McMaster-Carr logo
    Filter by
    System of Measurement
    Segment Length
    Numeric Graduations
    Mount Type
    Graduation Type
    Graduation Color
    Number of Segments
    Export Control Classification Number (ECCN)
    Industrial Info Snippet
    DFARS Specialty Metals
    Hole Diameter
    Application
    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)
    12 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.

    Ruler Type

    Performance

    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
     

    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.
    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
     

    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
     
    back to top