Tape measures are a staple in everyone's toolbox from the most seasoned Pro to the greenest DIYer. Ranging in length and price, most cost less than $30, and there are options under the $10 mark. But are all tape measures created equally? Of course not. We're breaking things down into the categories our Pro team says are most important when looking for the best tape measure.
Want more information on tape measure manufacture? Feel free to contact us.
Think you know everything about tapes? Check out our article on how to read a tape measure and you may just learn something new!
When we went looking for the best tape measure, we wanted it all: durability, standout, accuracy, visibility, hook grip, ergonomics, and features. While there are several great options, the Crescent Lufkin Shockforce G2 Nite Eye stands out above the rest for us. It's not the best in every category, but it does everything well, and it has a fantastic blade color for those of us with less-than-ideal vision.
Our favorite version is the magnetic. However, there are also standard and Auto Lock versions if you prefer those styles. If the Nite Eye color scheme isn't your cup of tea, you can get the same tape with a standard yellow/black blade.
Price: $35.99 (25-foot magnetic with Nite Eye blade LMB-02)
Some outstanding heavy-duty tape measures have hit the market over the last several years. Milwaukee's Stud, DeWalt's XP followed by its Tough Series, Crescent Lufkin's Shockforce, and others have been pushing the durability expectations to new levels. So which one is the best?
In our opinion, it's the DeWalt Tough Series tape measures. Solid housing construction combined with a generous layer of overmold to protect it stands up to just about anything we've been able to throw at it, including chucking as high as we could and letting it fall to the asphalt. With nothing more than a scratch for our efforts, it's one tough measure.
More recently, DeWalt released a new version of this tape that includes a built-in rechargeable LED light. It's a bit more expensive at $34.99, but that light is a unique feature we haven't seen on other models.
25-Foot Price: $24.99 (25-foot DWHTS)
Crescent's Shockforce and DeWalt Tough Series both have magnetic options we heartily recommend. However, the one we pick up most often in our shop is Milwaukee's second-generation Stud. It starts with a durable Exo360 nylon blade coating that resists cracking and houses it in a durable frame. The magnetic hook grips steel surfaces solidly, and our team loves the finger-stop brake feature for extending and controlling the recoil on the way back in.
Price: $32.97 (25-foot magnetic 48-22-M)
There are plenty of great laser distance measures, but not all have a tape measure function. If you want to measure traditionally without having an object to bounce the laser off, you need a wheel to roll across the surface instead. For that feature, look to Skil's laser distance measure.
When you need more than just the tape measure function, you can measure in real-time out to 65 feet or calculate area for quick estimates. You get it all with an accuracy of ±1/8-inch.
For a deeper dive into these measuring devices, check out our best laser distance measure recommendations.
Price: $49.99 (ME-00)
Value is more than just price. It's what you get for your money, and that accounts for the whole package: function, durability, readability, standout, and more. Over and over again, we hear from Pros in the field and from our readers that Stanley FatMax is the only model they'll use. Why? Because it's accurate, reliable, and affordable.
You can still find the classic 25-foot tape measure for just under $20, it's Made in the USA using global materials, and we believe it's the best bang for your buck.
Price: $17.99 (25-foot 33-725)
If you just need a tape measure to use around your home, it's hard to bet Stanley's basic 25-foot tape measure. There are trade-offs, of course. You only get a 7-fot standout and it doesn't have the durability that premium tapes do.
On the other hand, it's accurate. Perhaps more importanntly, it's inexpensive'less than $10 (and we've even seen it as low as $5). For a tape measure to keep in your garage or kitchen drawer, it'll do just fine.
Price: $4.97 (30-455S)
Ask Pros what the best tape measure brand is and several names pop up regularly. Milwaukee is massively popular owing to its brand reputation, quality, and wide range of models to choose from. Stanley is another one Pros rely on, especially the FatMax line. It too has a wide range of options and enjoys a reputation for excellent quality.
While it doesn't get as much hype as the bigger brands, Pros in the know love their Tajima tape measures. Thanks to their high quality, they have a loyal following who refuse to use any other brand.
HART has an impressive depth to its line of tape measures that includes keychain, standard, and chrome models. Our top choice is the Pro Grade model and it's available in 16 to 30-foot lengths, though only the 25-foot is available in both magnetic and non-magnetic.
