The Tape Measure Hack That Lets You Measure Corners With Ease

Have you ever tried to use a measuring tape on a tight corner only to feel like you're guessing the exact measurement? It's a common frustration that plagues professionals and DIYers alike. And it can quickly add up to some costly design mistakes, especially when you're cutting pieces of wood or metal. The measuring tape just never seems to bend in the right direction, causing a whole lot of irritation for such a small task. Well, leave the guesswork behind with a simple trick that can make measuring corners hassle-free. By clipping an index card to your measuring tape, as shown in a TikTok video posted by @jeffandlaurenshow, you can get the exact measurement of your corners, saving time and effort on your at-home projects.

It's easy to make a mistake when using a measuring tape; the brilliance of this hack lies in its simplicity and applicability to just about any at-home project. The index card serves as a sturdy extension of your measuring tape, sitting in the corner of whatever is being measured. It creates a clear, flat surface that makes measuring corners a breeze, even as your measuring tape bends. As you lift the measuring tape, your index card stays in place, indicating the exact measurement of your corner without any unnecessary guesswork. Meanwhile the binder clip holds the index card in place so that you don't need to hold it yourself. This method ensures an accurate measurement to avoid any mistakes when it comes to cutting pieces, saving you money in the process.

To try this trick on your next project, you'll need a measuring tape, an index card, and a binder clip. First, ensure that the index card is situated inside the corner, flush against the edge. Use the measuring tape along the length of your surface, bending it slightly around the corner that you need measured. As you do so, use your binder clip to secure your index card in place. Push the index card along the measuring tape until it is right at the edge of your corner. Remove the measuring tape from the corner and straighten it out. The edge of your index card will indicate the exact measurement of your corner, making your cutting or installation that much easier. With no more guesswork, you can continue to measure in peace, getting the exact lengths that you need for all sorts of projects.

If you're missing a few materials for this trick, there are plenty of replacements that you can employ to achieve the same level of accuracy. Without an index card, you can use any kind of stiff paper, from a credit card to a flat piece of cardboard. All you need is something flat with a straight edge to get your measurements. If you don't have a binder clip on hand, you can always use a paper clip (in just one of the ways that you can repurpose paperclips around the house) or even hold the index card in place as you measure. It's the perfect trick for measuring and cutting baseboard corners like a pro, or kitchen cabinet shelves, tackling corners with ease.