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Ruler

Adapted from Wikipedia ยท Explorer experience

A closeup of a steel ruler, useful for measuring and learning about tools.

What Is a Ruler?

A ruler is a tool we use to measure how long something is. It has little lines on it that help us see the size. Rulers can also help us draw straight lines. People have used rulers for thousands of years to measure things like paper or rooms.

Different Kinds of Rulers

Rulers come in many sizes and shapes. Some are small enough to fit in your pocket, while others are longer, like yardsticks or meter sticks. Long ago, rulers were made from wood, but today many are made from plastics. Strong rulers for work might be made from metal.

Why Rulers Are Important

Rulers are very useful in school subjects like geometry and mathematics. They help us make accurate drawings and measure things correctly. Even though there are other tools like tape measures, a ruler is a simple and easy tool to use every day.

Images

A close-up of a measuring tape, useful for learning about tools and measurements.
A ruler with centimetre markings, also usable as a letter scale for weighing small items.
An ancient measuring tool called a 'cubit' from the city of Nippur, on display in a museum in Turkey.
A carpenters rule used for measuring and marking distances in woodworking and construction.

Related articles

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Ruler, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.