How to Use a Ruler to Measure in Millimeters (Plus Estimating Lengths)

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Learn to measure milliliters with rulers and other objects—and how to convert from inches, meters, and other units
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A millimeter (also spelled “millimetre”) is a unit of length in the metric system—a system of units that includes centimeters, meters, and kilometers. 1 millimeter is equal to 1/1000 of a meter, or roughly the size of a pencil’s tip. So how do you measure this tiny distance? It’s actually pretty simple, and in this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to do it. We’ll also explain how to convert millimeters into other units like centimeters and inches, plus how to estimate millimeters using everyday objects. Keep reading to learn how to convert and measure in millimeters yourself.

How to Read “mm” on a Ruler

To measure in mm, hold a metric ruler against an object, count the number of whole cm of its length, and multiply by 10. Then, add the remaining mm for the full length.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using a Metric Ruler

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  1. There are 2 separate units of measurement on a standard metric ruler—centimeters and millimeters. The numbered lines correspond to centimeters, while the unmarked lines indicate millimeters. If you look closely, you’ll notice that there are 10 millimeters in a centimeter. [1]
    • The medium-sized line at the halfway point between each numbered centimeter measurement represents half a centimeter, or 5 millimeters.
    • This same labeling scheme is also used on longer metric measuring tools, such as meter sticks and tape measures.
  2. More specifically, place the line marked “0” up against the far edge of your object. Make sure the ruler is straight and neatly aligned with your starting point.
    • If you’re trying to find out how long your smartphone is in millimeters, you would arrange your ruler so that the “0” marking is even with one of the device’s horizontal edges.
    • Not all rulers have “0”s printed on them. If the one you’re using doesn’t, it’s safe to assume that the end of the ruler to the left of the “1” indicates “0mm.”
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  3. Note the number of the last full centimeter measurement. Multiplying this number by 10 will convert the unit of measurement to millimeters and tell you how long your object is in millimeters up to this point.
    • If the last full centimeter measurement reads 1, multiplying it by 10 would give you 10, since 1cm = 10mm.

    Tip: One quick and easy way to multiply by 10 when you’re working with integers (whole numbers) is to simply tack a “0” onto the end of the number. [2]

  4. Count up how many unmarked lines there are beyond the end of your object. The reason this is necessary is that there aren’t enough millimeters to account for another full centimeter. Using the centimeter measurement to quickly calculate the bulk of the object’s length in millimeters makes things easier.
    • You can also measure one centimeter past the end of your object and then subtract the number of millimeters in between. For example, 2 centimeters (20 millimeters) minus 5 millimeters equals 15mm.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Converting Other Measurements

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  1. There are 10 millimeters in 1 centimeter. To convert from centimeters to millimeters, multiply centimeter measurements by 10. Similarly, there are 1,000 millimeters in 1 meter. To convert from meters to millimeters, multiply meter measurements by 1,000.
    • For example, if you have a measurement of 5 cm, the length in mm equals 5 x 10, or 50 mm.
    • For a measurement of 21 meters, the length in mm equals 21 x 1,000, or 21,000 mm.
  2. You may need a calculator for this one. Start by entering your inch measurement up to 2 decimal places (as in “6.25”). Then, hit the “x” button and punch in “25.4,” as there are roughly 25.4 millimeters in 1 inch. When you hit the “=” button, the number you get will be the same measurement, only in millimeters.
    • Using the formula described above, 6.25 inches is equal to 158.75 millimeters.

    Tip: It should be fine to limit your final measurement to the numbers on the left side of the decimal point. If you need to be extra precise, round off to the nearest hundredth of a millimeter (the second number after the decimal).

  3. The idea here is the same as converting inches to millimeters. There are approximately 304.8 millimeters in an imperial foot, so multiplying the total number of feet by 304.8 will help you determine how long it is using the smallest metric unit of measurement.
    • If you’re 5 feet tall, you would be 1,524 millimeters tall. That sounds a lot more impressive!
  4. Multiply measurements in yards by 914.4 to convert to millimeters. Nothing new here. 1 yard is equal to about 914.4 millimeters. As a result, multiplying a yard measurement by 914.4 will instantly turn it into a millimeter measurement.
    • The same basic principle that makes it possible to convert inches and feet to millimeters also applies here. There are 12 inches in 1 foot, so 12 x 25.4 = 304.8; a yard has 3 feet, so 304.8 x 3 = 914.4, and so on.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Estimating Millimeters with a Credit Card

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  1. Credit cards (and other types of plastic cards) have a thickness of roughly 0.76 millimeters. [3] While this isn’t exactly 1 mm, it’s close enough for roughly measuring lengths in millimeters.
    • If you don’t have a credit card handy, stack 10 sheets of 8 1 ⁄ 2  in (22 cm) x 11 in (28 cm) printer paper on top of each other to get a layer that’s about 1 millimeter thick. This may be harder to work with than a single plastic card, though.
    • Warning: Since this method isn’t very exact, you shouldn’t rely on it when the precision of the measurements you’re taking is important.
  2. Align the outer edge of the card with your chosen starting point on the object. Imagine that the card is a ruler, and that the edge is the 0mm line.
  3. Run the tip of your writing utensil down the card to trace a line long enough to be clearly visible. This marks a distance of 0.762 millimeters between the end of the object and your first line.
    • Use light pressure to make the line as thin as possible. Sharpen your pencil or use a pen with an ultra-fine point.
  4. This line will be 1.52 millimeters from your starting point. Reset your card on the far edge of your second line and draw another. Continue measuring and marking in small increments until you reach the end of the object, then count up the number of individual spaces.
    • Make sure you count the spaces between the lines, not the lines themselves.
    • To increase precision, count every 4 lines as 3 millimeters total. This will account for the fact that the card is a bit less than 1 mm thick.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I convert inches to centimeters and to millimeters?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Multiply inches by 2.54 to get centimeters. Multiply inches by 25.4 to get millimeters.
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  • Question
    How do I measure liquid in milligrams?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Milligrams are measured by a weight scale. First weigh an empty container. Then put the liquid into the container, and weigh it again. Subtract the weight of the empty container from the weight of the container with the liquid in it. That gives you the weight of the liquid.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How do I convert 481 x 931 mm into inches?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    (481 mm)(931 mm) = (481 x 0.03937 in)(931 x 0.03937 in) = (18.94 in)(36.65 in) = 694.15 sq in.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Tips

      • Knowing how to measure millimeters is a useful skill. The dimensions of many common products and specialty items are given in millimeters, including tools and building materials, electronic components, eyeglass lenses, and jewelry.
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      • The metric system is known today by a different name: the International System of Units (SI for short). However, both of these names refer to the same units of measurement.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.inchcalculator.com/how-to-read-a-ruler/
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSwt3jPnz40&feature=youtu.be&t=238
      3. ↑ https://www.idwholesaler.com/media/brochures/P120i-0000A-ID0.pdf

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To easiest by to measure millimeters is with a metric ruler or meter stick. If you have a metric ruler, note that the numbered lines represent centimeters and the unmarked lines represent millimeters. One centimeter is equal to 10 millimeters. Put the zero end of the ruler at the starting edge and count the unnumbered lines after the last numbered mark. Then, add the values together. So if you measured 1 centimeter and 5 millimeters, you’d get 15 millimeters total. To learn how to estimate millimeters, keep reading!

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