Measuring Tools

Draft precise blueprints and accurate technical drawings with measuring tools from Hobby Lobby. Whether you are an architect, engineer, or artist, this selection has something for you. Look here to find the rulers and compasses you need for your next big project.

Wood, Plastic & Metal Rulers

Rulers are essential tools for measuring items and drawing or cutting in straight lines. This selection features a variety of different rulers that you can use in the classroom or office.

Wood rulers are a classic option that are glare-free and easy to grip, perfect for little hands. A clear plastic ruler is great for art projects, since it lets you see your page or canvas while in use.

If you are looking for precise measurements, a metal ruler with etched markings is a good choice. Many of our stainless steel rulers come with cork backs for non-slip texture. This backing also raises them, reducing smudges on your paper.

Scales & Drawing Compasses

Need to prepare a blueprint for your upcoming project? Make sure all the proportions are accurate with one of our scale rulers. These handy measurement tools eliminate the need for math when measuring drawings that represent larger or smaller structures, like rooms and furniture.

Use an architectural scale ruler to draw floor plans for work or for fun. These useful scales use fractions of an inch to represent feet, making them great for drafting structures and interior designs.

If you’re planning for something a little larger, use an engineer scale instead. This scale is decimal based, so it is great for bigger projects.

A carpenter square, also called a framing square, is great for marking and determining angles, while a drawing compass is ideal for creating circles and arcs. Shop here to find the tools you need for accurate drafting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I read a ruler?

A traditional ruler has standard measurements across one side and metric measurements across the other. For standard measurements, the longest marks represent an inch. Smaller marks are divided into 16th, 8th, quarter, and ½ inch sections. For metric measurements, the longest marks represent a centimeter. Smaller marks are used to represent millimeters, which are each a tenth of a centimeter.