The Loose End Of Your Measuring Tape Has A Genius Hidden Function

A measuring tape is a tool every homeowner should have, especially for DIY enthusiasts who love to tackle projects on the weekend. Did you know a tape measure can even be used as a notepad? It has so many handy dandy features, including the loose metal tip at the end. No, it's not a design flaw, it actually serves a crucial purpose in getting you the most precise measurements. This little feature is actually a built-in precision tool known as the "true zero" feature. This feature compensates for the thickness of the metal tip, exactly 1/16th of an inch, guaranteeing you an accurate reading whether you're measuring the inside or outside of a surface. 

Not sure what this can do for you? Well, this feature will allow the tip of the measuring tape to do a slight shift inward when you use the tape against a surface — great if you're measuring something like a window sill. Although this may seem like a minor adjustment, it ensures you a more precise measurement. This is crucial when it comes to certain projects and activities like when you're trying to figure out whether or not a furniture piece you've been eyeing will fit. Pretty cool, huh?

Now that you're aware of the "true zero" feature of a measuring tape and how it works, let's put the feature to the test. All measuring tapes will work for this as long as they have that metal edge. If you're in the market for a measuring tape, try the Craftsman 25-ft Tape Measure. It's also good to brush up on how to accurately use a tape measure before you get started on your project.

Here's an example of how the "true zero" feature helps when measuring a door frame. You'll want to grab your measuring tape and hook the tape onto the outer edge of the door frame and measure the width. Now that you have an accurate exterior measurement, let's move on to measuring the interior of the frame. Press the measuring tape against the inner edges of the frame to get an accurate reading — the metal tip will push into the frame, giving you that "true zero" reading. Voila! You've successfully used the "true zero" feature. An additional tip to using this feature is to make sure you keep the tape taut to avoid any measurement errors. Once you're done, you'll have a more accurate measurement — though it's always good to measure twice!