Measurement

How to Read a Ruler

How to Read a Ruler - U.S Customary System

A ruler is used to measure units of length, inches, feet
and yards.
A standard ruler is 12 inches or 1 foot long. 3
standard rulers measure 1 yard or 36 inches.

A ruler that is 36 inches long is called a yard stick.

 

Example of a standard ruler

standard ruler

The numbers on the ruler

Each inch on a ruler has marking in between that are
fraction of an inch. Example: the ruler below has marks
starting 1/16 of an inch up to 15/16.  Some have 4, 8, 16, 
and 32 marks.

1 inch ruler

This picture represents 1 inch of a ruler.

 

How to measure with a read a Ruler

To use a ruler, line up one end of an object with o or
the beginning of the ruler.

                                           example

The paper clip is 3/4 of an inch long. 3/4 is the same as 12/16

 

Example2:

measuring pencil

The pencil is about 1 1/2 inch long

Equivalent marking on a ruler
1/8 is the same as 2/16
1/4 is the same as 4/16
3/8 is the same as 6/16
1/2 is the same as 8/16
5/8 is the same as 10/16
3/4 is the same as 12/16
7/8 is the same as 14/16