Sporting 11 feet of standout, easy-to-read fraction markings (single-side printing), and greater overmold protection than many tapes we've used, it's also easy on your wallet with a price tag of just over $15.
Price: $14.97 (25-foot magnetic HHTMPN25)
Whether you're an electrician or not, Klein makes some durable tape measures and its magnetic models hold stronger than most. Seriously, we've used a Klein as a magnetic grabber for dropped fasteners and small hand tools in the past. They have just one non-magnetic model (25-foot) covering 16, 25, and 30-foot lengths and a 7.5-meter model on the metric side for magnetic options.
Standout is excellent at 13 feet, the magnetic models feature a double hook that offers better top grabbing, and the nylon-coated blade has printing on both sides. Thanks to Klein's focus on electricians, they also have a conduit bending table and a 3-phase layout guide on the backside of the blade.
Price: $29.97 (25-foot magnetic R)
Komelon tape measures are popular thanks to a price that's very easy on your wallet. They're great for around the house and for people who tend to lose them often. They also have a Contractor series that's more appropriate for typical jobsite use and that's the line we recommend.
It covers 16, 25, and 40-foot lengths, and only the 25-foot is available with a magnetic hook. They have a nylon-coated blade that's 20% thicker and a stainless steel spring to help them last longer than Komelon's less expensive tapes.
Price: $18.98 (25-foot magnetic M25LR)
Ox Tools isn't crazy-deep in the measuring tools category just yet, but we liked what we saw from its Pro Tuff tape measure. Its 13 feet of standout is solid, and it felt better in our hands than the bulkier version from a few years back. What opened our eyes was the improvement in durability for both the housing and the nylon-coated blade.
Price: $19.98 (25-foot magnetic OX-P)
Stabila is known for the quality of its levels and that might make its tape measures fly under the radar a bit. Between the BM 100 and the BM 300 lines, we prefer the more durable 300 series. Its strong housing benefits from plenty of overmold. The blade is nylon-coated with printing on both sides and capable of a 10-foot standout. Stabila also adds a unique hook grip on the lower side to help keep it from slipping. It's available in 16 or 26-foot lengths.
Price: $26.25 (26-foot )
Our favorite Tajima tape measures are in the GS Lock line. They sport a thicker steel in the blade that gives it the Extra Stiff designation. Printing is on both sides of the blade, and it's tether-ready. But it's the size and feel of the tape in your hands along with the ruggedness of the design that sets it apart and has created a loyal following.
Price: $42.08
A tape measure is only as accurate as the printing on the blade and the correct offset movement of the hook. That said, I can only remember one time that we had a legit accuracy issue, and it was on an engineering sample of a tape that was corrected prior to launch.
Most of the time, an inaccurate tape measure is due to a bent hook. Using a tape measure calibrating device (we use Lixer models) can help you bend the hook back in place and make sure you're getting accurate readings.
In my experience, as long as you stick with quality brands and have access to a calibrating device, you can choose the model that best fits your needs and get the accurate results you need.
It depends. First, are we talking about tape measures with a digital readout (such as the Reekon T1 Tomahawk) or are we talking about laser distance measures?
Regardless of which one you're using, there should be an accuracy rating to go with it. Many of the laser distance measures our team relies on are accurate to ±1/16-inch or ±1/8-inch at 33 feet. Since they are primarily estimating tools, that level of accuracy is just fine.
Most models with a digital readout are a bit more novel. Most Pros don't use them and neither do I. Consumer-level electronics aren't as accurate as a quality tape measure. When you're measuring crown molding on a million-dollar build, 1/8 of an inch matters. You can get that and even higher accuracy from a tape measure, but the digital readout on one likely won't be able to guarantee it.
There's a big exception to that rule, though, and it's the aforementioned Reekon T1 Tomahawk. Capable of reliably measuring to 1/32 of an inch and self-calibrating with marking indicators on the reverse of the blade, it's the one digital tape measure I don't have any hesitation using when accuracy is critical.
If I had to pick just one tape measure to carry, it would be a 25-foot magnetic tape measure. It has the best combination of size, weight, length, and measuring versatility (plus, you can use the magnet to pick up small metal objects). It's by far the most common class our crew carries every day.
