Tape measures are a staple in everyone’s toolbox from the most seasoned Pro to the greenest DIYer. Ranging in length and price, most cost less than $30. But are all tape measures created equally? Of course not. We’re breaking things down into the categories our Pro team says are most important when they’re looking for the best tape measure.
Best Tape Measure Overall
Crescent Lufkin Shockforce Nite Eye G2
When we went looking for the best tape measure, we wanted it all: durability, standout, accuracy, visibility, hook grip, ergonomics, and features. While there are several great options, it’s the Crescent Lufkin Shockforce G2 Nighteye that stands out above the rest for us. It’s not the best in every single category, but it does everything well and it has a fantastic blade color for those of us with less-than-ideal vision.
25-Foot Price: $27.98 (L1225B-02)
Buy at Lowe’s
Best Heavy-Duty Tape Measure
DeWalt Tough Series Tape Measures
There have been some outstanding heavy-duty tape measures to hit the market in the past several years. Milwaukee’s Stud, DeWalt’s XP followed by its Tough Series, Crescent Lufkin’s Shockforce, and others have been pushing the durability expectations to new levels. So which one is the best?
In our opinion, it’s the DeWalt Tough Series tape measures. Solid housing construction combined with a generous layer of overmold to protect it stands up to just about anything we’ve been able to throw at it, including chucking as high as we could and letting it fall to the asphalt. With nothing more than a scratch for our efforts, it’s one tough measure.
25-Foot Price: $28.97 (DWHT36925S)
Buy at The Home Depot
Best Magnetic Tape Measure
Milwaukee Stud Magnetic Tape Measures
Crescent’s Shockforce and DeWalt Tough Series both have magnetic options we heartily recommend. However, the one we pick up most often in our shop is Milwaukee’s second-generation Stud. It starts with a durable Exo360 nylon blade coating that resists cracking well and houses it in a durable frame. The magnetic hook grips steel surfaces solidly and our team loves the finger stop brake feature both extending and controlling the recoil on the way back in.
25-Foot Price: $30.97 (48-22-9725M)
Buy at Acme Tools
Best Laser Tape Measure
Skil 65-Foot Laser Measurer with Wheel
There are plenty of great laser distance measures to choose from, but not all of them have a tape measure function. If you want to measure traditionally without having an object to bounce the laser off of, you need a wheel to roll across the surface instead. For that feature, look to Skil’s laser distance measure.
When you need more than just the tape measure function, you can measure in real-time out to 65 feet or calculate area for quick estimates. You get it all with an accuracy of ±1/8-inch.
For a deeper dive into laser distance measures, check out our recommendations here.
Price: $49.99 (ME9821-00)
Buy at Acme Tools
Best Tape Measure Value
Stanley FatMax Tape Measures
Value is more than just price. It’s what you get for your money and that takes into consideration the whole package: function, durability, readability, standout, and more. Over and over again, we hear from Pros in the field and from our readers that Stanley FatMax is the only tape measure they’ll use. Why? Because it’s accurate, reliable, and affordable.
The classic 25-foot tape measure is still under $20, it’s Made in the USA using global materials, and we believe it’s the best bang for your buck.
25-Foot Price: $16.99 (33-725)
Buy at Acme Tools
Best Tape Measure From More Brands We Trust
Best HART Tape Measure
HART has an impressive depth to its line of tape measures that includes keychain, standard, and chrome models. Our top choice is the Pro Grade model and it’s available in 16 to 30-foot lengths, though only the 25-foot is available in both magnetic and non-magnetic.
Sporting 11 feet of standout, easy-to-read fraction markings (single-side printing), and greater overmold protection than many tapes we’ve used, it’s also easy on your wallet in the sub-$15 class.
25-Foot Price: $14.35 (HHTMPN25)
Best Klein Tape Measure
Whether you’re an electrician or not, Klein makes some durable tape measures and its magnetic models hold stronger than most. Seriously, we’ve used a Klein tape measure as a magnetic grabber for dropped fasteners and small hand tools in the past. They have just one non-magnetic model (25-foot) while covering 16, 25, and 30-foot lengths along with a 7.5-meter model on the metric side for magnetic options.
