Meetbanden

Meetbanden, or measuring bands, are flexible rulers used to determine length. They are widely employed in construction, carpentry, tailoring, and various trades. The term meetbanden is commonly used in Dutch, while English-speaking contexts typically refer to them as measuring tapes or tape measures.

A tape measure generally consists of a retractable blade stored in a handheld case. The blade can be made of steel or fiberglass. Steel tapes are rigid and highly durable, offering good accuracy for short to medium-length measurements. Fiberglass tapes are lighter and resistant to corrosion, making them suitable for longer measurements and outdoor work, though they may be less stiff than steel tapes.

Graduations on meetbanden are printed at regular intervals, usually in metric units (millimeters and centimeters) with longer marks for every decimeter and meter. Many tapes also include imperial units for dual-scale use. The end of the blade typically features a small hooked lip that can move slightly; this design allows accurate measurements whether the tape is used on the outside or inside of objects, and it also accommodates pulling or pushing when measuring.

Additional features often found on meetbanden include a locking mechanism to hold the blade in place, a belt clip or holster, and a large contrast display for readability. Standout length describes how far the blade can project beyond a edge without support, a practical consideration for measuring across gaps or over obstacles.

Historically, retractable measuring tapes evolved from earlier folding rules and flexible rulers, becoming widespread in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, meetbanden are inexpensive, portable, and produced in a range of lengths and accuracies to suit different tasks.