Makita Tape Measures
Makita tape measure options for daily set-out, first fix, and snagging when you need a reliable read and a lock that doesn't slip.
When you're marking out studs, checking openings, or pulling quick dimensions off a sheet, a duff tape wastes time and gives you bad cuts. A Makita measuring tape is built for site knocks, clear markings, and a positive lock so your numbers stay true. Pick the length that matches your day-to-day work and keep one in the pouch and one in the van.
What Jobs Are Makita Tape Measures Best At?
- Setting out stud walls, door linings, and service runs where you need quick, repeatable marks without the blade creeping back on you.
- Measuring sheet materials like ply and plasterboard for straight cuts, so you are not guessing overhangs or losing time re-cutting.
- Checking openings, reveals, and finished sizes during second fix and snagging, where a clear scale and solid lock stops silly errors.
- Taking fast on-the-spot dimensions for ordering trims, worktops, or replacement parts, so you can ring it in with confidence.
Choosing the Right Makita Tape Measure
Keep it simple: buy the length you actually pull out every day, and make sure the lock and blade markings suit how you work on site.
1. Tape length for your trade
If you are mainly indoors on fit-out and second fix, a shorter Makita measuring tape is quicker in the hand and easier in the pouch. If you are setting out rooms, fencing, or larger openings, go longer so you are not joining measurements and introducing errors.
2. Blade clarity and standout
If you measure solo a lot, look for a blade you can read at a glance and one that will hold itself out without folding over straight away. If you are mostly measuring with a mate holding the hook, standout matters less than clear increments and a lock that bites.
3. Hook and casing for site life
If your tape lives on a belt or gets thrown in a tool bag, pick a casing that can take knocks and a hook that does not bend out of shape easily. A twisted hook gives you wrong readings, and you will chase the mistake all day.
Makita Tape Measure FAQs
Does Makita make tape measures?
Yes. Makita makes tape measures as part of their hand tools and measuring kit, aimed at day-to-day site use where the casing, blade, and lock need to stand up to getting knocked about.
What is the 8 foot rule on a tape measure?
It is a quick on-site check: if a tape measure blade can extend out to around 8 feet without collapsing, it is considered to have decent standout for one-person measuring. It is not a formal standard, but it is a handy way to judge whether a tape will hold its shape when you are measuring solo.
Are Makita tape measures metric, imperial, or both?
It depends on the specific model, so check the blade markings before you buy. On UK jobs you will often want metric for set-out and ordering, but some trades still like imperial on the blade for older drawings and timber sizes.
How do I know my tape measure is giving accurate readings after a few drops?
Check the hook first, because a bent or loose end hook is the usual culprit. Compare a few known sizes, like a door leaf width or a factory edge on sheet material, and if it is consistently out, retire it before it costs you a day in re-cuts.
What tape length should I keep in my tool pouch?
If you are mainly doing indoor fit-out, a shorter tape is quicker to handle and less bulky on your belt. If you are regularly measuring rooms, openings, or external runs, keep a longer one in the van so you are not stretching a small tape beyond what it is good at.
Who Uses Makita Measuring Tapes?
- Chippies and joiners doing first fix and second fix, because a dependable tape is the difference between clean fits and constant fettling.
- Sparks and plumbers measuring runs, centres, and back box heights, so layouts stay consistent room to room.
- General builders and maintenance teams who need a Makita tape measure that lives in the pouch, gets dropped, and still reads properly on Monday.
Tape Measure Add-Ons That Save Time on Site
A tape is only half the story if you are marking out all day, so a couple of small extras stop rework and keep measurements consistent.
1. Pencils and markers
Keep a proper site pencil or marker with your Makita tape measure so you are not scratching lines with a knife or hunting around for something that actually writes on dusty timber.
2. Chalk lines
For long straight runs like stud lines, cladding battens, or floor layouts, a chalk line stops you joining short tape marks and ending up with a wandering line.
3. Combination squares
When you need quick 90 degree marks for cuts and fixings, a combination square pairs with a Makita measuring tape to keep everything square without dragging out bigger set-out kit.
Shop Makita Tape Measures at ITS
Whether you need a compact Makita measuring tape for the pouch or a longer tape for set-out and bigger spaces, we stock the full range so you can pick what suits your work. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery when you are up against it.