Standout is excellent at 13 feet, the magnetic models feature a double hook that offers better top grabbing, and the nylon-coated blade has printing on both sides. Thanks to Klein’s focus on electricians, they also have a conduit bending table and a 3-phase layout guide on the backside of the blade.
25-Foot Price (Magnetic): $26.97 (9225R)
Buy at The Home Depot
Best Komelon Tape Measure
Komelon tape measures are popular thanks to a price that’s very easy on your wallet. They’re great for around the house and people that tend to lose them often. They also have a Contractor series that’s more appropriate for typical jobsite use and that’s the line we recommend.
It covers 16, 25, and 40-foot lengths, and only the 25-foot is available with a magnetic hook. They have a nylon-coated blade that’s 20% thicker and a stainless steel spring to help them last longer than Komelon’s less expensive tapes.
25-Foot Price: $18.99 (M25LR)
Buy at Lowe’s
Best Ox Tools Tape Measure
Ox Tools isn’t crazy-deep in the measuring tools category just yet, but we liked what we saw from its Pro Tuff tape measure. Its 13 feet of standout is solid and it felt better in our hands than the bulkier version from a few years back. What really opened our eyes is the improvement in durability for both the housing and the nylon-coated blade.
25-Foot Price: $19.98
Buy at Lowe’s
Best Ryobi Tape Measure
Ryobi doesn’t do a whole lot in the hand tool department, but they do have a highly affordable 25-foot tape measure. Almost completely surrounded by overmold, it’s a compact model with a smaller blade and a somewhat tame 7-foot standout. Still, for less than $8, you can afford to buy several so there’s one everywhere you might need it.
Price: $7.98 (RTM25)
Buy at The Home Depot
Best Stabila Tape Measure
Stabila is known for the quality of its levels and that might make its tape measures fly under the radar a bit. Between the BM 100 and the BM 300 lines, we prefer the more durable 300 series. Its strong housing benefits from plenty of overmold. The blade is nylon-coated with printing on both sides and capable of a 10-foot standout. Stabila also adds a unique hook grip on the lower side to help keep it from slipping. It’s available in 16 or 26-foot lengths.
26-Foot Price: $25.00 (30526)
Buy at Acme Tools
Best Tape Measure Buying Guide
Accuracy
Before you worry about anything else, a tape measure has to be accurate. If it isn’t, nothing else matters. Nearly every name-brand tape measure is solid in this department. The ones that aren’t accurate usually have a bent hook that you can fix on a Lixer tape measure calibrating tool.
Durability
Once you know your tape is accurate, durability is the next major concern. Most tape measures are capable of surviving dozens, if not hundreds, of drops onto concrete from workbench height. Drops from greater heights are where we begin to see the difference.
To get the best durability, look for a tape measure with at least four connection points on the housing and plenty of overmold to protect it. Also keep an eye open for at least three rivets holding the hook on, nylon coating over the entire blade, and additional coating over the first foot or so.
Length
The best tape measure length is completely dependent on your needs, but we find a 25-foot tape is the best all-around. If you’re looking for something more compact, go with a 16-foot. Go with a 35-foot if you’re consistently measuring more than 25 feet at a time.
Clip Design
Having a good clip can make or break your tape measure experience. After all, when they’re not in our toolboxes or on a workbench, we usually clip tape measures to our belts. The strength of the clip is part of the equation, a design that slides on and off your belt without too much difficulty is the other.
You can test the clip strength in the store by simply pulling on it while it’s in the package. The ease of sliding on and off is a little trickier, but we find that clips with a flare out at the bottom tend to work the best.
Visibility
If it’s accurate and it’s tough, you just need to be able to read the markings. In searching for the best tape measure, there are some interesting ways to improve visibility. You can go with bolder markings, reverse contrast, or even buck the trend of traditional black and yellow colors. Everyone’s eyes are different, and fortunately, you can easily see the difference for yourself in the store.
Standout and Throw
Manufacturers love to tout the standout of their tape measures and there are plenty of jobsite jokes that go along with it. For our team, standout is important – up until 9′ or so. As long as the standout gets you beyond the length of sheet material, we’re pretty happy. You can definitely make the argument for 10′ – 16′ lumber that you might work with, but you’re sliding the hook over those longer pieces most of the time.
