Taking Rough Measurements, Wherever You Are

Ever found yourself needing to measure something, but you don’t have a tape measure or ruler with you? Maybe you're at a job site, in the middle of a DIY project, or just trying to purchase the right item at Home Depot.

Whatever the situation, not having a tool doesn’t mean you’re out of luck.

Here are some practical, surprisingly accurate ways to get a rough measurement of just about anything, using what you do have available.

1. Get a Rough Measurement Using Your Hands, Arms, and Feet

If you’re an average-sized adult, you’re in luck! These measurements probably match yours:

• Thumb width: 1 inch wide at the knuckle

• Hand span: 8–9 inches from thumb to pinky finger, spread out as far as you can go

• Arm span (“wingspan”): When you stretch your arms out wide, the distance from fingertip to fingertip is usually about the same as your height—typically within two inches.

• Foot length: It’s smart to commit your foot length to memory, so you can quickly measure longer distances by walking heel-to-toe.

2. Measure by Stride

This is a classic trick that surveyors, engineers, and construction crews have used for generations—and something we teach all our interns. By calibrating your walking stride, you can quickly estimate distance just by counting steps.

Here’s how:

1. Use a measuring tape to measure and mark out 30 feet.

2. Walk that distance at your natural pace and count your steps.

3. Divide the total distance by your step count to find your average stride length.

4. Once you know your stride, you can estimate distance on the fly:

   “20 steps at 2.5 feet per step = 50 feet.”

It’s not perfect, but it’s fast—and often accurate enough for early-stage estimates or field checks. (Also, some smart watches can tell you your average stride distance, so you can double-check it against that.)

3. Use Common Objects

You likely have some everyday items in your bag or desk that are conveniently sized for measurement:

• Standard sheet of paper: 8.5” x 11”

• U.S. dollar bill: Exactly 6.14 inches long

• Credit card: Typically 3.37 inches x 2.125 inches

• Sticky notes: Often 3” x 3”

  
  

Once you know the dimensions, use them like a ruler—stacked, side-by-side, or end-to-end.

Rough Measurement Tools Are All Around You

With a little calibration and some creative thinking, you can measure almost anything—no tape measure required.

Have a favorite measurement hack or trick? Share it in the comments! We’re always looking to add to our toolkit.