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SCARSDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

READING A RULER
Ruler Scales:

1”
1/2”
1/4” 3/4” THE NUMBER FOR WHOLE
1/8” 3/8” 5/8” 7/8” INCHES APPEARS TO THE
LEFT OF ITS MARK.

8ths 1 2

8ths Scale: Each inch is divided into 8 parts and the smallest division
is 1/8 of an inch. All fractions must have a denominator of 8, 4 or 2.

3/16” 7/16” 11/16” 15/16”

1/16” 5/16” 9/16” 13/16”

16ths 1 2

16ths Scale: Each inch is divided into 16 parts and the smallest
division is 1/16 of an inch. All fractions must have a denominator of
16, 8, 4 or 2.

Rulers may also have scales of 32nds and 64ths. Divisions smaller
than 64ths are too difficult to read. Specialized rulers may have
different scales that aren’t based on 8ths.
Making a Measurement:
1. Determine what scale you are using.
2. Align the left end of the ruler with one edge of the part you are
measuring.
3. Count the number of whole inches (if there are any).
4. Count the remaining number of divisions (if there are any) and
add them to the number of whole inches.
5. Reduce the fraction (if there is one) to its simplest form.

Example: Measure the width of the gray object.

16ths 1 2

1 4
2 3

1. Ruler’s scale is 16ths.

2. Ruler is aligned properly.
3. 2 whole inches.
4. Plus 8 16ths = 2 8/16”.
5. Reduce: 2 8/16” = 2 ½”.

Remember:
• We don’t use the metric system in this country. All of your
results must be in inches or feet. NO MILLIMETERS,
CENTIMETERS OR METERS.
• 8ths and 16ths are the denominators of fractions. Any fractions
in your results should have a denominator of 8, 4 or 2 if you are
using the 8ths scale and 16, 8, 4 or 2 if you are using 16ths.
Also, your results should not contain any decimals.