McMaster-Carr logo
    Filter by
    System of Measurement
    Measurement System
    End Shape
    Numeric Graduations
    Graduation Type
    Thickness
    Graduation Color
    Tip Style
    Industrial Info Compare
    Graduation Location
    Distance Measured
    Overall Length
    DFARS Specialty Metals
    Export Control Classification Number (ECCN)
    Industrial Info Snippet
    Blade Width
    Measuring Increments
    Enter e-mail addresses in the fields below
    Message
    Cancel
    Comments
    E-mail address (if you would like a response)
    28 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.

    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

    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
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Rulers. Pocket Center-Finding 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.
    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
     

    Pocket Drafting Rulers

    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. Pocket Drafting Rulers, Triangle.

    Triangle

    For scaled-down drawings on the go, these rulers are no bigger than a pen to slip into your pocket. Sketch everything from roads to buildings to floor plans—they include the standard scales for architects or engineers. All have beveled edges, so you can be confident your lines will be accurate and consistent no matter what angle you view the ruler from.
    Triangle—To quickly identify the scale you need, these rulers have a different-colored groove on each of their three sides.
    Measurement Scale Type
    Scale
    Material
    Blade
    Lg.
    Each
    Inch
     
    Triangle
    Architects'3/32, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1 1/2, 3, 16Aluminum
    6"0000000000000
    Engineers'10ths, 20ths, 30ths, 40ths, 50ths, 60thsAluminum
    6"000000000000
     
    Inch/Metric
     
    Triangle
    Architects', Engineers'1/8, 1/4, 16, 1:500, 1:100, 10ths, 50thsAluminum
    6"000000000000
     

    Pocket Tape Measures

    Image of ProductInUse. Front orientation. Contains SizingReference. Tape Measures. Pocket Tape Measures.
    No bigger than a pack of gum, these tape measures slip into your pocket or hook to your key chain for go-anywhere convenience.
    Lufkin
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Tape Measures. Pocket Tape Measures, Lufkin.
    Nonlocking Blade Lock—Pull the blade out and hold it in place between your fingers. These free-moving tape measures are best for taking frequent, small measurements.
    Coated Steel Blade—A coating on the blade prevents the graduations from wearing or scratching off.
    Chrome-Plated Steel Blade—Our most durable blades. The hard chrome plating guards them from scratches, wear, and rust.
    Blade
    Case
    Lg.
    Graduations
    First Foot
    Graduations
    Numeric
    Graduations
    Tip
    Style
    Wd.
    Material
    Material
    Color
    Each
    Nonlocking Blade Lock
    6 ft./2 m1/16", 1 mm1", 1 cmHook
    1/4"Coated SteelChrome-Plated PlasticSilver000000000000000
    6 ft.1/16"1/32"1"Hook
    1/4"Coated SteelPlasticBlack0000000000000
    6 ft.1/16"1/32"1"Hook
    1/4"Coated SteelPlasticOrange000000000000
    8 ft.1/32"1/32"1", 1 ft.Hook
    1/2"Coated SteelChrome-Plated PlasticSilver00000000000000
    10 ft./3 m1/16", 1 mm1", 1 cmHook
    1/4"Coated SteelPlasticBlack0000000000000
    10 ft.1/16"1/32"1"Hook
    1/4"Coated SteelPlasticBlack0000000000000
    12 ft.1/16"1"Hook
    1/2"Chrome-Plated SteelChrome-Plated PlasticSilver000000000000
    12 ft.1/10"1"Hook
    1/2"Chrome-Plated SteelChrome-Plated PlasticSilver000000000000
     

    Multifunction Tape Measures

    Image of Product. Front orientation. Tape Measures. Multifunction Tape Measures.
    Measure distance, level objects, and draft circles with one tool. A jack of all trades, these tape measures include a vial level and a compass for drawing circles up to 20 ft. in diameter. You don’t have to crimp the blade to measure inside drawers and other objects—a top window shows the length from the tip of the blade to the back of the case.
    Blade
    Case
    Lg.
    Graduations
    First Foot
    Graduations
    Numeric
    Graduations
    Tip
    Style
    Wd.
    Material
    Material
    Color
    Each
    Manual Blade Lock
    10 ft./3 m1/16", 1 mm1/32"1", 1 ft., 1 cmHook
    1/2"Coated SteelPlasticBlack0000000000000
     

    Pocket Diameter-Measuring Tape Measures

    Image of ProductInUse. Front orientation. Tape Measures. Pocket Diameter-Measuring Tape Measures.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Tape Measures. Pocket Diameter-Measuring Tape Measures.
    For quick diameter measurements on the go, these tape measures are as small as a pack of gum to tuck into your pocket. There's no math involved—just wrap the blade around your cable, pipe, or other cylindrical object. The number that overlaps with zero is your diameter. These tape measures are ideal for already mounted objects since you don't need to take your system apart. Also known as tree tapes.
    Automatic Blade Return Type—The blade zips back into the case when you let go.
    Nonlocking Blade Lock—Pull the blade out and hold it in place between your fingers. These free-moving tape measures are best for taking frequent, small measurements.
    Chrome-Plated Metal Case—Choose metal cases for your toughest industrial jobs, from construction to machining. These cases resist breaking due to hard hits and drops. However, they're heavier to carry around than plastic cases.
    Dia.
    Blade
    Case
    Measured
    Graduations
    Lg.
    Graduations
    First Foot
    Graduations
    Numeric
    Graduations
    Tip
    Style
    Wd.
    Material
    Lock Type
    Material
    Color
    Each
    Automatic Blade Return Type
    0" to 24"1/100", 1 mm6 ft./2 m1/16", 1 mm1/32"1", 1 cmHook
    1/4"Coated SteelNonlockingPlasticBlack00000000000000
    1/4" to 23"1/100"6 ft.1/16"1/32"1"Loop
    1/4"Coated SteelNonlockingChrome-Plated MetalSilver000000000000
    1/4" to 23"1/64"6 ft.1/16"1/32"1"Loop
    1/4"Coated SteelNonlockingChrome-Plated MetalSilver000000000000
    5 mm to 635 mm1 mm2 m1 mm1 cmLoop
    1/4"Coated SteelNonlockingChrome-Plated MetalSilver000000000000
     

    Compact Dial Lever Variance Indicators

    A slim design lets you measure in tight spots. Also known as test indicators, these variance indicators have a lever-style contact point that pivots as it touches a surface. They also have a balanced dial with positive values on one side and negative values on the other. This makes them great for measuring if a part is above or below a certain tolerance. All have jeweled bearings for high sensitivity, wear resistance, and a long service life.
    Horizontal Orientation
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Variance Indicators. Compact Dial Lever Variance Indicators.
    Image of Product. Side View. Side2 orientation. Variance Indicators. Compact Dial Lever Variance Indicators.

    Side

    View

    Dial
    Contact
    Point
    Overall
    Distance
    Measured
    Measuring
    Increments
    Accuracy
    Mounting
    Stem Dia.
    Dia.
    Reading
    Inch
    Dia.
    Lg.
    Swivel
    Angle
    Lg.
    Dp.
    Each
    Stem Mount
     
    Jeweled Bearing
    0" to 0.01"0.0001"±0.0002"3/8"1 5/32"0-5-0
    0.078"0.6"220°4 3/32"1"00000000000000
    0" to 0.02"0.0005"±0.0005"3/8"1 5/32"0-10-0
    0.078"1.34"220°4 13/16"1"0000000000000
     
    back to top