How to read a tape measure — and five things you didn't know you could do with it

The basic purpose of a tape measure is obvious, but it can be hard to get a precise measurement if it isn't used properly. Following is the text of the video.

How to read a tape measure — and five surprising hacks. First, let's focus on the numbers. These numbers are inches. In-between each inch are various black dashes. Each gap is 1/16th of an inch. The long middle dash indicates half an inch. But there's much more to a tape measure than just the inches. Don't worry if your tape measure hook moves, it's designed to be loose. It goes in if you push it against something and comes out if hooked, like on a piece of wood.. The movement accounts for the hook's 1/16" thickness. The hole in the hook isn't for decoration. It's designed to latch onto screws and nails. You can even use it to draw circles. Latch on, lock the measure, and hold a pen against the casing. The edges on the hook are also useful. They can be used to make a mark on the wood. The casing is also its own measuring tool. On the back, it will tell you how long it is so you don't have to curl the tape to measure a tight space. Don't underestimate the tape measure as a tool.

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