Tapes:

Tapes could be used for more accurate measurements of lengths. They are lighter and simpler to handle and comparatively less liable to change in length than chain. It is depending on the material, these can be of following categories:

(a)        Cloth or linen tape

(b)       Metallic tape

(c)        Steel tape or Steel band

(d)       Invar tape

(e)        Fiber glass tape

Cloth or linen tapes are 12 to 15 mm wide closely woven linen varnished for moisture proofing. Generally used lengths are 10 m, 20 m, and 30 m. Because these are liable to shrink while wet and alter in length because of twisting or stretching, these are rarely used for accurate measurements. The better ones are interwoven along with small brass, copper or bronze wires to give strength and resistance to shrinkage and stretching. These are available within range varying from 2 m to 50 m in length.