It might be easier to make a list of what you should do with a tape measure rather than what you shouldn't. The list of things not to do is only limited by your imagination and the depth of depravity you're willing to let your mind dive into. Still, there are some common things you might be wondering about that are worth addressing. There are several things to avoid for standard use as well.
Before you worry about anything else, a tape measure has to be accurate. If it isn't, nothing else matters. Nearly every name-brand model is solid in this department. The ones that aren't accurate usually have a bent hook that you can fix on a Lixer tape measure calibrating tool.
Once you know your tape is accurate, durability is the next major concern. Most tape measures are capable of surviving dozens, if not hundreds, of drops onto concrete from workbench height. Drops from greater heights are where we begin to see the difference.
To get the best durability, look for a tape measure with at least four connection points on the housing and plenty of overmold to protect it. Also keep an eye open for at least three rivets holding the hook on, nylon coating over the entire blade, and additional coating over the first foot or so.
The best tape measure length is completely dependent on your needs, but we find a 25-foot tape is the best all-around. If you're looking for something more compact, go with a 16-foot. Go with a 35-foot if you're consistently measuring more than 25 feet at a time.
For greater distances in estimating applications, consider grabbing a laser distance measure instead of a tape.
Having a good clip can make or break your tape measure experience. When they're not in our toolboxes or on a workbench, we usually clip tape measures to our belts. The strength of the clip is part of the equation, a design that slides on and off your belt without too much difficulty is the other.
You can test the clip strength in the store by simply pulling on it while it's in the package. The ease of sliding on and off is a little trickier, but we find that clips with a flare out at the bottom tend to work the best.
If it's accurate and it's tough, you just need to be able to read the markings. In searching for the best tape measure, there are some interesting ways to improve visibility. You can go with bolder markings, reverse contrast, or even buck the trend of traditional black and yellow colors. Everyone's eyes are different, and fortunately, you can easily see the difference for yourself in the store.
Manufacturers love to tout the standout of their tape measures and there are plenty of jobsite jokes that go along with it. For our team, standout is important ' up until 9' or so. As long as the standout gets you beyond the length of sheet material, we're pretty happy. You can make the argument for 10' ' 16' lumber that you might work with, but you're sliding the hook over those longer pieces most of the time.
Closely related, but rarely discussed is tape measure throw. Since the goal is to not have to walk from one end of the material to the other, the farther you can throw the tape's blade, the better. Many Pros throw it out there, then continue extending the blade across the top of the material until it reaches the end. The downside of throwing the blade is that you often give up standout length because of the action.
Ease it out for a better standout or throw it out for quicker work? It's your call. The best tape measure will have a balance of the standout and throw and our Pros like 8 feet as a minimum standard for both. The more the better, though.
A tape measure absolutely has to hook easily on the top and bottom. The best tape measure will give you solid hooking on the sides and even naturally turn so the edge of the blade is flush on your material. For the most part, the larger the hook the better, but you can overdo it. Too much mass will make the hook flip when you're trying to grab on the side.
Ergonomics on tape measures are less about the weight and more about how naturally they fit in your hand. Since everyone's hand is different, there are a lot of different opinions about which size feels the best.
It wasn't all that long ago that paying more than $20 for a tape measure was a lot. Now, premium tapes can cost $30 or more. You certainly get better durability and features at those higher price points, but it's up to you to decide what's worth it.
A magnetic hook helps when you're doing layout or measurement around steel. But there are also times when you might not want it.
Nylon coating on the blade helps reduce the amount of wear that eventually starts rusting and peeling away.
Some of the springs in these tape measures will give your finger a pretty good pinch if you're not careful.
Printing on both sides of the tape is helpful as you're working around different scenarios.
Love it or hate it, auto lock mechanisms stop the tape as you extend it rather than forcing you to use the thumb lock.
Some of these tapes give you a little more bang for your buck with additional scales for certain applications.
The are a whole lot of publications and authors out there trying to convince you that they know what the best tape measure is. Let's give credit where credit is due'they use good SEO writers and may have even used a few popular models in the process.
But do they have more than a decade of experience using tape measures with an eye on comparative evaluation, understand the key features to look for, and have they experienced the differences in the quality of components in the field? Have they been around to see advances in standout, the development of innovative blade coatings, and how brands are dealing with durability issues?
