Rulers

FAQs

What is the difference between plastic, metal and geometry rulers for office, school or drafting use?

The differences between plastic and metal rulers are very basic. Plastic rulers tend to be more lightweight, cheaper, and are a good option for younger school students who may be more likely to lose or break their rulers. Their affordability makes them a low-cost investment to replace when needed. They’re a consistently reliable option for most basic measurement needs.

Metal rulers are more durable than plastic rulers and may cost a little more. They tend to stand up to bumps and scrapes better, meaning you shouldn’t have issues with dents appearing when you want to draw a straight line. Much like standard plastic rulers, they’re a good choice for basic measuring - well-suited to schools (especially for older students), basic office use, and drafting use (however, for drafting, you may want to purchase a metal ruler that measures longer than the standard 30cm).

Geometry rulers are ideal for a range of uses. They’re used for maths in school, for studies and jobs such as architecture, engineering, and design work; and they’re also used in workshops for carpentry, metal work, construction, design (e.g. textile crafts, tailoring, etc.), and artwork. Geometry rulers usually involve a set of different rulers, including triangles, semi-circles, angled rulers, and accommodate the use of measuring compasses as well.

When is a measuring tape more useful than a standard ruler — and what tasks is it best suited for?

Most standard-use rulers tend to have a maximum length of 30cm and are best suited to making measurements or drawing straight lines on paper or other materials that can be situated on a flat surface. They’re a good option for basic measurement needs, such as in an office or school setting.

Measuring tape, on the other hand, isn’t as well-suited for basic straight measurements or drawing straight lines on paper, but it does offer a greater versatility of use for measuring an array of different things. Thanks to the ability to bend measuring tape and wrap it around objects or persons, it’s particularly useful for things such as:

Measuring packaging and item bulk in warehouses

Construction and building work where physical spaces need to be accurately measured while accounting for variations in surface height, cornering, etc.

Measuring furniture

Craft work

Making accurate measurements for tailored clothing by being able to accurately measure a person’s height, bust/chest, hip and waist and hip circumference, shoulder width, etc.

As a general rule of thumb, a standard ruler is a good option for basic measurement needs (especially for straight, flat surfaces) and creating straight lines, whereas measuring tapes are better-suited to measuring variable surfaces, figuring out furniture sizing, measuring corners and curved surfaces, as well as for measuring people for accurate tailoring work.

Which ruler length is most suitable for everyday tasks like note-taking, drawing or measuring documents?

When it comes to general, everyday tasks, the standard ruler length of 30cm is typically going to be more than enough for your needs, whether that’s creating straight lines on unmarked paper for note-taking, drawing, or measuring more commonplace document sizes such as A4.

That said, if your day-to-day work involves larger measurements, operating in workshops, warehouses, construction or other similar fields, a standard 30cm ruler likely won’t be your best choice. Instead, you should look for larger rulers such as 40cm or longer, or purchasing measuring tape which can make it far easier to measure lengths of up to 10 metres.

What are the advantages of clear or transparent rulers?

The main advantage of clear rulers is the additional visibility they offer for certain tasks. This can make a range of tasks simpler to complete, especially those tied to mapping out graphs, drawing up blueprints or architectural sketches, refining design work, and more. By limiting any visual obscurity, you can put together these types of works with greater ease.

Clear rulers are also helpful when it comes to reading through documents or text that is unlined, providing a clear visual guide so you can easily keep track of where you are.

Are metal rulers, geometry rulers or measuring tapes more durable and reliable for long-term office, classroom or workshop use?

When it comes to the durability of different rulers and measuring tapes, this really does come down to the material itself. Naturally, metal rulers tend to be very durable and are certainly a good option for workplaces where the ruler could take on bumps or friction - think construction sites, warehouses, and workshops (including wood work and metal work). 

Geometry rulers are naturally a good fit for construction-related work, mathematics, or any tasks that will require angled measurements or the use of a measuring compass. Often, geometry rulers will be made from a clear plastic to avoid obscuring important information as you’re measuring or mapping out work. The plastic, see-through geometry rulers are usually a better fit for classrooms or indoor settings, such as for drafting architectural plans.

If you need geometry rulers for a workshop or construction site, it’s a good idea to look out for ones that are made with stainless steel that include windowed cut-outs so you can still easily map out your work without losing clarity. 

Measuring tapes can be made with flexible, high-strength steel alloy; soft fabric; or soft flexible plastic. They’re a good choice for most settings, whether that’s in an office, classroom, workshop, or for measurements related to tailor work. 

The main part of a measuring tape that may be more susceptible to damage is the housing that holds the tape. While basic plastic housing is fine for general, low-intensity use, if you work in a workshop, construction, carpentry or a similar field, consider purchasing a measuring tape with more durable housing, such as durable rubber, steel, or impact-resistant ABS.