measuring tapes
Retractable length finders
Measuring tapes are flexible rulers used to measure length or distance.
The tape—marked in inches, centimeters, or both—coils into a compact case for portability.
Tailors use cloth measuring tapes that drape around the body; carpenters use retractable metal ones that extend rigidly then snap back: He pulled out a measuring tape to check the width of the doorframe.
Able to draw inward
- spring-loadedPowered by compressed coil
- pocket-sizeSmall enough to pocket
- housingDwellings or protective covering
- caseContainer or instance
blade · compact · extendable · non-slip · durable · flexible · coiled · ergonomic
Twelfth of a foot
- centimeterMetric length unit
- footLeg's lowest part
- meterDevice that measures usage
- millimeterThousandth of a meter
yard · distance · span · dimension · gauge · scale · proportion · extent
Degree of correctness
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- resolutionFormal decision or determination
exactness · readability · metrology · vernier · scales · specifications · standards · interpolation
Wood construction trade
- surveyingMeasuring and charting terrain
- blueprintDetailed technical drawing
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
- lumberSawn wood for building
drywall · flooring · layout · marking · contractor · jobsite · building · renovation
Custom clothing adjustment
- dressmakingConstructing garments from fabric
- seamstressOne who stitches garments
- patternmakingCreating garment construction templates
- alterationsChanges made to something
hemming · waistline · bust · inseam · fitting · fabric · garment · cloth
retractable
Able to draw inward
- spring-loadedPowered by compressed coil
- pocket-sizeSmall enough to pocket
- housingDwellings or protective covering
case · blade · compact · extendable · non-slip · durable · flexible · coiled · ergonomic · lock
inch
Twelfth of a foot
- centimeterMetric length unit
- footLeg's lowest part
- meterDevice that measures usage
millimeter · yard · distance · span · dimension · gauge · scale · proportion · extent · size
accuracy
Degree of correctness
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
- graduationCompleting academic requirements formally
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
resolution · exactness · readability · metrology · vernier · scales · specifications · standards · interpolation · increments
carpentry
Wood construction trade
- surveyingMeasuring and charting terrain
- blueprintDetailed technical drawing
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
lumber · drywall · flooring · layout · marking · contractor · jobsite · building · renovation · hardware
tailoring
Custom clothing adjustment
- dressmakingConstructing garments from fabric
- seamstressOne who stitches garments
- patternmakingCreating garment construction templates
alterations · hemming · waistline · bust · inseam · fitting · fabric · garment · cloth · circumference
- sewing supply storesJoann, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, pattern books, scissors
- surveying equipmenttheodolite, theodolites, transit, transits, tripod
- conservation equipmentcamera traps, radio collars, GPS trackers, trail cameras, tracking devices
- hand toolsscrewdriver, wrench, hammer, pliers, saw
measuring tapesyardsticks
Criteria for evaluation
rulers · straightedges · meter sticks · carpenter's squares · T-squares
measuring tapeseyeballing
Estimating by sight alone
guesswork · approximation · guesstimation · rule of thumb · ballpark figures
measure, tape, measured, measuring, measures, measurement, taper, taped, measurable