Closely related, but rarely discussed is tape measure throw. Since the goal is to not have to walk from one end of the material to the other, the farther you can throw the tape’s blade, the better. Many Pros throw it out there, then continue extending the blade across the top of the material until it reaches the end. The downside of throwing the blade is that you often give up standout length because of the action.
Ease it out for better standout or throw it out for quicker work? It’s your call. The best tape measure will have a balance of the standout and throw and our Pros like 8 feet as a minimum standard for both. The more the better, though.
Hook Design
A tape measure absolutely has to hook easily on the top and bottom. The best tape measure will give you solid hooking on the sides and even naturally turn so the edge of the blade is flush on your material. For the most part, the larger the hook the better, but you can overdo it. Too much mass will make the hook flip when you’re trying to grab on the side.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics on tape measuresare less about the weight and more about how naturally they fit in your hand. Since everyone’s hand is different, there are a lot of different opinions about which size feels the best.
Price and Value
It wasn’t all that long ago that paying more than $20 for a tape measure was a lot. Now, premium tapes can cost $30 or more. You certainly get better durability and features at those higher price points, but it’s up to you to decide what’s worth it.
Bonus Features
Magnetic Hook
A magnetic hook helps when you’re doing layout or measurement around steel. But there are also times when you might not want it.
Nylon Blade Coating
Nylon coating on the blade helps reduce the amount of wear that eventually starts rusting and peeling away.
Finger Brake
Some of the springs in these tape measures will give your finger a pretty good pinch if you’re not careful.
Dual Side Blade Printing
Printing on both sides of the tape is helpful as you’re working around different scenarios.
Auto Lock
Love it or hate it, auto lock mechanisms stop the tape as you extend it rather than forcing you to use the thumb lock.
Bonus Markings and Scales
Some of these tapes give you a little more bang for your buck with additional scales for certain applications.
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FAQs
What is the most accurate tape measure on the market? ›
Class 1 tapes are the most accurate tape measures on the market. Ideal for precision trades and sensitive industries, they also delivery great value for money.
What is the best tape measure to use? ›BEST Tape Measure Overall. The BEST tape measure overall was the Stanley FATMAX. The FATMAX had the highest score in magnetic hold, debris testing, drop testing, hook durability and blade thickness.
What is the easiest tape measure to read? ›The easiest tape measure to read has standard scales on both sides of the tape, with no metric marks. A good example is the builder's perennial favorite, the Stanley PowerLock. The 25-foot version is the most versatile and easier to read than smaller tapes.
What are the 3 things to consider when selecting a tape measure? ›- Size – Is Bigger Always Better? Put simply, no. ...
- Hook Type. You might think with pocket tapes that all end hooks are the same... ...
- Accuracy. Tape measures are generally split into four standards of accuracy. ...
- Graduations / Units of Measurement. ...
- Blade Material. ...
- Case Design. ...
- Locking Mechanism.
The FastCap ProCarpenter is a tape measure designed with finish carpenters in mind who are often taking small measurements that must be exact.
How do I know if my tape measure is accurate? ›Is My Tape Measure Accurate? - YouTube
Are Craftsman tape measures any good? ›What is the best brand of tape measures? Our research and testing found that Milwaukee, Craftsman, Stanley, Klein Tools and Crescent Tools are the best tape measure brands. All offer tape measures that are durable, feature-packed and include lifetime warranties.
What is the toughest tape measure? ›Hand tool manufacturer Crescent are proud to introduce the toughest tape measure in the world: the Crescent Lufkin Shockforce. Crafted to endure the demands of tradespeople, the Shockforce delivers long-lasting performance for any jobsite, no matter how heavy-duty the task.
Does Stanley make the best tape measure? ›Best Overall: Stanley PowerLock Tape Measure
The Stanley PowerLock is our top pick. While 25 feet is standard, it is also available in options of 12, 16, 30, or 35 feet, and offers 10 feet of standout.
A: I bought mine in 1988 and at that time all of the materials used to make the tape measure, however, according to Stanley, all tape measures are made in the USA using global materials meaning some of the tape measures may have foreign parts.
Where are crescent Lufkin tape measures made? ›
It's designed, engineered, and tested in the USA, but made in China.
