McMaster-Carr logo
    Forward
    Enter e-mail addresses in the fields below
    Message
    Cancel
    Print
    How can we improve?
    Comments
    E-mail address (if you would like a response)
    30 Products
    About High-Quality Rulers
    industrial info icon

    What separates a throwaway ruler from one you’ll keep for decades, which type is best for everyday use, and how to compare materials.

    High-Accuracy Rulers

    With tolerances tight enough for machining detailed parts, these rulers are the most accurate we offer. They're also the most precise, with graduations as small as 1/64", so you can trust them for even the tiniest dimensions. Also known as machinists' rules.
    All are precision made and etched in the U.S. to meet federal standards. Made of tempered steel for extra strength, they keep their shape even after multiple hard hits and drops, so they'll measure accurately for years to come. Their graduations are deeply engraved and blackened with ink, meaning they won't rub off like printed graduations can.
    Satin Chrome-Plated Steel with Easy-Align Hook End
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Rulers. High-Accuracy Rulers, Chrome-Plated Steel, Easy Align Hook End.
    Take accurate measurements even when you can't see the exact edge of what you're measuring, such as when working with round corners. Similar to a tape measure, these rulers have a hook on one end to catch the edge of an object, keeping the ruler straight. Turn the stud to remove or reverse the hook.
    Tough enough to handle most tasks, these rulers are chrome plated to resist rust. Their satin finish reduces glare for easy reading.
    Starrett Rulers—These rulers are manufactured by Starrett, one of the most trusted names for precision measuring tools.
    Rulers
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Back Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Accuracy
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Mfr. Model
    No.
    Each
    Inch
     
    Starrett Rulers
    6"1/64" (8/64"), 1/32" (4/32")1/8" (1"), 1/16" (1")-0.0035" to 0.004"3/4"3/64"CH604R-60000000000000
    12"1/64" (8/64"), 1/32" (4/32")1/8" (1"), 1/16" (1")-0.0035" to 0.005"1"3/64"CH604R-12000000000000
     

    Vertical Rulers

    No need to read sideways when measuring height and depth—the numbers on these rulers are printed from bottom to top or top to bottom.
    Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel with Easy-Align Hook End
    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. Vertical Rulers, Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel with Easy-Align Hook End.
    Similar to a tape measure, these rulers have a hook on one end to catch the edge of an object, keeping them straight as you measure. They're crafted from a single piece of metal, ensuring the hook always stays aligned with the scale.
    Made of stainless steel, these rulers won't rust when rinsed, rained on, or wiped down with degreasers or cleaning solutions. They're hardened to prevent dents and scratches, so you can trust they'll last for years to come. Etched and filled with black ink, their graduations won't rub off like printed graduations can.
    Rulers
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Back Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Each
    Inch/Metric
     
    Top-to-Bottom Reading Direction
    12"/30 cm1/32" (1"), 1 mm (1 cm)1 mm (1 cm), 1/32" (1")13/16"1/32"00000000000000
    18"/45 cm1/32" (1"), 1 mm (1 cm)1 mm (1 cm), 1/32" (1")13/16"1/32"0000000000000
    24"/60 cm1/32" (1"), 1 mm (1 cm)1 mm (1 cm), 1/32" (1")13/16"1/32"0000000000000
     

    Pica Rulers

    Measure text, columns, margins, and other print elements in picas.
    Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel with Easy-Align Hook End
    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. Pica Rulers.
    Similar to a tape measure, these rulers have a hook on one end to catch the edge of paper and print materials, keeping the ruler straight as you measure. They're crafted from a single piece of stainless steel, so you can be confident the hook will always stay aligned with the scale. Etched and filled with black ink, their graduations won't rub off like printed graduations can.
    Rulers
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Back Graduations (Numeric Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Each
    Inch/Typography
     
    Top-to-Bottom Reading Direction
    12"6 point (1 pica), 1/16" (1")8 point (16 point), 10 point (20 point)13/16"1/32"0000000000000
    18"6 point (1 pica), 1/16" (1")8 point (16 point), 10 point (20 point)13/16"1/32"000000000000
    24"6 point (1 pica), 1/16" (1")8 point (16 point), 10 point (20 point)13/16"1/32"000000000000
     
    Inch/Metric/Typography
     
    Top-to-Bottom Reading Direction
    12"6 point (1 pica), 1 point (6 point)1 mm (10 mm), 1/16" (1")13/16"1/32"000000000000
     

