Expert: Josh - 8/19/2008

Question
how to read one??

Answer
Hi Sandy

It's hard for me to answer this question as the markings are different on the ruler depending on whether the units are measured in metric units or imperial units.

Please refer to the diagrams at http://www.onlineconversion.com/faq_05.htm as you read the following description.

In metric scale, the shorter markings usually increase by one millimeter (mm). Normally, the longer markings go up by one centimeter (cm). You can check to see that 10 mm (ten shorter ones) make up 1 cm.

In imperial scale, the major unit (longer marking) is measured in inches. An inch is usually further divided into eighths, so you have 0, 1/8, 2/8, 3/8, 4/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8 and so forth.

More examples are given at the above website.