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A ruler, also known as a rule, is essential in any workplace where accuracy matters - such as in geometry, technical drawing, architecture, or engineering for distance measurements and ruling straight lines.It is a flat, straightedge measuring instrument with equally marked spacing etched or moulded along its length. The spacing forms a measuring scale of either metric or imperial measurements, which are usually in increments of centimetres (cm) and millimetres (mm) and inches (sometimes denoted as ") respectively.Rulers are used to measuring the length of an object or its edge precisely and as a guide for drawing or scoring straight lines. They can be rigid or flexible, vary in length, and come in steel, wood, metal, and fibreglass materials.**Who uses rulers?** The better question may be 'who doesn't?' Rulers are used everywhere, from schools and offices to within the home and in a wide range of occupations. They are prevalent in particular fields of study including geometry, printing, technical drawing, architecture, building and engineering. Definitely, your best bet is to know how to read a tape measure. Suppose you have a metric tape measure in mm, how will you read it?

### How to read a metric tape measure?

Using a metric tape measure, read the numbers as follows:Large numbers indicate centimeters.Markings with a small number are millimetres, which is the same as a tenth of a centimeter.The centimetres are marked halfway with a smaller marking for easy reading.

### What are the different types of rulers?

Rulers are made from durable materials like wood, plastic or metal. These materials are hard-wearing and are usually shatter-resistant and scratch-proof as they are made to last a long time.In general, there are two types of rulers based on their size: long and short. 15-centimetre rulers are very handy for carrying, whereas 30-centimetre rulers are useful for drawing larger images.The use of rulers in industries can also vary based on their versatility, such as folding rulers, special rulers, and retractable metal tape.**Transparent Plastic Rulers:** Transparent plastic rulers allow an unobstructed view of the surface underneath for precise measuring and drawing.**Stainless Steel Rulers:** Stainless steel ruler or aluminium ruler is very durable and is ideal for use in a workshop. These steel rules often have a satin chrome anti-glare finish for clear visibility of the scale.Steel rulers are available in rigid and flexible options. Besides measuring accurately, they are also useful for guiding lines and cutting, provided they are rigid.**Wooden Rulers:** Wooden rulers are ideal for use at home or in schools, as the wood has a smooth surface, is clear to read and won't split. Moreover, wooden rulers are ideal for manual labour tasks and are not likely to break if dropped or used repeatedly.**Flexible Rulers:** Flexible rulers or tape measures are ideal for determining the dimensions of objects with curves and angles. They are able to bend and flex to measure an exact circumference, length, width or height. When choosing a flexible ruler, quality is of utmost importance. Durable and well-made flexible rulers will last a long time. The way in which an item is manufactured can also affect its durability, so if a flexible ruler is made of low-quality material, then the company isn't concerned with customer satisfaction.



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Steel & Plastic Rulers, Metric & Imperial | RS

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Metal Rulers, Steel, Stainless Steel & Aluminium Rules | RS

<p>Rulers, also known as rules or scales, are devices used for measuring and calculating distances. They are typically rectangular and will typically have measuring markers for numerous types of units, including inches, centimeters, and millimeters. Most rulers will have markings for both Imperial and Metric units, with each marked on opposite lengths on the ruler.</p><p>While some rulers for home and personal use might be made from hard plastic, most industrial settings rely on metal rulers for their added durability. Their metal composition makes them more reliable in industrial settings as metal is better suited to handle heavy-duty conditions or extreme elements.</p><p>Whether you are measuring out small spaces on a circuit board or large lengths of wiring, you can rely on one of the many metal rulers we carry for accurate measurements. Shop our entire range of metal rulers and sort by overall length, unit type (Imperial, Metric, or both), and brand. It's never a bad idea to have a range of ruler sizes on hand so you aren't struggling to measure accurately.</p><h2>Steel Ruler</h2><p>Steel rulers are a type of metal ruler that is made from steel. Steel rulers are extremely durable and are the preferred choice for those working in industrial settings, though they are still quite commonly found in homes, schools, and offices. The three most common types of steel rulers are straight rulers, flexible rulers, and foldable rulers, each with its own benefits.</p><p>Straight rulers are ideal when working with flat, rigid surfaces, as they do not bend or flex. In contrast, flexible rulers have a little flex that helps them form around a curved surface. This can help engineers measure a curve or arc without having to calculate the distance. Foldable metal rulers are rulers that fold out/in to increase or decrease the total length of the ruler. They provide maximum versatility when measuring many different-sized objects.</p><h2>Stainless Steel Ruler</h2><p>Stainless steel rulers provide the same function as normal steel rulers, however, they are made with stainless steel. Stainless steel is a little less strong and durable than regular steel but instead has anti-corrosive and anti-rust properties. This makes stainless steel rulers ideal for humid, moist, or wet settings, such as with plumbing, as they can get wet without the risk of rust forming.</p><h2>Aluminium Ruler</h2><p>Aluminium rulers also serve similar functions to steel rulers, but they are much less durable and thereby much less expensive. So long as your jobs do not require the strength and durability of a steel ruler, aluminium rulers are a more cost-effective and suitable choice.</p>

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Stainless Steel Rules | RS

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