We have. We've been testing and reviewing tape measures for more than 15 years, and they're a core tool every Pro and DIYer should own.
So, you can take the advice of whatever Big Media company decided to offer product reviews designed first and foremost to rank for Google, written by someone who may or may not understand the full landscape of what's available. Don't forget to check up on breaking news, updates on the weather, and play a few games while you're there.
Or you can trust Pro Tool Reviews because tools are what we do. When I recommend a tape measure for you, it's because it's the one I would buy. My primary motivation is to recommend what I genuinely believe is the best in each category based on more than a decade of experience and being involved in the power tool industry every day. And if you choose to buy something I recommend, I hope that it works exactly the way you expected when the time comes.
That's how I hope to earn your trust. Not because I work for a high-profile media company with massive name recognition. But because I'm like you, and when I choose to make a purchase, I see the dollars come out of my bank account. I expect those products to work when I need them. I want authentic recommendations when I'm shopping, and I'm committed to offering you the best of my experience and knowledge when you see my name as the author.
We purchased and tested 34 tape measures from several top brands and put them through their paces at The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa. We evaluated them all for accuracy, readability, ease of use, and value.
Many offer both metric and imperial measurements used in the United States, including inches and feet, although others only have one. Some also include unique features like magnetic hooks, belt clips, and auto-lock.
Although 25 feet is the most frequent length, tape measures are available in other lengths and units of measurement as well. "For most people, a 25-foot option is great because it's easy to store and long enough to handle most measuring tasks around the house," says Michael DiMartino , Senior Vice President of Installations at Power Home Remodeling. "But if your space is small, a 16-foot tape measure is sufficient for most projects you'd need it for.'
Aside from a hammer and screwdriver, a tape measure is probably the most reached-for item in your toolkit. It is the most accurate tool for finding the distance between two points, whether you need to know the width of a window to put up curtains or the dimensions of a room to lay a new carpet .
Best Overall
Irwin Strait-Line Tape Measure
PHOTO: Lowe's
$14 at Amazon
$30 at Lowe's
View on Acmetools.com
What We Like
Finger Brake to control retraction speed
Double coating at end of blade
Measurements on both sides of blade
Dual-sided hook
What We Don't Like
A little bulky
Standout a bit short
Built to take a beating and keep working, this professional-quality tape measure has a very sturdy housing that resists damage even if dropped from high. The tape measure has a sliding lock to hold the blade extended when in use, and we found it very easy to slide with just one thumb during testing.
An additional feature we loved was a "finger brake" opening at the bottom of the tape measure that lets the user control the speed of the blade as it retracts'no more abrupt motions that can cut your finger or knock the tool out of your hand. Although a bit on the large side, we found that both the 16-foot and 25-foot models were easy to hold and felt comfortable in our hands.
The 1-1/4-inch-wide blade is coated for durability, with the first 6 inches double-coated to prevent fraying, bending, or cracking. The measurement indicators are large and easy to read, with lines sized appropriately to make it easy to tell at a glance if you are looking at 1/16-inch, 1/8-inch, 1/4-inch, or 1/2-inch markings. Standard stud and joist spacings are also marked.
Both sides of the blades have the full range of measurements, so it's easy to use the tape measure even over your head or in tight or awkward spots. The one downside we found was the standout of this tape measure'the distance the blade of a tape measure can stand out straight without support before bending towards the ground'wasn't quite as good as some others in our tests. The 25-foot model tested at around 13 feet, not the 17 feet claimed by the manufacturer. The 16-foot model, however, had an acceptable standout of around 12 feet.
The dual-sided hook helps keep the blade in place when measuring without an assistant. The belt clip easily attaches to a belt or strap, but this measuring tape is a bit bulky for the designated tape measure holder on some tool pouches. Overall, we found this to be a very accurate, durable, and useful tape measure for professionals, DIYers, and around-the-house users alike.
Dimensions: Not specified | Blade Width: 1-1/4-inch | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Autolock: No | Magnetic Hook: No
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Best Budget
Komelon Contractor LR Tape Measure
PHOTO: Komelon
$19 at Amazon
$17 at Lowe's
View on Menards.com
What We Like
Blade yellow on one side, white on the other
Easy to read
What We Don't Like
Awkward blade lock
Aggressive recoil
If you just need a basic tool for taking measurements around the house, there's no need to break your budget for a tape measure. We found the 25-foot Komelon Contractor LR to be very accurate, although its awkwardly placed blade lock required us to reposition our hands to use it.
