McMaster-Carr logo
    Filter by
    System of Measurement
    Numeric Graduations
    Graduation Type
    Segment Length
    Graduation Color
    Hole Diameter
    DFARS Specialty Metals
    Export Control Classification Number (ECCN)
    Industrial Info Snippet
    Backing Material
    Manufacturer
    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)
    33 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.

    Rulers

    Your go-to rulers for everyday measuring. Whether metal for durability or wood for a classic feel, our rulers measure up to most tasks, from woodwork to textiles to rough machining.
    Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Rulers. Rulers, Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel.
    Our most corrosion-resistant 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.
    Calibration Certificate—When precision measurements are required for quality control or by regulation, use a ruler that includes a calibration certificate traceable to NIST. The certificate states that the ruler has passed a test for accuracy, so you can be confident your measurements are correct and consistent.
    Length—For easy handling and storage, rulers that are 96" or longer come in multiple pieces that line up to create a complete ruler.
    Rulers
    Rulers with
    Calibration Certificate
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Back Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Each
    Each
    Inch/Metric
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    12"/300 mm1/32" (1"), 1/16" (1")1 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)1"1/32"000000000000000000000000000
    12"/300 mm1/32" (1"), 1 mm (10 mm)—1"1/32"———00000000000000
    12"/300 mm1/8" (1"), 1/16" (1")0.5 mm (10 mm), 1/32" (1")7/8"1/32"00000000000———0
     
    Right-to-Left Reading Direction
    12"/300 mm1/32" (1"), 1/16" (1")1 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)1"1/32"———00000000000000
     
    Metric
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    300 mm1 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)—1"1/32"0000000000000000000000000
     
    Stainless Steel with Antislip Backing
    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. Rulers, Stainless Steel with Antislip Backing.
    Image of Product. Antislip Backing. Back orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. Rulers, Stainless Steel with Antislip Backing.

    Antislip Backing

    A cork backing grips the surface beneath these rulers, preventing them from sliding around and scratching delicate material. Made of stainless steel, these rulers won't rust when splashed with water 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.
    Each
    Inch/Metric
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    12"/300 mm1/16" (1"), 1 mm (10 mm)1 1/8"1/16"0000000000000
     
    Lightweight Aluminum
    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. Rulers, Lightweight Aluminum.
    Our economical option. These rulers are about as lightweight as plastic rulers, so they're convenient to carry from site to site. Although light, they're not flimsy—they resist snapping if knocked around in your toolbox. Plus, they'll keep their bright finish if frequently rinsed.
    Length—For easy handling and storage, 4 meter rulers come in two pieces that line up to create a complete ruler.
    Rulers
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Each
    Inch/Metric
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    12"/30 cm1 mm (1 cm), 1/16" (1")1"3/64"000000000000
     
    Metric
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    30 cm1 mm (1 cm), 1 cm (1 cm)1 3/8"3/64"00000000000
     

    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
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Rulers. High-Accuracy Rulers, Chrome-Plated Steel.
    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.
    Calibration Certificate—When precision measurements are required for quality control or by regulation, use a ruler that includes a calibration certificate traceable to NIST. The certificate states that the ruler has passed a test for accuracy, so you can be confident your measurements are correct and consistent.
    Rulers
    Rulers with
    Calibration Certificate
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Back Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Accuracy
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Mfr. Model
    No.
    Each
    Each
    Inch/Metric
     
    Rulers
    12"/300 mm1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")0.5 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)-0.0035" to 0.005"/-0.09 mm to 0.13 mm1/2"1/64"—000000000000———0
    12"/300 mm1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")0.5 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)-0.0035" to 0.005"/-0.09 mm to 0.13 mm1"3/64"—000000000000000000000000
     
    Starrett Rulers
    11 3/4"/300 mm1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")0.5 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)-0.0035" to 0.005"/-0.09 mm to 0.15 mm1/2"1/64"C331-300000000000000———0
    11 3/4"/300 mm0.5 mm (10 mm), 1/32" (4/32")1 mm (10 mm), 1/64" (8/64")-0.0035" to 0.005"/-0.09 mm to 0.15 mm1"3/64"C636-3000000000000000000000000000
     
    Metric
     
    Rulers
    300 mm1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)-0.09 mm to 0.13 mm1/2"1/64"—00000000000———0
    300 mm1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)-0.09 mm to 0.13 mm1"3/64"—00000000000———0
     
    Starrett Rulers
    300 mm1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)-0.09 mm to 0.15 mm1"3/64"C635-300000000000000———0
     
    Wear-Resistant Titanium Nitride (TiN)-Coated Steel
    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Contains Annotated, MultipleImages. Rulers. High-Accuracy Rulers, Wear-Resistant Titanium Nitride (TiN)-Coated Steel.
    Our most scratch- and wear-resistant rulers withstand the busiest machine shops. These rulers are about 30% harder than chrome-plated steel rulers, so they'll keep looking like new even if they constantly slide and scrape against your workbench.
    Rulers
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Back Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Accuracy
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Each
    Inch/Metric
    12"/300 mm1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)-0.0035" to 0.005"/-0.09 mm to 0.13 mm1/2"1/64"0000000000000
    12"/300 mm1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)-0.0035" to 0.005"/-0.09 mm to 0.13 mm1"3/64"0000000000000
     

