Marks on tape measure - what are they for?

[Steve Maskery]

I noticed something today that I'd never noticed before. I wanted to know how far apart were 400mm and 16" (the answer is that 400mm is about 15 3/4").

On my tape measure there are some small black diamond marks. Some make sense, they are at 1ft, 400mm, 16", 2ft, 800mm etc. But some are in odd places: just over 19 3/16", and multiples thereof. What are they for? Anyone know?

S

 

[Skeety]

I think they are truss marks (used in the US) for spacing roofing trusses.

Jon.

 

[MMUK]

+1

Used for spacing out joists and roof timbers

 

[Steve Maskery]

Thank you guys. Always something new to learn.
S

 

[Phil Pascoe]

They divide eight foot into five.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Ah!
And the 16" ones divide 4 foot into three.
TVM
S