Is there a difference in measuring tapes? ›A tape measure usually has two different measurement systems on it. This is a mix of the inch system and the metric system. Most manufacturers have opted to use both systems, for whatever reason. Even though modern-day measurements are usually taken in inches, some do not, so the calibrations stay.
What are the 2 types of tape measures? ›There are four basic types of tape measures: case, long or open-reel tapes, diameter tape (D-tape) and sewing tapes.
Are all tape measures the same? ›Not all tape measures are equally accurate! Measuring accuracy is the most important aspect in tape measures. It is measured and marked with an accuracy class. The accuracy class of a tape measure indicates its instrumental bias within prescribed limits.
Where are Komelon tape measures made? ›Komelon Co.
(hangul:코멜론주식회사, KRX: 049430) is a Korean chemical, machinery, tool and engineering company, headquartered in Busan, Korea. Established in 1963, it manufactures plastic and steel tape measures, level gauges and other tool products.
On an engineering tape measure, the foot is not divided into inches, but into tenths, or larger factors of 10, such as 1/20. 1/30, 1/50 or 1/60. With this type of tape measure, values greater than 1 foot can be multiplied without first converting the value to another unit, particularly in the case of tenths of a foot.
Are laser tape measures accurate? ›Most laser measurers are accurate within 1/8 inch, though some are accurate within 1/16 inch. This accuracy can be maintained within the laser's measurable range. The maximum measurable distance of laser measurers ranges from 100 to 1,000 feet, depending on the exact model.
What do the black diamonds on a tape measure mean? ›The black diamonds which appear every 19 3/16” on metal tape measures are for spacing I-beam “timbers.” Several wood-product manufacturers offer I-beam “timbers” as a substitute for solid lumber floor joists. The diamond marks on tape rule blades are for spacing these engineered floor joists in new construction.
Can a measuring tape be wrong? ›The habit of bending the tape measure into the corner and “eyeballing” the measurement can lead to inaccuracies. Instead, incorporate the width of the tape measure's base into your measurement. Many tape measures have their base's width printed on them, with three inches being the most common.
How do you recalibrate a tape measure? ›To calibrate a tape measure, you need a trusty tool with a clever name — a tape measure calibrator! This tool has a slot in it, where you will place the metal tab at the end of the tape. You can check both the push and pull measurements against the measurement marks engraved on the calibrator.
What is the reach of a tape measure? ›
Standout is the point where a tape measure blade will buckle under its weight at maximum extension, and reach is the added 3 feet of average pro user arm length to reflect the distance between point of max standout and the front of the tape measure.
How much does a tape measure weigh? ›This tool weighs just 0.15 oz. The Stanley 100 ft. Tape Measure features easy-to-read markings on the tape that allow for easy and accurate measurement readings.
Why is a tape measure end loose? ›Why Does The End Of A Tape Measure Move-A Detailed Answer
Why does the hook on a tape measure move? ›Why Does The Hook On A Tape Measure Move? - YouTube
Why is 16 inches marked on a tape measure? ›The centre of one stud is generally positioned 16 inches from the centre of the stud before it – hence the 16” stud mark.
Are auto lock tape measures good? ›Auto-lock tape measures have easy to read graduations and numbers; this allows professionals to take accurate measurements, even in less than ideal conditions, such as low light.
Can I use my phone as a tape measure? ›Google's augmented reality app “Measure” turns ARCore-compatible Android smartphones into digital measuring tapes, as reported by Ars Technica. Using the app appears to be rather simple. Simply launch Measure, point the phone's camera to an object, then pick two points to measure the distance in between.
Why are tape measures yellow? ›Tape measures often have black and red measurements on a yellow background as this is the optimal color combination for readability.
Who makes Lufkin tapes? ›STANLEY® Tools warrants tape measures against deficiencies in material and workmanship for the useful life of the tool.
How do you fix a ripped out tape measure too far? ›
How to fix tape measure that came all the way out - YouTube
Are Stanley products made in China? ›Cohen cites the example of Stanley Black & Decker. Although the world's largest tool company has a manufacturing footprint in North America and Europe, the vast majority of its manufacturing has been in China.
What company owns Stanley tools? ›About STANLEY
STANLEY® is a leading global manufacturer of hand tools, power tools and related accessories, and a flagship brand of the wider Stanley Black & Decker Corporation.
