You probably use your tape measure for basic measurements—but did you know it can do a whole lot more? From hidden markings to clever design features, here are some uses you may never have noticed.

Mysterious Marks

You probably already know that the highlighted numbers (16, 32, 48…) are for laying out studs, joists, or rafters every 16 inches.

 

But what about those little diamonds or triangles?

They’re called truss marks, and they’re used for 19.2-inch layouts—which can save on framing materials. Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of