6 3/8" = .53 10 3/8" = .86
2 5/8" = .22 6 1/2" = .54 10 1/2" = .87
2 3/4" = .23 6 5/8" = .55 10 5/8" = .88
2 7/8" = .24 6 3/4" = .56 10 3/4" = .89
3" = .25 6 7/8" = .57 10 7/8" = .90
3 1/8" = .26 7" = .58 11" = .91 + .01 = 92
3 1/4" = .27 7 1/8" = .59 11 1/8" = .93
3 3/8" = .28 7 1/4" = .60 11 1/4" = .94
3 1/2" = .29 7 3/8" = .61 11 3/8" = .95
3 5/8" = .30 7 1/2" = .62 11 1/2" = .96
3 3/4" = .31 7 5/8" = .63 11 5/8" = .97
3 7/8" = .32 7 3/4" = .64 11 3/4" = .98
7 7/8" = .65 11 7/8" = .99
12" = 1.00
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Objective 5: —————— 3. Determine the number of inches
between the last whole-foot
Read a Tape to the mark and the second reference
point.
Nearest Fraction of
an Inch. 4. Determine the fractional inches
between the last whole-inch
Follow these steps in reading a tape mark and the second reference
to the nearest fraction of an inch. point.

5. Add feet, inches, and fractions of

1. Place the end of the tape on one an inch to obtain the correct
reference point. measurement.

2. Reading from the starting end of EXAMPLE: The tape below

the tape, determine the number reads seventeen feet two and
of feet to the second reference one half inches (17'-2 1/2")
point. at the second reference point.
(Figure 8)
FIGURE 8

Visit the following site to read more about how to read a

tape and what all the different marks on the tape mean:

http://www.asktooltalk.com/home/qanda/faq/tools/
tapemeasure.htm

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●
Objective 6: —————— Not placing end of tape or rule on
reference point
List Common Errors that
● Reading incorrect number
Contribute to Incorrect
Measurements ● Recording incorrect number

● Using wrong reference point

Errors in measurement can lead to
incorrect cutting and placement of
construction material. It is very important EXAMPLE: When reading a
to make accurate measurements. Have diagonal measurement it is
you ever heard the saying, "measure important to read the same side
twice, cut once." This saying encourages of the tape or rule for
you to be sure that your measurements measurement.
are right in the beginning before you cut.
● Making errors in mathematical
Be aware of the following errors so that
you will avoid wasted time and material computations
due to measuring and cutting errors.
EXAMPLE: When converting from
● Leaving slack in tape one unit of measurement to
another
● Not laying tape flat (tape is twisted
● Using incorrect measuring tool for
or kinked)
job being performed
● Not aligning tape or rule properly

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Assignment Sheet 1
Objective 7: ——————
Read Measurements on Folding Rules.
Introduction
The first step in being able to a make accurate measurements is to become familiar
with the graduations on rules and how to read them. This assignment sheet will allow
you to practice reading measurements on rules.

Instructions
Read the rules illustrated below and write the correct readings in the blanks below the
rules.

1. 0 A B C D E F G H

A. _______________ E. _______________
B. _______________ F. _______________
C. _______________ G. _______________
D. _______________ H. _______________

0 A B C D E F G H

2.

A. _______________ E. _______________
B. _______________ F. _______________
C. _______________ G. _______________
D. _______________ H. _______________

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3. 0 A B C D E F G H

A. _______________ E. _______________
B. _______________ F. _______________
C. _______________ G. _______________
D. _______________ H. _______________

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Assignment Sheet 2
Objective 8: —————
Measure Dimensions of
Objects
Introduction
A carpenter will use measuring skills in every phase of the job. It is essential for the
carpenter to master the ability to measure and interpret measurements.

Part 1
Measure the following objects using a rule graduated in sixteenths (1/16") of an inch
and write your answers in the space provided.

1. A. Length = _____________
A.
B. Height = _____________

B.

A. Length = _____________
2. A.
B. Height = _____________

B.

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Part 2
Because of the size of projects, it is usually necessary to make scale drawings of
houses, buildings, parking lots, site work, etc. A scale drawing uses one dimension to
represent another, and all dimensions on the drawing are reduced in the same
proportion. For example, using a scale in which 1" on the drawing is equal to 1' on the
actual object a 4' high and 5' long object would be 4" by 5" on the drawing.

Using a scale of 1/8" equals to 1 foot, determine the dimensions represented on figure
9. Write your answers in the space provided.

FIGURE 9

1. _______________ 8. _______________
2. _______________ 9. _______________
3. _______________ 10. ______________
4. _______________ 11. ______________
5. _______________ 12. ______________
6. _______________ 13. ______________
7. _______________ 14. ______________

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Assignment Sheet 3
Objective 9: —————
Convert Fractional Inches
to Hundredths of a Foot.
Introduction
Many rules are marked in hundredths of a foot. Often the carpenter is required to
convert inch dimensions to decimal fractions of a foot. This assignment sheet will help
you become more proficient at converting fractional inches to hundredths of a foot.

Using the three guidelines below, convert the following inch dimensions to hundredths
of a foot. Be sure to show your calculations.

● Consider each 12 inches to be equal to 1.00 foot

● Consider each 1/8 inch to be equal to 0.01 foot

● Add 0.01 foot for 2 inches, 0.02 foot for 5 inches, 0.03 foot for 8 inches, and
0.04 foot for 11 inches

EXAMPLE: Convert 6'- 4 1/8" to hundredths of a foot.

A. 6 ' = 6.00
B. 4 1/8" = 33/8 = 0.33
C. Add 0.01
D. 6.00
0.33
+ 0.01
6.34'

1. 1/4" = _____________ 2. 14'- 5 1/2" = ____________

3. 1/4" = _____________ 4. 6 5/8" = _____________

5. 1 3/8" = ____________ 6. 7'- 7 1/8" = _____________

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Assignment Sheet 4
Objective 10: —————
Read Measurements on Tapes
Introduction
This assignment sheet will help you to develop a better knowledge of reading a tape and
will help you to read a tape quickly and efficiently. Using the procedures outlined in this
unit, read the following tapes and write the correct dimensions in the space provided.

1. ____________________

Reference point Reference point

2. ____________________

3. ____________________

4. ____________________

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