How to draw a circle with a tape measure
A handy hack for how to draw a circle for your DIY projects.
There are quite a few DIY projects and painting DIYs that you need to know how to draw a circle or arch for. Colour blocking with paint is a common one, as is cutting MDF arches to customise furniture. You can use string and fiddle around tying it to a screw and pencil, or you can simply hook your tape measure on instead, read how below…
How to draw a circle with a tape measure
Step 1: Insert a screw
Decide how big you want the circle and where you need it. Insert a screw at the centre point.
Step 2: Set up the tape measure
Take the radius measurement (the distance from the centre to the circumference) on your desire circle and set the tape measure to that measurement. Be sure to lock the tape measure so it can’t move, by pressing the lock button on the side (the black button in the image below).
Step 3: Add a pen
Tape a pen onto the side of the tape measure using masking tape.
Step 4: Hook the tape measure
Hook the metal end of the tape measure onto the screw.
Step 5: Sweep round in a circle
Rotate the case of the tape measure round in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. As you do so the pen will mark out the circumference of the circle.
Ta-dah! I told you it was an easy one! Just remove the screw and fill the hole and you are ready to paint or cut your circle out.
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