Another staple of the Home Repair tool kit is the retractable measuring tape or tape measure. For general home repair projects, a smaller 12-foot to 16-foot tape measure like the one shown is fine. You'll want a tape that has the ability to lock and has a case with a belt clip. Both features are very standard on a quality tape.
You'll notice that the end of a tape measure has a little metal hook with a slot. The hook is also loose fitting. The hook is designed to make up for its thickness and adjust so you can take an inside measurement by placing the tape on the inside face of an object, with the tip pressed up against the object, or you can place the hook over the end of an object to measure outside to outside.
And what's that slot in the end for anyway? That's so you can take a long measurement by yourself by placing a nail with a head at the end of what you're measuring, and hooking the slotted end over the nail to hold it in place.
You'll notice that the end of a tape measure has a little metal hook with a slot. The hook is also loose fitting. The hook is designed to make up for its thickness and adjust so you can take an inside measurement by placing the tape on the inside face of an object, with the tip pressed up against the object, or you can place the hook over the end of an object to measure outside to outside.
And what's that slot in the end for anyway? That's so you can take a long measurement by yourself by placing a nail with a head at the end of what you're measuring, and hooking the slotted end over the nail to hold it in place.