The red boxes on a tape measure indicate the most common distance between studs in homes and traditional buildings (16-inches apart). The black-boxed numbers are similar. Spaced 24-inches apart, these markings are for stud-placements in smaller buildings (like sheds) where the weight load is lighter. These number boxes make quick work of marking lines for stud placements.
What do the black diamonds mean?
The black diamond marker on a tape measure falls between the 16-inch and 24-inch spacing. This marker is commonly used in building a concrete block chimney. But, it has other uses too.
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