Tape Measures

A tape measure, commonly referred to as a measuring tape, is an essential hand tool used to obtain accurate measurements of materials, objects and distances in both professional and DIY settings. Featuring a long, marked strip that can be rolled up, this flexible and indispensable instrument is used across various fields, including construction, carpentry, tailoring and home improvement, to ensure precise dimensions for every task.

Types of Measuring Tapes

There is a vast range of measuring tape options available, each designed for a specific application or industry. These essential tools are categorised based on their mechanism, material and unit of measure:

Units of Measurement

• Metric Tape Measures: The most common unit found on a tape measure, featuring markings in centimetres and metres, essential for precision engineering and construction worldwide.
• Imperial Tape Measures: These feature units in inches and feet, typically used in North America and for certain traditional carpentry and trade applications. Many tapes also feature both metric and imperial units for universal application.

Design and Mechanism

Retractable Tape Measures: These are spring-loaded tapes that automatically recoil the blade into the casing when a button is pressed, offering quick, convenient and portable use.

• Long Tape Measures: Featuring blades of up to 100 metres (or 330 feet), these are non-retractable tapes ideal for surveying, large construction sites and landscaping, where maximum distance measurement is required.
• Fabric/Tailor's Tapes: Made of flexible cloth or plastic, these are perfect for measuring curved surfaces like clothing or human bodies, as they lack a rigid blade.

How to Choose the Right Tape Measures

Selecting the appropriate measuring tape is crucial for efficiency and accuracy. Before you buy your tape measure, consider the key factors below to ensure the tool is suited to your specific trade and environment:

• Measurement System (Metric vs. Imperial): Choose a system that aligns with your project specifications and regional standards. While imperial tape measures (inches/feet) are common in some trades, a dedicated metric tape measure (centimetres/metres) is often standard in engineering and construction globally.
• Dual Measurement System: Dual-unit tapes, featuring both metric and imperial tape measures on the blade, are generally preferable for tradespeople or large teams. This ensures universal compatibility and reduces the need for conversion calculations, streamlining work in locations with mixed standards.
• Blade Length and Width: Select the right tape based on the scale of your work — longer tapes (over 8 metres) are best for large construction and surveying projects, while standard lengths (3 to 5 metres) are sufficient for everyday carpentry and smaller tasks. For common household projects, a 19mm width plastic-cased tape with both reading units works well, balancing portability and reach.
• Durability for Heavy-Duty vs. Light Use: For heavy-duty construction and high-risk environments, look for rugged, steel-cased tapes with thick, nylon-coated blades that resist kinking and abrasion. For light-use or occasional household measuring, a simpler, plastic-cased measuring tape from quality tape measure brands provides sufficient durability.
• Readability: Good blade colour and visibility are vital in demanding, low-light or high-risk environments where accurate reading needs to be fast. Look for tape measures with wide blades and high-contrast markings (e.g., black-on-yellow or different colours for fractional units) to enhance workplace safety and efficiency.

Applications of Tape Measures

Tape measures are versatile tools with applications spanning nearly every industry that requires dimensional accuracy. The type of measuring tape used is often determined by the unit system required by a specific trade.

Metric Tape Measures

The metric tape measure is the global standard, favoured for its decimal basis which simplifies calculations and conversions. Its most notable use cases include:

• Engineering and High-Precision Construction: They are ideal for complex structural work, electrical installations and fabrication where millimetre accuracy is critical to meet design specifications.
• Workshops and Manufacturing Facilities: These tapes are essential in environments that rely on ISO and international standards, ensuring component consistency and quality control across production lines and global supply chains.
• Surveying and Architectural Applications: Architects and surveyors rely on long-length metric tape measures for plotting layouts and performing large-scale site measurements. The use of the decimal-based metric system ensures these large measurements easily correlate with small-scale architectural drawings.

Imperial Tape Measures

The imperial tape measure utilises a system based on feet and inches, with 12 inches making up one foot and each inch typically subdivided into 16 or 32 fractions. Some common use cases include:

• Industrial Projects and Legacy Workplaces: They are essential in manufacturing or industrial settings that have historically adopted imperial standards, ensuring accurate measurements for equipment maintenance, pipe fittings and structural additions.
• Contractors and Tradespeople with Specific Materials: Professionals often require imperial tape measures when working with materials, lumber or machinery imported from regions (like the U.S.) that specify dimensions exclusively in feet and inches.
• Traditional Carpentry and Home Renovation: These tapes remain critical for tradespeople whose work interfaces with older building methods or materials, ensuring consistency when matching dimensions on existing structures.

Your Trusted Tape Measure Supplier and Manufacturer in Australia

Acquiring your tape measures from RS Australia’s digital platform is a straightforward and dependable process. Our extensive online catalogue offers a wide selection of top-quality measuring tape solutions — as well as related products such as vernier calipers and micrometers — from leading manufacturers such as Stanley and Mitutoyo. Once you’ve selected your preferred measuring tape, simply proceed to checkout via any of our convenient online payment options.

When you buy tape measure products from us, you're investing in quality assurance and expert technical support. This, coupled with our competitive prices, ensures you get the best value without compromising on durability or performance.

Additionally, our streamlined delivery services guarantee the swift, nationwide doorstep delivery of your orders across Australia. For complete specifics on dispatch timelines, applicable charges and various shipping choices, kindly consult our dedicated Delivery Page today