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The Proper Way to Use a Ruler

Rulers can come in handy for a variety of tasks. They can be used to measure items for the most basic task or to measure items for more complex tasks, such as technical drawing. Most people first encountered a ruler and learned how to use one while they were in grade school.  It's safe to say that not many people however actually learned the correct way to accurately measure using a ruler. Most measurements need to be precise in order to accurately perform many everyday tasks. If a ruler is inaccurately read or used, then the resulting error in measurement could potentially ruin a project.

The first step of reading a ruler is to understand the symbols on it and the units of measurement.  On a ruler with the American system of measurement (where inches and feet are a part of the standard unit of measurement) each equally-spaced number on the ruler represents an inch, and twelve inches represents a foot. Most rulers have tiny lines between numbers, and there will often be a slightly larger line in the middle of the other lines between numbers. This line is made slightly larger as a way of identifying it as half of an inch. The other smaller lines represent smaller fractions of an inch, such as one-sixteenth of an inch if there are sixteen lines total between two numbers or even one-eighth of an inch if there are only eight lines between two numbers.

Many custom rulers include both the American standard system on one side of the ruler and the Metric system measurement markings on the other edge. Therefore, it's important to determine which type of measurement you prefer before placing it next to whatever is being measured.

By placing a ruler parallel to what is being measured and line up the lowest point on the ruler with the edge of the object, you can then read the numbers that correspond with the length of the object in order to determine its exact measurement. If the measurement falls between two of the lines that represent a you can go ahead and either round up the measurement or round down the measurement to the nearest fraction of an inch.

Not only is it useful for gathering measurements, a ruler can also be used as a straightedge to draw a straight line when accuracy matters. This line can either start or stop at a random point or you may prefer to measure the line with an exact starting and stopping point in mind by using the numbers along the ruler's edge. This can also be a useful way to cut a straight line.

There are so many different types of rulers out there.  They can be made out of different materials such as plastic, wood, aluminum and stainless steel rulers.   Though rulers come in many different sizes and styles (especially when they are used as promotional products), they are important tools that can be very useful when correctly used.

 

About the Author

Jolanta Schlenker
Schlenker Enterprises Ltd.
<a href="http://www.schlenkerenterprises.com/">Engineering ruler</a> from IL, USA

CGR3754 - Creative Grids® Lazy Angle® Ruler - Short Version

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