They're a staple of DIY kits; they're durable enough to last for years and often come in both inches and metres, so they can even be used as a conversion tool. Whether you're measuring space for a new desk or even chopping the wood to build your own, a tape measure is a necessary piece of kit to have handy at home.
A tape measure will have imperial readings, metric readings or both. They are a common measuring tool used in both professional trades and simply around the home.
Best Tape Measures at a Glance:
Best for convenience: Amazon Brand – Umi Tape Measure - View on Amazon UK
Best for durability: Lufkin Shockforce Dual Sided Tape Measure - View on Amazon UK
Best for professionals: STANLEY FATMAX Classic Tape Measure - View on Amazon UK
Best for metalworkers: Milwaukee Magnetic Tape Measure - View on Amazon UK
But which tape measure should you buy? We've got plenty of recommendations, with tons of different options for you depending on what exactly you care about most when it comes to tape measure specs. Read on below to find out which tape measures we recommend!
Best for convenience
With a handy metal loop to keep this tape measure on your belt at all times, you'll never be left without a measuring tool at hand. It's really durable and has a sturdy, non-slip locking mechanism for even more convenient usage.
Our Thoughts: With a pleasantly wide design, this tape measure is easy to read and retracts nicely and quickly. It's got a great reach, and when it's retracted, it can easily slip into a pocket for ease of travel. Fabulous stuff.
Pros
- Excellent price point
- ABS and rubber shell is wear-resistant and drop-proof
Cons
- Coating on the paint isn't the most sturdy
Best for durability
The matte black blade of this offering offers improved legibility in varied light conditions, but you can also get this tape measure with a more classic yellow blade if you prefer. The dual-sided blade is simple to read and even more convenient than a single-sided option!
Our Thoughts: The matte finish on the blade means you won't get any glare from this one, and it's brilliantly lightweight. The tape is a little thin, but this means it's easier to work with on challenging irregular measurements.
Pros
- Printed with vertical quick read scale on the underside for overhead and hard-to-reach measurements
- Available in a whole range of sizes in all colours
Cons
- Only provides metric measurements in some colour options
Best for professionals
Fatmax is a tradie's best friend, with a durable blade that holds its own and an excellent lifespan. The price point is appealing, the readings are accurate, and the Mylar coating on the tape is incredibly resilient.
Our Thoughts: The markings are clear, and this one is incredibly reliable. It's a favourite of full-time trade workers, and for a good reason - it's long-lasting, simple to use and overall, it's a solid piece of kit.
Pros
- Markings for both imperial and metric measurements
- Sturdy blade won't fold when you don't want it to
Cons
- A little inconsistent in the sturdiness of the locking mechanism
Best for metalworkers
The added convenience of a magnetic tape measure can't be overstated - it frees up your hands for all other things, like marking distances and keeping notes. It's a simple addition, but it's an important one!
Our Thoughts: It's pretty affordable, and the tape is robust and durable. It's quite big in the hand, but it offers a great reach, and the magnet is terrifically strong!
Pros
- Excellent price point
- Markings are printed on both sides!
Cons
- Metric only measurements
Best for travel
If you aren't looking for a heavy-duty tape measure, you can relax your conditions and save a bit of money along the way. This option from Draper is more suited to smaller projects but has a great price point and is nice and compact.
Our Thoughts: The colours are random, so you can't be sure which shade you're getting, but you'll definitely be able to spot it in a busy bag. It has metric and imperial measurements, which is also great for conversions!
Pros
- Bright colouring
- Solid locking mechanism
Cons
- Shortest length on our list
What is a tape measure and what is it used for?
A tape measure, or measuring tape is a type of hand tool typically used to measure distance or size. It is like a much longer flexible ruler consisting of a case, thumb lock, blade/tape, hook, and sometimes a belt clip. A tape measure will have imperial readings, metric readings or both.
Are all these tape measures retractable?
Yes! We've chosen all retractable tape measures for this list, so you don't have to worry about rolling the tape back up laboriously. Retractable tape measures like these are generally better for DIY, whereas traditional fabric tape measures are better for tailoring and sewing.
Is a tape measure in cm or mm?
If you have a metric tape measure, the numbers should be read like this: The large, numbered markings are centimetres. There is a smaller marking exactly halfway between the centimetres for ease of reading. The smallest markings are millimetres, or one tenth of a centimetre.
Is tape measure and ruler same size?
A normal school ruler is 12 inches while a typical tape measure is 300 ft. So, if your street is about a mile, you have to use the full length of tape measure about 18 times.
How accurate is a tape measure?
To be used for buying and selling goods, a 1.82-meter (6-foot) tape should be accurate to within 0.79 millimeters (1/32 inch).
Do you measure from 1 or 0?
You start at 0 inches or 0 cm. If you start at 1, you'll always be off in your measurement by 1.
Caitlin Evans is a Content Optimisation Executive with a passion for finding the best products on the market. She specialises in identifying features that make a product stand out from the rest that will help people make informed buying decisions.