# Tape Measure Markings
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-markings/97877
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [March 12, 2002, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-markings/97877 "2002-03-12T17:42:37Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynic)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2002, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-markings/97877/1 "2002-03-12T17:42:37Z")
OK, tape measures here in the US display the length in inches, usually divided into 16ths of an inch and marked in multiples of 12 (feet). But I’ve noticed some other unusual markings on some brands. Some have additional markings at 16-inch increments. I imagine this is for carpenters because studs are arranged on 16-inch centers. But there also marks on 19 3/16” increments. Why? Is this some alternative stud spacing?
Lastly, there is a single mark located at 6 ½ inches. What does this signify - average _penis size_?
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### Author:  [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2002, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-markings/97877/2 "2002-03-12T17:59:18Z")
The marks at 16" are indeed for studs at the normal 6 studs per eight feet. The other marks indicate layout for five studs per eight feet.
I’ve done a fair amount of construction and never seen anyone use five studs per eight foot run.
Are you sure the mark at 6 1/2 isn’t an underline for the six?
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### Author:  [@cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynic)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2002, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-markings/97877/3 "2002-03-12T18:20:59Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by MonkeyMensch \*
> \*\*The marks at 16" are indeed for studs at the normal 6 studs per eight feet. The other marks indicate layout for five studs per eight feet.
>
> I’ve done a fair amount of construction and never seen anyone use five studs per eight foot run. \*\*
Thanks, **MonkeyMensch**. Looking more carefully I see the marks are on 19.2 (96/5) inch centers.
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by MonkeyMensch \*\*\*
> Are you sure the mark at 6 1/2 isn’t an underline for the six? \*\*
There is a big red dot right at 6 1/2 inches. I’m stumped.😕
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### Author:  [@Kamandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamandi)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2002, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-markings/97877/4 "2002-03-12T21:37:57Z")
There’s no special mark at 6 1/2" on my ten foot metric/english tape. Come to tink of it, I don’t recall seeing such a mark on any of my tapes (I have three. I’m not anal, they’re for my job). Are you sure the mark isn’t a stray splotch of paint?
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### Author:  [@cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynic)
#### Post date: [March 12, 2002, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-markings/97877/5 "2002-03-12T21:59:16Z")
The one I was looking at is a new Craftsman[sup]TM[/sup] 25’ tape measure. The red dot at 6 1/2" is definately looks like it is supposed to be there - it is circular, located in the exact center of the tape, and is the exact same shade of red as every 16th inch is marked.
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### Author:  [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2002, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-markings/97877/6 "2002-03-13T16:19:24Z")
None of my tape measures have any such marking, either.
WAG: Is the housing 3.5 inches wide? Then, if you pull out the tape so the red dot is right at the slot, you’d be set up for a 10-inch inside measurement. Dunno why that would be especially helpful, though.
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### Author:  [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2002, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-markings/97877/7 "2002-03-13T17:08:23Z")
While you’re on the subject, how would you read a measurement where the length measured out to the last line before the next number…
say, it’s 5 and 15/16ths ???
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### Author:  [@cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cynic)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-markings/97877/8 "2002-03-13T17:38:38Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Philster \*
> \*\*While you’re on the subject, how would you read a measurement where the length measured out to the last line before the next number…
> say, it’s 5 and 15/16ths ??? \*\*
You are correct, provided that the tape uses 1/16 inch graduations. If so, there are 15 lines between each number, and the corresponding measurement at each line are as follows:
1. 1/16"
2. 1/8"
3. 3/16"
4. 1/4"
5. 5/16"
6. 3/8"
7. 7/16"
8. 1/2"
9. 9/16"
10. 5/8"
11. 11/16"
12. 3/4"
13. 13/16"
14. 7/8"
15. 15/16"
Personally, I prefer to round up.
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### Author:  [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)
#### Post date: [March 13, 2002, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-markings/97877/9 "2002-03-13T17:48:53Z")
I feel so stupid.
Thanks.