It also has a somewhat aggressive recoil, meaning that if you don't take care, the retracting blade might nick you. Still, for the price point, this is a fine, sturdily constructed tape measure.
The measurements are in black on both sides of the blade. The blade itself is white on one side and yellow on the other, which gives you options when using the tape measure in a spot with dim light that makes it a little harder to read the measurements.
The blade is double-coated nylon for durability but is somewhat flatter than many other tape measures, which reduced the standout in our tests to around 9 feet. While this isn't the best choice if you need a tape measure for frequent or professional use, it's a worthy addition to the tool box of anyone who wants a decent tape measure for occasionally measuring objects around the house.
Dimensions: 3.25 x 2.25 inches | Blade Width: 1 inch | Weight: 1 pounds | Autolock: No | Magnetic Hook: No
Contact us to discuss your requirements of screwdriver supplier. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Best Automatic Locking
Milwaukee Compact Autolock 48-22-
PHOTO: The Home Depot
$15 at Home Depot
What We Like
Autolock feature
Numeric fractions on blade
Compact size
What We Don't Like
Belt hook is somewhat stiff
Some glare on blade in bright light
This sturdy tape measure automatically locks in place at the point where you stop pulling out the blade. A well-placed top button gently releases the blade when you're ready'a feature that comes in handy when measuring a long distance without an assistant. We tested both the 16-foot and 25-foot models and found them both very accurate in terms of measurements.
We also liked the compact size of this tape measure, which fits comfortably in the hand. We noted that the belt clip was somewhat stiff, but the tool still clipped in place fairly easily. However, despite the manufacturer's claims of up to a 12-foot standout, we found that 10 feet was more accurate, as the tape measure blade is a bit flimsy.
Still, this tape measure has a lot to recommend it. Most tape measures just have small lines to indicate fractions of an inch, but that can be tough to read. If you need very precise measurements without the bother of squinting at tiny lines, you'll appreciate this tape measure as much as we do.
Unlike most other options, this one has a fractional scale'that means the fractions are printed right onto the nylon blade'so you can see clearly indicated 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2-inch numerals, plus small lines to indicate 1/16ths of an inch.
Dimensions: 3.5 x 1.875 inches | Blade Width: 1 inch | Weight: 1 pound | Autolock: Yes | Magnetic Hook: No
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The Spruce / Henry Wortock
Best Readable
Crescent Lufkin Shockforce Dual-Sided Tape Measure
PHOTO: Walmart
$23 at Home Depot
$24 at Walmart
$27 at Lowe's
What We Like
Measurements run horizontally on one side of blade, vertically on the other
Matte blade for reduced glare
Good standout
What We Don't Like
Belt hook not the best
Some catches during recoil
Admittedly, many tape measures are not easy to read. However, that's not the case with this one, which has the measurements in the standard horizontal orientation on the top of the blade and has them in a vertical orientation on the blade's bottom. That's especially useful when measuring over your head or in tight spots or places that aren't easy to access.
We tested both the 16-foot and 25-foot versions of this tape and found that the blades pulled out smoothly and recoiled well (although with a bit of a catch on the 25-foot model). However, we found it a bit tricky to hook the tape measure onto our belt.
This is a very sturdy tape measure with a 1-3/16-inch matte nylon-coated blade that reduces glare. It has excellent standout, with the 16-foot model testing at around 11 feet and the 25-foot model testing at around 13 feet. The measurements are black against a yellow tape for improved readability, and the marks are down to 1/16th of an inch the entire length of the blade. It also has standard measurements for studs and joists.
Dimensions: 3.85 x 2.3 inches | Blade Width: 1-3/16 inch | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Autolock: No | Magnetic Hook: No
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The 7 Best Ladders of , Tested and Reviewed
Best Magnetic Hook
DeWalt Tough Series Tape Measure
PHOTO: Home Depot
$24 at Home Depot
$23 at Walmart
$26 at Ace Hardware
What We Like
Removable magnetic hook
Measurement markings on both side of blade
Extra coating on end of blade
What We Don't Like
Short standout on 25-foot model
Aggressive recoil
With a rubbery outer molding, this tape measure is easy to grip and resistant to damage if dropped, although it might be a bit large for those with small hands. We tested both the 16-foot and 25-foot models and found this tape measure to be very easy to read, with big, bold markings on both sides of the blade.
