By:Kevin Rossignol|
Last Updated:03/21/2024
Time to Read: 3 min
Project Overview
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Different Ways to Measure if You Don't Have a Tape Measure
We’ve all heard the mantra before: measure twice, cut once. But what if you don’t have a ruler handy? What do you do then? As it turns out, there are variety of ways to measure things without a tape measure. All you need is an object with a consistent length. So, in honor of National Tape Measure Day, we’ve put together a list of things you can use in lieu of a ruler.
Method #1: Your Hands, Feet, Elbows and Height
Let’s start with something you always have handy – yourself. Assuming you’re a fully-grown adult, your fingers and appendages have a fixed length, making them perfect for taking measurements. The only drawback is that you have to know their length beforehand. Assuming you have a ruler available, these are the body parts you can use to measure without a tape measure:
Pro (Thumb) Tip: How to Measure an Inch Without a Ruler
The length between your thumb tip and the top knuckle of your thumb is roughly one inch. The next time you have a ruler handy, give it a quick measure to double-check.
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Method #2: Your Money
An easy way to measure without a tape measure is to use your cash. A plain old dollar bill is exactly 6.14 inches long and 2.61 inches tall, but you can simply round those down to the nearest half-inch. You can also fold it into sixths to create a makeshift ruler – here’s a quick visual guide that shows how to do it.
If you don’t have cash on hand, you could settle for a credit card. At 3.37 inches long and 2.125 inches tall, your plastic can provide fairly accurate measurements on short notice.
Method #3: Printer Paper
A standard sheet of letter paper is exactly 8.5 inches by 11 inches. Use either the long or short edge depending on the size of the surface you’re measuring.
Method #4: Print Out a Ruler
Instead of using a sheet of paper, why not go a step further and simply print out a ruler? Here are some 12-inch ruler templates you can use in those moments when you absolutely need to be as accurate as possible.
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Ready to Start Measuring?
Now that you've found your measuring method, check out the following guides to get you started on your next remodel or DIY project:
