You may be surprised all the things a tape measure can do. Here’s how to use a tape measure to make your projects easier.

Tape measures are available in a range of lengths, from 6-foot keychain versions to 100-foot “long tapes” for home appraisals and construction use. Twenty-five-foot tape measures are the most ...

Have you ever wondered what the hash marks, black diamonds, and red squares on a tape measure mean? We'll help crack the code—and show you how to use the tool.

How to use a tape measure is simple when you’re aware of all the parts of the item, from lock to hook to blade. Illustration: Ellie Schiltz/Getty Images ...

Step 2: Double Check with a Measuring Tape It’s helpful to double-check with a flexible measuring tape. Wrap the tape snugly around the base of your finger, where the ring will sit.

Reading a tape measure seems pretty straightforward, but it's hard to get a precise measurement if you don't use it properly.

Add them together. For more precise measurements, ones on angles or parallel ones, other specialty measuring tools are easier to use and more accurate than your tape measure.