He adds, “For most people, a 25-foot option is great because it’s easy to store and long enough to handle most measuring tasks around the house. But if your space is small, a 16-foot tape measure is sufficient for most projects you’d need it for.” We purchased and tested 34 tape measures from several top brands in our product testing lab, evaluating them for accuracy, readability, ease of use, and value. Our top pick, the Irwin Strait-Line Tape Measure, has a unique finger lock to let you easily control the speed of the blade’s recoil, meaning how quickly the blade retracts when released. It’s also very accurate, easy to read, and sturdily constructed. Here are the best tape measures according to our testers. The 1-1/4-inch-wide blade is coated for durability, with the first 6 inches double-coated to prevent fraying, bending, or cracking. The measurement indicators are large and easy to read, with lines sized appropriately to make it easy at a glance to tell if you are looking at 1/16-inch, 1/8-inch, 1/4-inch, or 1/2-inch markings. Standard stud and joist spacings are marked as well. And both sides of the blades have the full range of measurements, so it’s easy to use the tape measure even over your head or in tight or awkward spots. The one downside we found was the standout of this tape measure—that’s the distance the blade of a tape measure can stand out straight without support before bending towards the ground—wasn’t quite as good as some others in our tests. The 25-foot model tested at around 13 feet, not the 17 feet claimed by the manufacturer. The 16-foot model, however, had an acceptable standout of around 12 feet. The dual-sided hook helps keep the blade in place when measuring without an assistant. The belt clip easily attaches to a belt or strap, but this measuring tape is a bit bulky for the designated tape measure holder on some tool pouches. Overall, we found this to be a very accurate, durable, and useful tape measure for professionals, DIYers, and around-the-house users alike. Price at time of publish: $20 for 16-foot; $26 for 25-foot The measurements are in black on both sides of the blade. The blade itself is white on one side and yellow on the other, which gives you options when using the tape measure in a spot with dim light that makes it a little harder to read the measurements. The blade is double-coated nylon for durability but is somewhat flatter than many other tape measures, which reduced standout in our tests to around 9 feet. While this isn’t the best choice if you need a tape measure for frequent or professional use, it’s a worthy addition to the tool box of anyone who just wants a decent tape measure for occasionally measuring objects around the house. Price at time of publish: $15 for 25-foot Still, this tape measure has a lot to recommend it. Most tape measures just have small lines to indicate fractions of an inch, but that can be tough to read. If you need very precise measurements without the bother of squinting at tiny lines, you’ll appreciate this tape measure as much as we do. Unlike most other options, this one has a fractional scale—that means it actually has the fractions printed right onto the nylon blade—so you can see clearly indicated 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2-inch numerals, plus small lines to indicate 1/16ths of an inch. Price at time of publish: $15 for 16-foot; $18 for 25-foot This is a very sturdy tape measure with a 1-3/16-inch matte nylon-coated blade that reduces glare. It has excellent standout, with the 16-foot model testing at around 11 feet and the 25-foot model testing at around 13 feet. The measurements are black against a yellow tape for improved readability, and the marks are down to 1/16th of an inch the entire length of the blade. It also has standard measurements for studs and joists. Price at time of publish: $20 for 16-foot; $25 for 25-foot The tape measure includes a magnetic tip, which is very useful for holding the end of the tape measure in place when measuring metallic objects. The magnetic tip can be removed if desired, though; this is a useful feature not found on many tape measures. There’s a slide lock for keeping the blade extended at your desired measurement, and we found it easy to lock and unlock the blade with just one hand. The recoil when releasing the blade can be quite strong; our tester commented that it might actually knock the tape measure right out of your hands if your grip isn’t secure. However, overall this is an accurate, sturdy, and reliable tool, especially if you tend to drop tape measures or put them through rigorous use. Price at time of publish: $24 for 16-foot; $31 for 25-foot The measurements are marked in large, easy-to-read black numbers down to 1/16ths of an inch. Standard stud and joist spacings are marked as well. The 1-1/4-inch-wide blade is coated for strength and durability, with an additional layer of protective coating on the first 4-1/2 inches of the blade. In our tests, the standout was around 10 feet, which isn’t especially impressive but is more than adequate for the types of projects typically handled by DIYers or for use around the home. Price at time of publish: $24 for 25-foot In our tests, the standout of both the 16-foot and 25-foot tape measures was around 9 feet, which is shorter than most others we evaluated. The blade lock was easy to use with just one thumb, and the recoil was smooth and not overly aggressive, however, making the tape measure well suited for use in projects around the home, workshop, or garage. It’s very reasonably priced, as well. While this is not a professional-level tool, it is a fine choice for the average user, especially one who struggles to read the markings on most other tape measures. Price at time of publish: $14 for 16-foot; $18 for 25-foot Both tape measures were very accurate in our tests. Like most such tools, the markings are in 1/16-inch increments, with standard stud and joist spacings also indicated on the blade. The numbers are large enough for easy reading, but the 1-1/4-inch-wide blade only has measurements marked on one side of the tape. We found the blade pulled out smoothly and retracted well, although when we stopped the recoil halfway through, we needed to give it a boost to start it again. The standout of the 16-foot model in our tests was around 10-1/2 feet and the 25-foot model had an average standout of around 12-1/2 feet. While this heavy-duty tape measure is probably more than you need for typical use around the house, we highly recommend it for people who need a tape measure that can survive the rigors of a jobsite. Price at time of publish: $26 for 16-foot; $34 for 25-foot The testers started by assessing the feel of the tape measure in their hand, considering the size and weight of the tape measure, the placement of the blade lock button or lever, and the overall sturdiness of the tool. They then used the belt clip to attach the tape measure to their belts, noting the ease of doing so. Next, they tested the accuracy of the tape measures by using them to measure several different lengths on known-accurate gauge blocks and steel rules. While doing so, the testers evaluated the tape measures for readability, noting how difficult or easy it was to precisely read the measurement markings. Each tape measure was used for both inside and outside measuring: an inside measurement means that the hook at the tip of the tape measure blade is pressed against the edge of the item being measured, whereas an outside measurement means that the hook is latched over the edge of the item being measured. Tape measures with magnetic hooks were also tested while clinging to a metallic object. Our testers then evaluated every tape measure for standout, which is the distance the unsupported, extended blade of the tool can remain rigid before bending towards the floor. Each tape measure was extended to its full length while the tester held it at various angles and noted the point at which the tape measure could no longer remain straight. Recoil, or retraction of the blade, was the next test. The testers extended the tape measure blade to various lengths and then used the manual lock (or autolock on those tape measures with this feature) to hold the blade in place. The testers then released the lock and allowed the blade to retract both freely and with control from the testers’ fingers. This was repeated several times while the recoil was evaluated for smoothness, aggressiveness, and ease of control. Finally, every tape measure was dropped from a height of 12 to 15 feet to the floor. The tape measure was then checked for any signs of damage. Once all testing was completed, the testers assigned each tape measure a score of 1 to 5 in categories of accuracy, durability, ease of use, performance, and value. These scores were added to the testing results and the numbers were tabulated to choose the top-scoring tape measures.
