How to Make Your Own Measuring Tape

Tape measures are useful for measuring the distance between two points that are farther apart than 12 inches or are not suitable to measure with a straight-edged ruler. While you can always purchase a tape measure, it may be cost-effective to create one using materials that are found around your home or office. Making your own tape measure can also serve as an engaging learning activity when shared with your children or students.

Fine-point permanent marker
12-inch ruler
Nonadhesive ribbon or fabric strip
Scissors

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the ruler on a flat hard surface such as a table or floor.
- 2
  Match up the start of the ribbon with the first notch on the ruler and then extend the ribbon along one edge of the ruler until it reaches the last measurement notch.
- 3
  Ensure that the ribbon is aligned with the start of the ruler, and then use the marker to draw a line where the ribbon meets the 12-inch marking on the ruler.
- 4
  Move the first line on the ribbon -- the 12-inch line -- so that it is in the same position as the first marking on the ruler.
- 5
  Align the ribbon along the ruler and draw a second line at the 12-inch mark. You should now have two lines on the ribbon, one to indicate 12 inches and a second to indicate 24 inches.
- 6
  Repeat steps 3 to 5 three more times, until you have marked off 60 inches of ribbon.
- 7
  Place the ruler between the 12-inch markings on the ribbon to make lines for smaller measurements. At a minimum, include the half-inch markings (two spaces between inches) and quarter-inch markings (four spaces between inches). Draw smaller lines for smaller measurements. For example, the quarter-inch marks must be smaller than the half-inch marks.
- 8
  Number the inch marks from one to 60 on the ribbon.

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