how to read a ruler in inches

In this case, you might have to measure the picture to see what kind of frame it would fit in. In school I'm in a masonry class and I was having problems reading and remembering all of, "I came from another country that uses a metric system. Therefore, 55.5 is equal to 55 1/2 which is 1/4" larger than 55 1/4. The standard English ruler, or Imperial ruler, is divided into inches. SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. This way the line thickness will not affect the measurement. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Each small line represents 1mm. Finally, the smallest unit on a ruler is 1/16 inch. Is 12 inches longer than a foot? To create this article, 49 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. What measurement, in inches, is it showing? ", find this article helpful, I had to save it so I can return to it, as I will be studying it each day. Each inch is divided into 16 lines, meaning that the space between each line is 1/16 inch long—this is the smallest length you can measure with a ruler. This article is so useful for me. Why there is a space at the beginning of a ruler? Thanks. There are smaller lines between the larger centimeter lines, which represent millimeters. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. 12 inches equals 1 foot (0.305 m). The third-biggest lines on a ruler are the 1/4 inch lines, which appear midway between the 1/2 inch and whole inch lines: If you counted in 1/4 inches on a ruler, you'd see that the fourth line after 0 inches equals 1/4 inch, the eighth line equals 2/4 (1/2) inch, and the 12th line equals 3/4 inch. I like learning, "Rulers have always strained my brain. In the U.S., we use units of measure such as inches, feet, and yards. If it is in the metric system, use the centimeters side of the ruler; if it is in the English system, use the inches side of the ruler. Ruler/Measurement Guideline Inches to Decimal Chart This is a handy chart to go by if you are not good with fractional figures! Very easy to understand and learn how to use each measurement. For example, 1+1/2, or 2+3/8. It's in the middle between the 7th and 8th millimeter lines in a centimeter. These tools will check your knowledge of measuring an object in inches using a ruler. These tiny lines that represent 1/16 inch come between all 1/8-inch lines: Example: You’re trying to measure the length of your pointer finger. I know more now about a ruler or tape measure than I ever have before. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. This article has 64 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. Each worksheet has five rulers on it corresponding to five measurement problems to be completed. A ruler marked in 8ths. We'll walk you through the basics of each type of ruler. Knowing how to read a ruler in cm is also helpful for people who'd prefer to not work with fractions (which you must do with inches) and who'd like to work with other units instead (in this case, millimeters). You may use the blank space to the right of the problems to show your work. Look at the image above. The truth is that there are tons of moments in life when you’ll need to know how to read a ruler. READING A RULER Ruler Scales: 1/4” INCHES APPE LEFT 8ths Scale: Each inch is divided into 8 parts and the smallest division is 1/8 of an inch. It almost always has the second-longest marking (after the one-inch marks). Each line represents 1 millimeter, which is equal to 1/10 or 0.1 cm (so 10 mm make up 1 cm). Your button is 1.5cm long. For example, 1 1/2, or 2 3/8. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? We all know where the 1, 2, 3 etc. This clear breakdown for ruler dummies was, "I need to learn how to read a ruler for the job I may be getting. Reading a ruler worksheet with answers. Blu’s Bird Toys www.bluesbirdtoys.com . 6 mm is almost a quarter inch, whereas half an inch looks closer to 12-13 mm, so 5.5 would be close to a quarter of an inch. Example: Say you’re measuring a piece of cloth and the ruler ends at the fourth line after the 10-inch mark. A Comprehensive Guide. For example, you measure a piece of fabric and the edge falls on the 6th line after the 4 inch mark, which is directly in between the 1/4 of an inch mark and the 1/2 inch mark. Standard rulers are 12 inches and are usually marked with a number at each of the inch intervals. Thanks for the great lessons on how to read a ruler. The ruler stops at 1 cm, meaning that your nail is precisely 1 cm wide. Locate the corresponding scale on the architectural ruler, i.e. in the 60s, the fact that I could not read a ruler got overlooked. Example: If you were to measure the length of a sheet of computer paper, the piece of paper would come up to the 11-inch mark on your ruler, indicating that it's exactly 11 inches long. But did you know there's an even tinier unit called nanometers? A measurement to select will appear above the ruler image. This is especially important to know if you’re studying science (recall that science generally uses the metric system—not the imperial system). ", "Looking for 3 1/5, but it isn't there, so it must be 3 1/4. ", "Very clear and precise article to learn to understand both inch and metric rulers. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel. Last Updated: November 30, 2020 The numbers to the right of the decimal represent tenths, hundredths and thousandths, respectively. For instance, what if you make two pieces of something that don’t fit together because one is shorter or longer than it was supposed to be? This would mean that your finger is 3 7/16 inches long. Mostly because they deal with fractions, which are a bit more dificult to learn. We’ll also provide you with some helpful resources you can use to keep honing your ruler-reading skills. 16ths Scale: Each inch is divided into 16 parts and the smallest division is 1/16 of an inch. A ruler that is 36 inches long is called a yard stick. How to Read an Imperial Ruler. Feel free to print or save it! Or what if you mess up a science experiment because you didn’t accurately read the measurement of a piece of string you cut? The left side of the line where the object ends will be its measurement in centimeters. Each of these tiny lines represents a fraction of an inch. Scientists, engineers, and other professionals may use your data. If the pencil point ends at the shorter line halfway between the 4 and 5 inches marks, then your pencil is 4 and 1/2 inches long. Between the numbers are several vertical lines marking fractions of each inch. Approved. This has broken it down for me. All fractions must have a denominator of 8, 4 or 2. Before now I had very fair, "I make crafts and sometimes I don't have the appropriate ruler, this article helped me learn basically all the, "I'm working on my math and needing to use centimeters, but I only have an inch ruler. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Remember that there are 12 large numbers on an English ruler and 30 numbers on the metric ruler. So many measurements, yikes! Thank you, I will keep studying. Reading a ruler that measures in inches.Reading a ruler can be a little tricky. Let’s start by looking at how to read a ruler in inches. In this case, refer to the instructions above to learn how to read a ruler in inches. Use the bigger marks between two inch markings for half-inches. 3: The imperial ruler is used for taking measurements most often in the United States. Reading a ruler is a valuable skill that you will likely use on your job, in your hobbies, and in your personal every day life. If you want any extra assistance with learning how to read a ruler in cm or inches, videos and worksheets can be excellent resources. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. My granddaughter and, "I have always had trouble reading a ruler, but this article really broke it down for me in a way I understood and, "The pictures really helped because I'm a visual learner and I also have a photographic memory. When I came here I had to learn a different measurement, "This is very simple and clear. Move your mouse (or slide your finger on a touchscreen device) over the ruler image until the green bar reaches the mark for the displayed measurement. Like 1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8. For example, place the ruler against a pencil with the eraser at the far left of the ruler. ", parts of a measuring tape. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This will also help with understanding fractions as well. Rulers are an essential tool to have, but if you’re struggling with how to read a ruler, you're not alone. Make sure you read the ruler from left to right. If you are measuring an object, align it with the left side of the zero mark on the ruler. Some lower quality rulers have spaces at the beginning to make the rulers easier to use. ", have had such conundrums with measurements. Metric rulers usually have only centimeters and millimeters on them. "I was a little confused in the beginning but then I got my answer, so that was cool, thank you. What is 55.5? An inch can be divided into 8, 16, or even 32 parts. Example: You take out a ruler to measure the width of your fingernail. Now when I go to lay down the measurements on my work, I don't have to ask my teacher about it. When marking down a distance from a ruler, mark the whole inch, followed by a space, then the fraction of an inch. ", "This information helps me because I can learn a lot here especially when you do not know what those are. Printable Ruler 24 Inches is actually a portable device… If in inches mode, the far-left number before the decimal point is whole inches. How to Read a Ruler in Inches and Centimeters, Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score. Also, be aware that 30 cm does not directly equal 12 inches, even though they are often put on the same ruler! Knowing how to read a ruler is important, not just for school but also for daily life. Gather supplies. 12 inches equals 1 foot (0.305 m). This article has been viewed 2,215,882 times. There are five different lengths of lines in total. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Get an inch ruler. Ruler Measurement Worksheets in Inches. If you’re American, this is the measurement you probably know better than centimeters, which are sometimes included on your standard 12-inch, or 1-foot, ruler (we’ll go over how to read a ruler in cm in the next section). Yes, but it really depends on what type of ruler you want to learn as well as how fast you pick up new material. Measurement Worksheets Reading a Ruler Marked in Inches The measuring worksheets on this page require grade school students to look at a ruler and identify the value being shown in inches. And if you don’t know how to read a ruler, then you’ll likely suffer some consequences. Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. Mark where the tip of the pencil lead ends on the ruler. Each line (1 mm) on a metric ruler represents .10 … This article has been viewed 2,215,882 times. Thank you! To check your answer, click on the ruler (or lift your finger on a touchscreen device). No wonder I, "A magnified visual descriptions accompanied by easy-to-understand explanation of these images. Now, notice the lines between each inch, with some longer and some shorter than others. All fractions must have a denominator of 16, 8, 4 or 2. There are so many lines on a ruler, it can get confusing to figure out what they all mean. The ruler comes to the seventh line past 3 inches. * When reading a ruler, the first thing to consider is in what measurement system you would like it to be. (8 divided … Inches correspond to the imperial system, which is the main measuring system used in the US and a smattering of other countries. ", "I have had to see this a couple times to really get it, but now it's stuck! ", http://www.craft-a-project.com/Ruler-Measurements.html, http://www.askmrcscience.net/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/readingametricruler.pdf, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Step 4 Align the edge of the ruler (using the side with the "1/4" marking at … Example: Say you're measuring the width of your smartphone, and it comes up to the fifth line after 4 cm on your ruler. On a metric ruler, each small mark (line) represents a mm. Each foot is broken down into twelve inches and most regular rulers are about one foot or twelve inches long. In the following lesson, you will learn how to read both an imperial and metric ruler. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points, How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer, Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests. ", "For years, I couldn't quite get measurements on the ruler. Decimal Rulers utilizing inches normally have marks or graduations of 0.1" (1/10") and 0.01" (1/100)", some rulers may also have 0.020" (1/50") graduations. Every mark is 1/8th of an inch. Example: Say you decide to measure the length of a corn on the cob. I have learned more from this relative to what I was taught in class! A quarter inch. You need: That's it! I'm very happy to have learned so much, especially, "This has helped me a lot. The marks are even numbers. Sometimes I'm confused. ", "This helped me because we are doing a lot with rulers in my robotics class. Unlike with the English ruler, the measurements for the metric ruler are written in decimals instead of fractions. In 1/8 inches ruler one inches divided by 8 verticl lines In 1/16 inches ruler one inches divided by 16 verticle lines. These measuring worksheets provide practice work that will prepare first grade and second grade students for real world ruler activities. Example of a standard ruler Practice problems include determining the measurement marked in a given example. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? If you are measuring something, align it with the left side of the zero mark on the ruler. Our expert guides will teach you how to convert decimals to fractions and how to add and subtract fractions. Here are two easy-to-follow videos to further help you learn how to read a ruler: If you’d rather test out your ruler-reading knowledge with practice questions, then it’s a great idea to download free measurement worksheets from these math sites: All of these resources, in addition to the handful of practice questions we gave you above, should be enough to get you reading a ruler in no time at all! For instance, the half inch mark is usually the longest, followed by the quarter and eighth inch. For tips on how to count the smaller lines and figure out how many millimeters you're working with, read on! Right away, you should be able to tell that this ruler uses inches, as it’s divided into 12 equally spaced areas (labeled 1-12), and we know there are 12 inches in a foot (ignore the cm below). In total, there are three different lengths of lines on a metric ruler. Each centimeter is labeled with a number to show the measurement it's referring to. Why are there five holes in my 12" ruler? English rulers, are much more difficult to read. 3 standard rulers measure 1 yard or 36 inches. If a pen comes to the 14th line after 5 inches, how long is it? Then, taking measurements will be a breeze. Each inch is broken down into 15 smaller marks, equaling 16 marks in total for each inch on the ruler. I didn't, "How it was explained, the article mentioned it step by step, and explained everything from mm, cm, in. Learn how to convert nanometers to meters and other measurements with our in-depth guide. Like the inches ruler, you’ll see tons of lines on a metric ruler, with some longer and some shorter. The ruler is read from left to right. What measurement, in centimeters, is it showing? Each part consist of the 16 lines which are also parted equally. Take a look at the following English Rulers: A ruler marked in 4ths. So you can put the ruler in a 3- or 5-ring binder to use in school or in an office environment. 7/8 is smaller than 1 inch. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Read-a-Ruler-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-a-Ruler-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3b\/Read-a-Ruler-Step-1-Version-5.jpg\/aid2762382-v4-728px-Read-a-Ruler-Step-1-Version-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"410","licensing":"