Is this the right type of tape measure to use?

Page 1 of 1 [ 12 posts ] 

Jamesy
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 24 Oct 2008
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Posts: 8,458
Location: Near London United Kingdom

25 Oct 2020, 11:35 am

When measuring your waist circumference is this the right type of tape measure to use (pictured in my link) or do you need a different type of measuring tape?

https://tinyurl.com/y32vusmk


Basically what i am reffering to is a metal tape measure.



Last edited by Jamesy on 25 Oct 2020, 1:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.

jimmy m
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 30 Jun 2018
Age: 76
Gender: Male
Posts: 9,550
Location: Indiana

25 Oct 2020, 1:08 pm

Link produced error message.


_________________
Author of Practical Preparations for a Coronavirus Pandemic.
A very unique plan. As Dr. Paul Thompson wrote, "This is the very best paper on the virus I have ever seen."


magz
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator

User avatar

Joined: 1 Jun 2017
Age: 40
Gender: Female
Posts: 16,283
Location: Poland

25 Oct 2020, 1:29 pm

The link doesn't open but generally for body measurements, this kind of tape is usually used:
Image


_________________
Let's not confuse being normal with being mentally healthy.

<not moderating PPR stuff concerning East Europe>


Jamesy
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 24 Oct 2008
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Posts: 8,458
Location: Near London United Kingdom

25 Oct 2020, 1:36 pm

magz wrote:
The link doesn't open but generally for body measurements, this kind of tape is usually used:
Image



if you use metal tape measure how inaccurate might your waist measurement be?



magz
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator

User avatar

Joined: 1 Jun 2017
Age: 40
Gender: Female
Posts: 16,283
Location: Poland

25 Oct 2020, 1:39 pm

Jamesy wrote:
if you use metal tape measure how inaccurate might your waist measurement be?

Quite inaccurate - it's too stiff.


_________________
Let's not confuse being normal with being mentally healthy.

<not moderating PPR stuff concerning East Europe>


Jakki
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 21 Sep 2019
Gender: Female
Posts: 12,583
Location: Outter Quadrant

25 Oct 2020, 1:45 pm

Cloth tape measure like the ones in the above pictures is the correct one to use .


_________________
Diagnosed hfa
Loves velcro,
Quote:
where ever you go ,there you are


RightGalaxy
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 21 Dec 2008
Age: 64
Gender: Female
Posts: 3,145

25 Oct 2020, 7:41 pm

they call it "a measuring tape made for sewing". Tailor's measuring tape.



RightGalaxy
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 21 Dec 2008
Age: 64
Gender: Female
Posts: 3,145

25 Oct 2020, 7:42 pm

magz wrote:
Jamesy wrote:
if you use metal tape measure how inaccurate might your waist measurement be?

Quite inaccurate - it's too stiff.

Yes. Those metal types are for construction - measuring flooring, wood, walls, etc...



Jamesy
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 24 Oct 2008
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Posts: 8,458
Location: Near London United Kingdom

26 Oct 2020, 6:51 am

RightGalaxy wrote:
magz wrote:
Jamesy wrote:
if you use metal tape measure how inaccurate might your waist measurement be?

Quite inaccurate - it's too stiff.

Yes. Those metal types are for construction - measuring flooring, wood, walls, etc...


just measured my waist with a metal tape measure and i got 32.5 inches


my jean size is 32 by the way



FleaOfTheChill
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 31 Jul 2020
Age: 309
Gender: Non-binary
Posts: 3,205
Location: Just outside of reality

26 Oct 2020, 6:55 am

If you're concerned about accuracy, get a piece of string if you have some available, wrap it around your waist snug but not too tight, then lay it on the metal tape measure. I'm not sure if you're looking for precision or a rough estimate. The metal one will give a semi decent estimate. The string will give you more precision though.



Jamesy
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 24 Oct 2008
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Posts: 8,458
Location: Near London United Kingdom

26 Oct 2020, 8:50 am

FleaOfTheChill wrote:
If you're concerned about accuracy, get a piece of string if you have some available, wrap it around your waist snug but not too tight, then lay it on the metal tape measure. I'm not sure if you're looking for precision or a rough estimate. The metal one will give a semi decent estimate. The string will give you more precision though.


if my jean size is 32 does that mean my waist size is 32 inches?



FleaOfTheChill
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 31 Jul 2020
Age: 309
Gender: Non-binary
Posts: 3,205
Location: Just outside of reality

26 Oct 2020, 6:10 pm

Short answer, no.

Long answer, jeans will vary in size from brand to brand. While it's more common in women's clothing, than in men's, vanity sizing does exist still to some degree in some brands. Further, jeans do stretch out after wear, so some brands will take that into consideration when doing their sizing. Plus, there's some human error involved. The difference shouldn't be great, and most people wouldn't care.

I only mentioned the string and metal measuring tape, because I seem to have it in my head you posted something about body fat percentages somewhere. That made me think you might want a more precise measurement than your average person would. It's been my experience that people who care about things like body fat percentages want precision with their body measurements. If I had a total oops moment, I apologize.