The Anatomy of Today’s Architect Scale Ruler

Using a Good Architect Scale Ruler
Using a Good Architect Scale Ruler

An architect scale ruler is used by architects, designers, planners, and draftsmen. If you are going to order some with your company logo, which ruler should you choose?

  • 6 inches long, or 12 inches long? Will the person using it, be carrying it in their shirt pocket, or in their brief case, or on their desk?
  • Scales. A good architect scale ruler has at least 8 scales. Examples are (1/8, ¼), (½, 1), (3/8, 3/4), (3, 1½). These are listed in pairs, because they share the same edge, but are marked in opposite directions.
  • Color. It is good to choose a color that goes with your corporate colors.
  • Imprint color. The logo imprint color is usually the same color as the markings. So, you should choose a markings color that has a high contrast from the color of the ruler.
  • A good ruler is imprinted using a photo anodized method. This assures smooth edges, so you can use a pen or pencil to draw tick-free lines.
  • Aluminum is the best material, since it doesn’t warp.

If your architect ruler has all these characteristics, you have a good one.

Where Will You Take Your Architect Scale Ruler on Spring Break?

Architect Scale Ruler for Spring Break
Architect Scale Ruler for Spring Break

When you’re packing your bags to leave for a much-needed spring break, what do you bring?

Clothes, swimsuits, shoes, toiletries, books?

Did you ever think you would need to throw in an architect scale ruler too?

Most people probably don’t need one, but for those dedicated architects out there,  you should probably have an extra one on-hand just in case the situation calls for it!

Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Hollow Triangular Architect 12" Scale
Hollow Triangular Architect 12″ Scale

The 3 Key Features of An Architect Scale Ruler (Plus a Bonus Feature!)

Architect Scale Rulers Save The Day
Architect Scale Rulers Save The Day

The average person doesn’t typically use an architect scale ruler– we tend to stick to just a regular ol’ ruler or tape measure. To be honest with you, I hadn’t even heard of these unique rulers until just a few years ago!

What do you think their best features are?

  1. Ability to quickly translate the measurements on a blueprint
  2. They are small and portable (ie: pocket-friendly!)
  3. They come in both rigid and flexible styles

Bonus feature #4: They can be imprinted with your company’s logo!

Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Hollow Triangular Architect 12" Scale
Hollow Triangular Architect 12″ Scale

No Holiday Gift List Will Be Complete Without This Architect Scale Ruler

Architect Scale Ruler for the Holidays
Architect Scale Ruler for the Holidays

The holiday season is officially upon us, and people are eagerly putting together their holiday gift lists. It’s best to plan ahead and take care of the employees and customers on your list who need an architect scale ruler. These are the best ones to spoil them with:

Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Hollow Triangular Architect 12" Scale
Hollow Triangular Architect 12″ Scale

Did Christopher Columbus Use An Architect Scale Ruler?

Architect Scale Rulers for #ColumbusDay
Architect Scale Rulers for #ColumbusDay

As our minds drift back to elementary American history lessons tomorrow, one can only think, “Did Christopher Columbus have access to an architect scale ruler in his day?”

Okay, sure, that’s probably not the first question that pops to mind when you think about Columbus Day. But surely, Columbus must have possessed a ruler of sorts to help measure his ships, even if it wasn’t an architect scale ruler.

Did you know..

  • Basic rulers can be dated back to 2650 BCE
  • Architect scale rulers are usually made of durable aluminum or rigid plastic
  • These specialty rulers help architects accurately make their drawings to scale
Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Hollow Triangular Architect 12" Scale
Hollow Triangular Architect 12″ Scale

What is an Architect Scale Ruler and Why Does It Matter?

The burning questions is “Why does it matter”. If you ask an architect, he or she will tell you that an architect scale ruler is vital to their daily business. They would not be able to function without these rulers.

Architect Scale Rulers at Work
Architect Scale Rulers at Work

What is an architect scale ruler? It is a special ruler that is marked in special scales that correspond to the scale of the drawing. If the drawing is done in 1″ = 1 foot, then each inch on the correct scale will represent one foot in the drawing. If the drawing is done in 1/4″ = 1 foot, then each quarter inch on the 1/4 scale corresponds to 1 foot in the drawing. On this particular scale, each 1/4 inch is marked 1,2,3,4,5,6 etc. So that the “4 marking number” is one inch from the zero mark. Simple, so far. But each of these rulers has several scales, so you don’t have to have multiple rulers in your pocket. Other scales can be 1/8, 1/16, 1/3, 3/16 and so forth. The trick of this business is to be able to choose the correct scale for each drawing you are working on. If you are reading a highway map which is drawn to 1/4″ = 1 mile, you would use the 1/4 scale. If you are with me up to this point, you could become an architect!

How to Use an Architect Scale Ruler

Let’s jump right into a subject that is close to everyone: Designing a kitchen. The architect scale ruler is a very useful device to plan your new kitchen. It helps you to draw your room and appliances to scale, and to read the measurements later. It will tell you if there is enough room to place a refrigerator in a certain part of your space.

Designing Your Kitchen with an Architect Scale Ruler
Designing Your Kitchen with an Architect Scale Ruler

Now let’s get to the nitty gritty. Which scale should you use on the ruler? Your ruler may have some or all of these scales:

(1/8, ¼), (½, 1), (3/8, 3/4), (3, 1½)

If you use the “1” scale, that would mean that 1 inch on the scale equals one foot in real life. Let’s not use that one, because your 15 foot long kitchen would need a piece of paper at least 15 inches long. Let’s use the 1/4 scale, which means 1/4 inch on the scale (on the paper) represents  one foot in real life. This means that your 8 inch wide paper will represent 32 feet. Your kitchen will fit on that paper now.

From here on, you just measure your room and appliances, and draw them on your paper, to scale.

A quick designer tip: Draw your appliances to scale on colored paper, cut them out, and move them around on your drawing for the best arrangement. Also, do the same with any other cabinets or tables that you already have, and want to use them in your design.

Have fun designing your dream kitchen!

The Anatomy of a Great Architect Scale Ruler

Architect Scale Rulers
Architect Scale Rulers Help Convert Measurements

Not all rulers are created equal. Some are rigid, some are retractable tapes, some are in metric, some are in imperial. There is also a special kind of ruler used for converting the measurements on a scaled-down drawing or map: the architect scale ruler.

Here is the basic makeup of architect scale rulers:

  • They come in a variety of scales
  • Retractable tapes offer 2 different scales- one on each side of the tape
  • Bevel & triangular architect scale rulers offer 4-6 different scales
  • There are a variety of sizes- some can even fit in your pocket!

No matter what drawing you are measuring, there is a special architect scale ruler to help you out.

Hollow Triangular Architect 12" Scale
Hollow Triangular Architect 12″ Scale
Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure
Architects Scale Lufkin tape measure

Why Your Customers Need An Architect Scale Ruler

If you see any of your customers on this list, they need an architect scale ruler.

Not only do they need one, but they will be eternally grateful that you are generous enough to recognize their needs.

  • Architects

    Architect Using an Architect Scale Ruler
    Architect Using an Architect Scale Ruler
  • City Planners
  • Builders
  • Kitchen Designers
  • Carpenters
  • Contractors
  • Construction Estimators
  • Real Estate Developers
  • Draftsmen
  • Homeowners designing their own kitchen
  • Concrete Contractors
  • Electricians
  • HVAC Contractors
  • Structural Engineers
  • Civil Engineers