Measurements are indicated down to 1/16ths of an inch, with additional markings showing stud and joist spacings. The entire length of the 1-1/4-inch-wide blade is coated for sturdiness, but the first 6 inches have an additional rip-shield coating to ward off kinks or damage. In our tests, the standout of the 16-foot version was around 12 feet, and the 25-foot model was only slightly longer at around 13 feet.
The tape measure includes a magnetic tip, which is very useful for holding the end in place when measuring metallic objects. The magnetic tip can be removed if desired, a useful feature not found on many tape measures.
There's a slide lock for keeping the blade extended at your desired measurement, and we found it easy to lock and unlock the blade with just one hand. The recoil, when releasing the blade, can be quite strong; we felt like it might actually knock the tape measure right out of our hands if our grip wasn't secure. However, this is an accurate, sturdy, and reliable tool, especially if you tend to drop tape measures or put them through rigorous use.
Dimensions: 3 x 2.9 inches | Blade Width: 1-1/4 inch | Weight: 1 pound | Autolock: No | Magnetic Hook: Yes
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Best with Fractions
Milwaukee Compact Tape Measure
PHOTO: The Home Depot
$13 at Home Depot
$22 at Walmart
View on Northerntool.com
What We Like
Numeric fractions on blade
Very sturdy construction
Smooth recoil
What We Don't Like
Short standout
Stiff belt clip
If squinting at the tiny measurement markings on a tape measure isn't your favorite part of using these tools, then you'll appreciate the clearly marked fractions on this tape measure, which are actual numerals, not just lines, indicating 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 inches. However, you'll still need to count line markings for 1/16s of an inch. We tested both the 16-foot and 25-foot models and found them to be very accurate, comfortable to hold, and quite easy to read.
The 1-inch-wide blade is coated with nylon for durability, and the tape measure's case is very sturdy. It has a rubbery coating for an easy grip and added protection against damage from drops. In our tests, the standout of both the 16-foot and 25-foot tape measures was around 9 feet, which is shorter than most others we evaluated.
The blade lock was easy to use with just one thumb, and the recoil was smooth and not overly aggressive. This makes the tape measure well-suited for home, workshop, or garage projects. It's also very reasonably priced. While this is not a professional-level tool, it is a fine choice for the average user, especially one who struggles to read the markings on most other tape measures.
Dimensions: 3.1 x 1.7 inches | Blade Width: 1 inch | Weight: 1 pound | Autolock: No | Magnetic Hook: No
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Henry Wortock
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Heavy-Duty
Stanley FatMax Tape Measure
PHOTO: Courtesy by Acme Tools
$40 at Home Depot
$40 at Walmart
$40 at Walmart
What We Like
Very sturdy construction
Easy to use blade lock and belt clip
Very accurate
What We Don't Like
Some issues with recoil
This tape measure from Stanley is very durable and designed for use on a job site where drops, rugged use, and rough working conditions are the norm. We tested the 16-foot and 25-foot models and found them somewhat bulky but still easy to hold for users with average-to-large hands. It has a thick, rubberized case and a MAXSHIELD blade coating with an additional protective coating at the heavy-duty multi-catch hook for even more protection against damage.
On both models, the blade lock was easy to slide with just one thumb, and the belt clip also worked easily with one hand. Both tape measures were very accurate in our tests. Like most such tools, the markings are in 1/16-inch increments, with standard studs and joist spacings also indicated on the blade.
The numbers are large enough for easy reading, but the 1-1/4-inch-wide blade only has measurements marked on one side of the tape. We found the blade pulled out smoothly and retracted well, although when we stopped the recoil halfway through, we needed to give it a boost to start it again.
In our tests, the standout of the 16-foot model was around 10-1/2 feet, and the 25-foot model had an average standout of around 12-1/2 feet. While this heavy-duty tape measure is probably more than you need for typical use around the house, we highly recommend it for people who need a tape measure that can survive the rigors of a job site.
Dimensions: 3 x 3.1 inches | Blade Width: 1-1/4 inch | Weight: 2.1 pounds | Autolock: No | Magnetic Hook: No
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