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)
    65 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.

    Performance

    Performance

    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
     
    Rulers
    6"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.004"1/2"1/64"—2042A610000002056A32000000
    6"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.004"3/4"3/64"—2042A76000002056A1600000
    6"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/50" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.004"1/2"1/64"—2042A6800000———0
    6"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/50" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.004"3/4"3/64"—2042A8500000———0
    12"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.005"1/2"1/64"—2042A62000002056A3300000
    12"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.005"1"3/64"—2042A77000002056A1700000
    12"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/50" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.005"1/2"1/64"—2042A6900000———0
    12"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/50" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.005"1"3/64"—2042A8600000———0
    18"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.006"3/4"1/64"—2042A6300000———0
    18"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.006"1 1/8"3/64"—2042A7800000———0
    18"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/50" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.006"3/4"1/64"—2042A7100000———0
    18"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/50" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.006"1 1/8"3/64"—2042A8700000———0
    24"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.007"3/4"1/64"—2042A64000002056A34000000
    24"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.007"1 1/8"3/64"—2042A79000002056A18000000
    36"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.007"3/4"1/64"—2042A950000002056A35000000
    36"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.007"1 1/4"3/64"—2042A930000002056A19000000
    48"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.008"3/4"1/64"—2042A96000000———0
    48"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.008"1 1/4"3/64"—2042A940000002056A21000000
     
    Starrett Rulers
    6"1/50" (1/10"), 1/50" (1/10")1/10" (1/10"), 1/10" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.004"3/4"3/64"C606R-62117A31000002117A7200000
    6"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/50" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.004"1/2"1/64"C316R-62285A3500000———0
    6"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/50" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.004"3/4"3/64"C616R-62117A2100000———0
    6"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.004"1/2"1/64"C305R-62285A5000002117A7500000
    6"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/50" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.004"1/2"1/64"C303R-62285A2500000———0
    12"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/50" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.005"1/2"1/64"C316R-122285A3600000———0
    12"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/50" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.005"1"3/64"C616R-122117A2200000———0
    12"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.005"1/2"1/64"C305R-122285A6000002117A76000000
    18"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.006"3/4"1/64"C305R-182285A7000000———0
    24"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.007"3/4"1/64"C305R-242285A8000000———0
    72"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/50" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.007" to 0.012"1 1/2"3/32"C416R-722117A1900000000———0
     
    Inch/Metric
     
    Starrett Rulers
    5 3/4"/150 mm1/10" (1/10"), 1/50" (1/10")1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)-0.0035" to 0.004"/-0.09 mm to 0.1 mm1/2"1/64"C334-1502285A45000002117A7700000
     
    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
    6"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.004"1/2"1/64"19845A13000000
    6"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")-0.0035" to 0.004"3/4"3/64"19845A1700000
     

    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
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    6"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")15/32"1/64"2388A710000020265A4580000000
    12"1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1/10" (1/10"), 1/100" (1/10")15/32"1/64"2388A730000020265A459000000
     
    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
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    12"1/10" (1"), 1/10" (1/10")1"3/64"1933A5100000
    24"1/10" (1"), 1/10" (1/10")1"3/64"1933A5200000
    36"1/10" (1"), 1/10" (1/10")1"3/64"1933A5300000
    48"1/10" (1"), 1/10" (1/10")1"1/16"1933A5400000
    60"1/10" (1"), 1/10" (1/10")1"1/16"1933A5500000
    72"1/10" (1"), 1/10" (1/10")1"1/16"1933A5600000
    96"1/10" (1"), 1/10" (1/10")1"1/16"1933A5700000
    120"1/10" (1"), 1/10" (1/10")1"1/16"1933A5800000
     

    See-Through Rulers

    Image of Product. Front orientation. ZoomedIn view. Rulers. See-Through Rulers, Style D.

    Style D

    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.
    Style
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Graduation
    Color
    Material
    Each
    Inch/Metric
    D6"/150 mm1/32" (4/32"), 1/100" (1/10"), 0.5 mm (10 mm)1 1/2"0.007"BlackPlastic89715A6500000
     

    Rulers for Cutting

    Don't nick your fingers while measuring and cutting straight lines. These rulers have either a safety guard or groove to keep your fingers out of the way. A rubber backing grips the surface beneath them, so they won't slide around.
    With Finger Groove
    Image of ProductInUse. Front orientation. Rulers. Rulers for Cutting, With Finger Groove.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Rulers. Rulers for Cutting, With Finger Groove.
    Place your fingers in the groove to prevent them from slipping over the edge as you cut. These rulers are typically used with precision knives.
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Front First Inch Graduations
    (Numeric Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Material
    Color
    Each
    Inch
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    12"1/16" (1")1/32" (1")1 17/32"7/32"AluminumSilver6236N11000000
    24"1/16" (1")1/32" (1")1 17/32"7/32"AluminumSilver6236N1200000
    36"1/16" (1")1/32" (1")1 17/32"7/32"AluminumSilver6236N1300000
     
    With Safety Guard
    Image of ProductInUse. Front orientation. Rulers. Rulers for Cutting, With Safety Guard.
    Image of Product. Front orientation. Rulers. Rulers for Cutting, With Safety Guard.
    These rulers have a barrier that blocks your fingers from the knife as you cut. They're safer to use with box cutters than rulers with a finger groove.
    Lg.
    Front Graduations (Numeric
    Graduations)
    Wd.
    Thk.
    Material
    Color
    Each
    Inch
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    24"1/8" (1"), 1/16" (1")2"3/16"AluminumOrange6236N14000000
    36"1/8" (1"), 1/16" (1")2"3/16"AluminumOrange6236N1500000
    48"1/8" (1"), 1/16" (1")2"3/16"AluminumOrange6236N1600000
    72"1/8" (1"), 1/16" (1")2"3/16"AluminumOrange6236N1700000
     
    back to top