A micrometer is a tool used to measure very small distances accurately, up to 1/10,000 of an inch. It has a spindle and anvil that contact the item, and a thimble and sleeve used to read the measurement. The sleeve is read like dollars and quarters, while the thimble reads pennies. To take a measurement, the reading on the sleeve is given in dollars and quarters, then the thimble reading in pennies is added to determine the full measurement. Regular practice is needed to become skilled at reading micrometers.

1. Reading a Micrometer Get Precise Measurements

3. Caliper

6. Spindle and Anvil are the contact points

7. Spindle and Thimble turn together

8. A micrometer caliper is read at the point were the edge of the thimble crosses the barrel scale or sleeve

9. The Sleeve The space between each number is divided into quarters.

10. Easy to read just think of the sleeve as $

11. What is the measurement?

12. What is the measurement? $2.00 or 0.200 inches

13. What is the measurement?

14. What is the measurement? $2.25 or 0.225 inches

15. What is the measurement?

16. What is the measurement? $2.50 or 0.250 inches

17. What is the measurement?

18. What is the measurement? $2.75 or 0.275 inches

19. What is the measurement?

20. What is the measurement? $3.75 or 0.375 inches

21. If the sleeve is dollars and quarters, the thimble is pennies As the thimble rotates add the pennies to the dollars and quarters. Reading the sleeve we get $3.25 or .325 inch. Now add the pennies, or .001 to the sleeve measurement. .326 inch

22. What is the measurement?

23. What is the measurement? $3.75 + .10 or 0.385 inches

24. What is the measurement?

25. What is the measurement? $3.00 + .04 or 0.304 inches

26. What is the measurement?

27. What is the measurement? $4.25 + .05 or 0.430 inches

28. What is the measurement?

29. What is the measurement? $4.75 + .12 or 0.487 inches

30. Practice Reading a micrometer gets easier with practice! Try the quiz embedded in the PET MOODLE site to check your skills.