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

    Performance

    Performance

    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
    6"/150 mm1/32" (1"), 1/16" (1")1 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)1"1/32"2120A230000020265A41000000
    6"/150 mm1/32" (1"), 1 mm (10 mm)—1"1/32"———020265A600000
    6"/150 mm1/16" (1"), 1/32" (1"), 1/64" (1")0.5 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)3/4"1/32"2388A620000———0
    6"/150 mm1 mm (10 mm), 1/16" (1")—15/32"1/32"2388A630000———0
    6"/150 mm1 mm (10 mm), 1/16" (1"), 1/32" (4/32")—3/4"1/32"2388A550000———0
     
    Metric
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    150 mm1 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)—1"1/32"2120A16000020265A3100000
     
    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
    6"/150 mm1/16" (1"), 1 mm (10 mm)1 1/8"1/16"1943A31000000
     

    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
    6"/150 mm1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")0.5 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)-0.0035" to 0.004"/-0.09 mm to 0.1 mm1/2"1/64"—6823A7000000———0
    6"/150 mm1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")0.5 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)-0.0035" to 0.004"/-0.09 mm to 0.1 mm3/4"3/64"—6823A5000002056A22000000
     
    Starrett Rulers
    5 3/4"/150 mm1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")0.5 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)-0.0035" to 0.004"/-0.09 mm to 0.1 mm1/2"1/64"C331-1502285A5500000———0
    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
    5 3/4"/150 mm0.5 mm (10 mm), 1/32" (4/32")1 mm (10 mm), 1/64" (8/64")-0.0035" to 0.004"/-0.09 mm to 0.1 mm3/4"3/64"C636ME-1502117A51000002117A7300000
     
    Metric
     
    Rulers
    150 mm1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)-0.09 mm to 0.1 mm1/2"1/64"—6823A300000———0
    150 mm1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)-0.09 mm to 0.1 mm3/4"3/64"—6823A100000———0
     
    Starrett Rulers
    150 mm0.5 mm (10 mm)0.5 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)-0.09 mm to 0.1 mm1/2"1/64"C330-1502285A6500000———0
    150 mm1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm), 1 mm, 1 mm1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)-0.09 mm to 0.1 mm3/4"3/64"C635E-1502117A5600000———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
    6"/150 mm1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)-0.0035" to 0.004"/-0.09 mm to 0.1 mm1/2"1/64"19845A19000000
    6"/150 mm1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")1 mm (10 mm), 0.5 mm (10 mm)-0.0035" to 0.004"/-0.09 mm to 0.1 mm3/4"3/64"19845A2100000
     

    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"Round2388A5700000
    6"/150 mm1/32" (1"), 1 mm (10 mm)1/2"1/64"Round6813A710000
    6"/150 mm1/16" (1"), 1 mm (10 mm)1/4"1/64"Square6813A640000
    6"/150 mm1 mm (10 mm), 1/16" (1")1/2"1/64"Round2388A510000
     
    Metric
     
    Left-to-Right Reading Direction
    150 mm0.5 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)1/2"1/64"Round6813A620000
     

    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
     

    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
    6"/150 mm1/32" (4/32"), 1/64" (8/64")0.5 mm (10 mm), 1 mm (10 mm)-0.0035" to 0.004"/-0.09 mm to 0.1 mm3/4"3/64"2077A32000000
     
    back to top