    Pocket Rulers

    No bigger than a pen, these rulers slip into your pocket for measuring on the go. Clip them to your pocket to keep them from falling out or getting misplaced. The clip doubles as a sliding depth gauge, so you can measure the inside of counterbores and other holes.
    Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel
    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. Pocket Rulers.
    These rulers won't rust when rinsed, rained on, or wiped down with degreasers or cleaning solutions. They're hardened to prevent dents and scratches, so you can trust they'll last for years to come. Etched and filled with black ink, their graduations won't rub off like printed graduations can.
    Rulers
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    End
    Shape
    Each
    Inch/Metric
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    6"/150 mm1/64" (8/64"), 1 mm (1 cm)1/2"1/64"Round000000000000
    6"/150 mm1/32" (1"), 1 mm (10 mm)1/2"1/64"Round00000000000
    6"/150 mm1/16" (1"), 1 mm (10 mm)1/4"1/64"Square00000000000
    6"/150 mm1 mm (10 mm), 1/16" (1")1/2"1/64"Round00000000000
     
    Inch
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    6"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/2"1/64"Round00000000000
    6"1/32" (1"), 1/64" (8/64")1/4"1/64"Square00000000000
     
    Metric
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    150 mm0.5 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)1/2"1/64"Round00000000000
     
    Lightweight Aluminum
    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. Pocket Rulers.
    About as lightweight as plastic rulers, these rulers are convenient to carry from site to site. They keep their bright finish even if frequently rinsed.
    Rulers
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    End
    Shape
    Each
    Inch
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    6"1/16" (1") 1/32" (8/32")3/4"3/64"Square000000000000
     

    Pocket Center-Finding Rulers

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Rulers. Pocket Center-Finding Rulers.
    Find the center of workpieces on the go—these rulers are no bigger than a pen to tuck into your pocket. They come with a clip to keep them from falling out or getting misplaced. To find a center, align them so that the same measurement appears on both sides of the object. Zero marks your center—no math required.
    Lightweight Aluminum
    About as lightweight as plastic rulers, these rulers are convenient to carry from site to site. They keep their bright finish even if frequently rinsed.
    Rulers
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Each
    Inch
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction/Right-to-Left Reading Direction
    6"1/32" (1"), 1/16" (1")3/4"3/64"000000000000
     
    Metric
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction/Right-to-Left Reading Direction
    16 cm1 mm (1 cm), 1 mm (1 cm)3/4"3/64"00000000000
     

    Tape Measures

    The best of the best tape measures for everyday tasks—from Stanley to Lufkin to Milwaukee. Built to last, these tape measures have a coating on the blade that prevents the graduations from wearing or scratching off. Their durable plastic case won't crack when tossed into tool bags or dropped on the ground.
    Lufkin Shockforce Series
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Tape Measures. Lufkin Shockforce Series.
    Drop tested to 120 ft., these tape measures still work even if they fall from a 10-story building. A vinyl-coated case and raised metal edges on the front make them extra durable for tackling the toughest jobs, such as construction. Plus, the blade is extra wide, so you can extend it at least 11 ft. before it collapses. Loop a lanyard into the tether point to secure these tape measures when working from catwalks and other heights.
    Automatic Blade Lock—Extend the blade and it locks in place automatically. These tape measures are especially useful for solo jobs since they free up your hands for other tasks.
    Blade
    Case
    Lg.
    Graduations
    Numeric
    Graduations
    Tip Style
    Wd.
    Material
    Material
    Color
    Each
    Manual Blade Lock
    16 ft.1/16"1", 1 ft.Double Hook
    		1 1/4"Coated SteelVinyl-Coated PlasticBlack0000000000000
    16 ft./5 m1/16", 1 mm1", 1 ft., 1 cmDouble Hook
    		1 1/4"Coated SteelVinyl-Coated PlasticBlack000000000000
    25 ft.1/16"1", 1 ft.Double Hook
    		1 1/4"Coated SteelVinyl-Coated PlasticBlack000000000000
    26 ft./8 m1/16", 1 mm1", 1 ft., 1 cmDouble Hook
    		1 1/4"Coated SteelVinyl-Coated PlasticBlack000000000000
    26 ft./8 m1/16", 1 mm1", 1 ft., 1 cmDouble Hook, Magnetic Hook
    		1 1/4"Coated SteelVinyl-Coated PlasticBlack000000000000
    33 ft./10 m1/16", 1 mm1", 1 ft., 1 cmDouble Hook
    		1 1/4"Coated SteelVinyl-Coated PlasticBlack000000000000
    33 ft./10 m1/16", 1 mm1", 1 ft., 1 cmDouble Hook, Magnetic Hook
    		1 1/4"Coated SteelVinyl-Coated PlasticBlack000000000000
    35 ft.1/16"1", 1 ft.Double Hook
    		1 1/4"Coated SteelVinyl-Coated PlasticBlack000000000000
    35 ft.1/16"1", 1 ft.Double Hook, Magnetic Hook
    		1 1/4"Coated SteelVinyl-Coated PlasticBlack000000000000
     
    Automatic Blade Lock
    25 ft.1/16"1", 1 ft.Double Hook
    		1 1/4"Coated SteelVinyl-Coated PlasticBlack000000000000
    26 ft./8 m1/16", 1 mm1", 1 ft., 1 cmDouble Hook
    		1 1/4"Coated SteelVinyl-Coated PlasticBlack000000000000
     
    back to top