Stanley Fatmax tools are for the professional tradesperson and serious home improver. FatMax tools are designed to help you work smarter and faster thanks to their innovative design. The Stanley fat max range covers everything you need to get the job done, whether working on site or at home.
Does Crescent have lifetime warranty? ›Crescent® hand tools are warranted for Life to be free of defects in material and workmanship. Carrying cases, pouches, accessory bits and consumable products, if any, are not covered by this Warranty.
Does Lufkin have a lifetime warranty? ›With our Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty we make sure you enjoy your vehicle to the fullest.
Is Lufkin owned by Crescent? ›Today, as Crescent Lufkin®, the brand is a market leader for measuring products from Apex Tool Group, one of the largest hand tool manufacturers in the world.
How accurate are digital tape measures? ›Standard digital tape measures will be accurate within 1/8 to 1/16 of an inch.
What tape measure has the longest standout? ›...
Milwaukee's New Measuring Tapes Standout Among the Rest.
Both iOS and Android enable you to point your phone at things to see how big, small, long or far away they are, and they can also do useful things such as help you calculate the area of an object or dimension.
Are laser tape measures accurate? ›
Most laser measurers are accurate within 1/8 inch, though some are accurate within 1/16 inch. This accuracy can be maintained within the laser's measurable range. The maximum measurable distance of laser measurers ranges from 100 to 1,000 feet, depending on the exact model.
What is the most accurate measuring tool? ›Micrometers: In the hands of a skilled operator, the precision micrometer is the most accurate hand-held tool available.
Why does a tape measure have a diamond at 19 3 16? ›The black diamonds which appear every 19 3/16” on metal tape measures are for spacing I-beam “timbers.” Several wood-product manufacturers offer I-beam “timbers” as a substitute for solid lumber floor joists. The diamond marks on tape rule blades are for spacing these engineered floor joists in new construction.
How good are laser measures? ›Q: How accurate is a laser distance measurer? An average laser distance measurer is capable of accurately measuring a distance to within 1/8-inch or even 1/16-inch at a distance of 50 feet.
Are Craftsman tape measures any good? ›What is the best brand of tape measures? Our research and testing found that Milwaukee, Craftsman, Stanley, Klein Tools and Crescent Tools are the best tape measure brands. All offer tape measures that are durable, feature-packed and include lifetime warranties.
Are Stanley tape measures made in the USA? ›A: I bought mine in 1988 and at that time all of the materials used to make the tape measure, however, according to Stanley, all tape measures are made in the USA using global materials meaning some of the tape measures may have foreign parts.
What is the best free tape measure app? ›- Ruler (2022) Utilities.
- Ruler AR - Tape Measure. Utilities.
- CamToPlan - AR tape measure. Utilities.
- Measuring Tape: AR Measure App. Utilities.
- AR Plan 3D: Room Measure App. Utilities.
- Ruler, Measuring Tape - AR. Utilities.
Can I use my phone camera to measure? Google's augmented reality app “Measure” turns ARCore-compatible Android smartphones into digital measuring tapes. Simply launch Measure, point the phone's camera to an object, then pick two points to measure the distance in between.
What is the best free measuring app for iPhone? ›- Easy Measure. ...
- DEWALT Mobile Pro. ...
- Compass. ...
- Photo Measures Lite. ...
- Space Heating Energy Calculator and Water Heating Energy Calculator.
Most lasers measurers on the market are easy to fit into the palm of your hand, but some are bigger than others. If you have small hands and want a small unit that is easily controlled, or if you have big hands and need a larger laser for ease of use, check on the exact size of any model you are considering.
Can a laser measure replace a tape measure? ›
Laser tape measures are alternatives to traditional metal tape measures; they're used to calculate lengths, widths and heights of up to about 650 feet (198 meters). They're generally considered accurate to within an eighth of an inch (3 millimeters) when measuring a distance of up to 300 feet (91.5 meters).
What can make a laser level give you inaccurate measurements? ›Laser Measuring Devices depend on the reflection of an internally generated laser beam to measure the distance between two points. In a very few instances, the distant surface will "absorb" or "refract" rather than reflect the laser beam, resulting in inaccurate measurements.