Identify the measurement system
Use inches and feet on imperial tape
Use centimeters and millimeters on metric tape
Start from the zero mark
Hook the metal end on the edge
Pull the tape straight
Keep the tape flat against the surface
Read the largest marked unit first
Count smaller marks after the largest unit
Read inch marks as whole inches
Read half-inch marks as 1/2
Read quarter-inch marks as 1/4 or 3/4
Read eighth-inch marks as 1/8, 3/8, 5/8, or 7/8
Read sixteenth-inch marks as 1/16, 3/16, 5/16, 7/16, 9/16, 11/16, 13/16, or 15/16
Read centimeter marks as whole centimeters
Read millimeter marks as single millimeters
Combine the whole unit with the smallest mark
Mark the measurement with a pencil
Lock the tape before marking
Retract the tape slowly