Ever noticed the loose end on a tape measure? Learn why it’s designed that way and how it helps you measure accurately.
While there are a growing number of measuring apps on your phone, the technology is still evolving, and they are not always ideal for precise measurements. Whether you’re a worker at a construction site or a homeowner who is looking to make sure your latest IKEA purchase is going to fit that odd corner in your house, there are few tools that are so universally useful as the tape measure. Since its creation in the United Kingdom almost 200 years ago, tape measures have become essential for measuring things for personal, professional, and even legal use (as long as they’ve been certified by the right bodies).
Although their class can indicate their differences in accuracy, many commercially available measuring tapes from top manufacturers are considered accurate enough for the average person. That said, there are still things that you can do to lessen the margin of error.