    Adhesive-Back Rulers

    Free up your hands when measuring length over and over—no more lining up rulers or tape measures. These rulers stick to everything from toolboxes to lathe beds for a permanent measuring guide.
    Extra-Flexible Plastic
    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. Adhesive-Back Rulers.
    These rulers are flexible enough to conform to curved surfaces without snapping.
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Color
    No. of
    Segments
    Each
    Inch/Metric
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    12"/0.3 m1/16" (1"), 1 mm (1 cm)1/2"0.004"Silver10000000000000
    12"/0.3 m1/16" (1"), 1 mm (1 cm)3/4"0.004"Silver1000000000000
    12"/0.3 m1/10" (1"), 1 mm (1 cm)1/2"0.004"White1000000000000
     
    Extra-Flexible Steel
    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. Adhesive-Back Rulers.
    Combine the flexibility of plastic with the strength of metal. These rulers are bendy enough to conform to curved surfaces and durable enough to resist scrapes and scratches.
    Lg.,
    m
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Color
    No. of
    Segments
    Each
    Metric
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    0.31 mm (1 cm), 1 mm (1 cm)1/2"1/64"White10000000000000
     
    Rigid Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel
    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. Adhesive-Back Rulers.
    Our most durable adhesive-back rulers. These rulers keep their shape and resist scrapes and scratches even if bumped with tools and machinery. Stick them to flat surfaces, such as bench tops.
    Made of stainless steel, these rulers won't rust when splashed with water or wiped down with degreasers or cleaning solutions. Their graduations are etched and blackened with ink, so they won't rub off like printed graduations can.
    Lg.,
    m
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Color
    No. of
    Segments
    Each
    Metric
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    0.31 mm (1 cm), 1 mm (1 cm)19/32"3/64"Silver10000000000000
     
    Right-to-Left Reading Direction
    0.31 mm (1 cm), 1 mm (1 cm)19/32"3/64"Silver1000000000000
     

    Adhesive-Back Vertical Rulers

    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. Adhesive-Back Vertical Rulers.
    For repeated height and depth measurements, stick these rulers to walls, tanks, and other vertical surfaces. Their numbers are printed from bottom to top or top to bottom, so you don't have to tilt your head to read them. Since these rulers permanently adhere to surfaces, they free up your hands as you work—no more lining up rulers or tape measures.
    Rigid Corrosion-Resistant Stainless Steel
    Our most durable adhesive-back rulers. These rulers keep their shape and resist scrapes and scratches even if bumped with tools and machinery. Stick them to flat surfaces, such as bench tops.
    Made of stainless steel, these rulers won't rust when splashed with water or wiped down with degreasers or cleaning solutions. Their graduations are etched and blackened with ink, so they won't rub off like printed graduations can.
    Lg.,
    m
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Color
    No. of
    Segments
    Each
    Metric
     
    Bottom-to-Top Reading Direction
    0.31 mm (1 cm), 1 mm (1 cm)19/32"3/64"Silver10000000000000
     
    Top-to-Bottom Reading Direction
    0.31 mm (1 cm), 1 mm (1 cm)19/32"3/64"Silver1000000000000
     

    See-Through Rulers

    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. See-Through Rulers, Center Finding, Style C.

    Center Finding

    Style C

    Line up these rulers exactly where you need them—they're clear plastic, so you'll never lose sight of what you're measuring. A staple of most sewers' kits, they're especially useful when working with intricate designs, lines, and patterns. All are laminated to protect their graduations from scratching and fading.
    Center Finding—These rulers come with a center-finding scale, so you can quickly locate the center of workpieces without any math. Just align the scale so that the same measurement appears on both sides of the object—zero marks your center.
    Red Graduation Marks—Easier to read than black graduation marks when measuring over black lines and text.
    Style
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Graduation
    Color
    Material
    Each
    Inch/Metric with Center-Finding Scale
    C12"/30 cm1/16" (1"), 1 mm (1 cm), 1/8" (1")1"1/32"RedPlastic0000000000000
     

    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
     

    Starrett High-Accuracy Combination Square Blades

    Image of Product. Inch/Metric. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Contains Annotated, MultipleImages. Combination Square Blades. Starrett High-Accuracy Combination Square Blades, 10 mm Numeric Graduations.

    Inch/Metric

    Use these blades with Starrett High-Accuracy Combination Square Heads. They meet Fed. Spec. GGG-R-791, which establishes uniform standards for accuracy, graduations, and size. Blades are labeled with numeric increments that are less than 1" for quick reading. All have a corrosion-resistant satin chrome-plated finish that reduces glare and wear-resistant etched markings.
    Graduation
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Back Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Lg. Accuracy
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Color
    Color
    Type
    Each
    Inch/Metric
     
    Satin Chrome-Plated Steel
    11 3/4"/300 mm0.5 mm (10 mm), 1/32" (4/32")1 mm (10 mm), 1/64" (8/64")-0.0035" to 0.005"/-0.09 mm to 0.15 mm1"3/32"SilverBlackEtched00000000000000
     

    Magnetic High-Accuracy Rulers

    Take machine-shop-accurate measurements while keeping your hands free. These rulers have magnets on both ends to cling to most metallic surfaces. Also known as machinists’ rules, they have the tightest tolerances we offer. They’re also our most precise, with graduations as small as 1/64", so you can trust them for even the tiniest dimensions.
    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
    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Contains Annotated, MultipleImages. Rulers. Magnetic High-Accuracy Rulers.
    Tough enough to handle most tasks, these rulers are chrome plated to resist rust. Their satin finish reduces glare for easy reading.
    Rulers
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Back Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Accuracy
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Each
    Inch/Metric
    12"/300 mm1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")0.5 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)-0.0035" to 0.005"/-0.09 mm to 0.13 mm1"3/64"0000000000000
     
    back to top