# tape measure question
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-question/41906
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 20, 2000, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-question/41906 "2000-11-20T01:45:51Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@themachine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themachine)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2000, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-question/41906/1 "2000-11-20T01:45:51Z")
On a tape, just a bit over 19 3/16th’s" there is a diamond. It appears at the same interval?
Anybody know what this is for???
Just another GQ,
the machine
---
### Author:  [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2000, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-question/41906/2 "2000-11-20T01:53:12Z")
Yeah,
When you are laying out studs for a standard 18" o.c. wall, the diamonds mark the center of the stud.
o.c.= on center
---
### Author:  [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2000, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-question/41906/3 "2000-11-20T14:32:52Z")
Ask, and ye shall receive:
[http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mtapemeasure.html](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mtapemeasure.html)
Essentially, 19 3/16 inches is 1/5 of 96 inches, the standard length of panels “used for sub-flooring and sheathing.”
–sublight.
---
### Author:  [@themachine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themachine)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2000, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tape-measure-question/41906/4 "2000-11-21T03:10:44Z")
Thanks!!!