What to Look for In a Tape Measure
Type
There are three common types of tape measures: cased, reel, and sewing. Cased tape measures are the most familiar type, and the type we tested at our lab. These tape measures have a retractable blade marked with imperial or metric measurements, and a case that’s made of plastic or metal. This type of tape measure is a must-have in your toolkit and is useful for most measuring tasks around the home. The Irwin Strait-Line is a top option for any tool collection. Reel tape measures are most often used by surveyors and others needing to measure large stretches of open space. These tools typically have a very long blade—some are several hundred feet long—but instead of an enclosed case, the blade is retracted onto a reel by turning a hand crank. While most DIYers don’t need this type of tape measure, it’s useful if you need to measure a large flat space, such as a deck or long fence. Sewing tape measures are flexible tapes that don’t have a case. These are very useful tools for sewing and similar projects but are also handy for taking body measurements, measuring items with curved surfaces, or general measuring tasks around the home. The most common length for a sewing tape measure is 5 feet, but there are some as long as 12 feet.
Material
Typically, a cased tape measure has a blade made of steel or fiberglass, often coated with nylon or similar material for durability and water resistance. The case might be plastic or metal. If plastic, it should be heavy enough to withstand regular use and occasional drops. Metal cases are heavier but sturdier. Either material is often covered at least partly with a rubberized coating to add extra grip and to help the tool withstand drops without cracking. The Stanley FatMax is especially durable and constructed to stand up to rigorous use on jobsites.
Length
When it comes to choosing a tape measure, don’t automatically assume that the longer, the better. The most common length for a cased tape measure is 25 feet, which is long enough to measure the average room’s walls or floors, yet not so long that it’s unwieldy or overly heavy. But there are shorter tape measures for those only needing the tool for small tasks like measuring a piece of furniture, looking for the right spot to drive a nail to hang a picture, or centering a television. And of course, there are also much longer tape measures that come in handy when measuring floors or walls in large rooms or outdoor areas. Other than 25 feet, the most common sizes are 12, 16, 30, and 35 feet. As for the blade width, around 1 inch is best. Thinner than that, and the blade can be flimsy. Wider, and you may find the tape measure too bulky or difficult to retract.
Markings
All tape measures have markings to indicate increments of length. Most tape measures sold in the US have only imperial measurements, meaning inches and feet. There are some, however, that also have metric measurements, so if that is important, be sure to check before you buy. Most commonly, tape measures have numerals for inches and feet, and small lines to indicate fractions of inches. There are some, however, including the Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure, that actually indicate the fractions with numerals rather than lines, which can be much easier to read.
Clip
Most cased tape measures have some sort of clip so you can easily carry the tool on your belt or toolbag. A steel clip is the most durable. The clip should be thick enough so it won’t snap or bend, but not so thick that it’s bulky or hard to use. A rounded design won’t snag or wear on your clothing.
Hook
The metal tip of a cased tape measure is called the hook or the tang. The hook lets you “catch” the end of the tape measure in place to keep it steady while you extend it. A good hook is large enough to hold in place when required, but not so large that it catches where you don’t want it to. Additionally, hooks with upright points are more likely to catch on items other than what you are measuring. Some tape measures have a magnetic hook, which is useful when measuring steel or other magnetic metal items but can potentially be a nuisance, as the magnet can attach itself to various nearby metal items other than what you want to measure. The DEWALT Tough Series has a removable magnetic tip, so you can take it off when not needed.
Standout
The standout of a cased tape measure is the distance the unsupported blade can extend before it bends or sags. As a general rule, a tape measure’s standout should be at least 7 or 8 feet, although many go further.
Autolock
Most cased tape measures have a small toggle that locks the extended blade in place with a push of your thumb, preventing the blade from retracting before you are done with it. There are some, however, that automatically lock the blade in place as it is extended, and do not release the blade until you push the button to retract it, such as the Milwaukee Compact Auto Lock. Neither option is necessarily superior; it’s mostly a matter of preference.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the home improvement/tool editor for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs. For this roundup, she relied on results from product testers, as well as manufacturer information and customer feedback both positive and negative. Additional reporting was done by Nadia Hassani, a master gardener with over 20 years of gardening experience. And Michael DiMartino, Senior Vice President of Installations at Power Home Remodeling offered further advice.
What Is Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure that we fully stand behind every product we recommend and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all of these products ourselves, though occasionally, we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.
