yardsticks

A yardstick is a straight measuring stick, typically 36 inches long, used for measuring length in carpentry, crafts, education, and layout work. The name reflects its purpose: it is a tool for measuring up to one yard.

Most yardsticks are made from wood, such as maple or beech, but plastic and metal variants are also common. They are marked with imperial units along the edge—usually inches and feet—with subdivisions such as 1/16 or 1/8 inch. Some yardsticks also include metric graduations, with centimeters and millimeters, to aid quick conversions or mixed-unit work.

Uses and characteristics: a yardstick serves to measure objects up to a yard in length, to lay out straight lines, and to transfer marks. It is longer than a typical ruler and is less suited for precise measurements than a steel tape or caliper. Yardsticks are widely employed in schools, workshops, and home projects for quick, approximate measurements and straight-line layouts.

History and standards: the yardstick embodies the yard unit, which is defined internationally as 0.9144 meters. Since the mid-20th century, the inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimeters, aligning imperial measurements with the metric system. Wood yardsticks have a traditional, durable form, while modern versions may be laminated, plastic-coated, or reinforced for durability and resistance to wear.

See also: ruler, meter stick, measuring tape.