How to Read The Metric Vernier Caliper

The vernier caliper is used for more precisely length measurements which means to gain an
additional digit of accuracy compared to a simple ruler. The dimension that can be measured
by vernier caliper is inner dimensions measurement, outer dimensions measurement and
depth measurement.
Vernier caliper consist of several part :
1. Inner jaws : inner length measurement (exp : inner diameter of a mug)
2. Outer jaws : outer length measurement (exp : outer diameter of a mug)
3. Stem : depth measurement (exp : depth of a mug)
4. Main scale : the main digit that used in the measurement
5. Vernier scale : additional digit that used for more precisely measurement
6. Screw clamp : locking screw, blocks the movable jaws after make it fit with the object,
so the result of our measurement will not change. We have to lock it manually

Step in Reading Vernier Caliper Scale
1. When we are going to measure an object, for example is outer measurement of bottle
diameter, the first thing that we have to do is make sure that the surface of the object is
clean.
2. Open the jaws of the caliper and position them on both sides of the piece you are
measuring. Make sure that you use the proper part of vernier caliper in measuring the
object, whether using inner jaws, outer jaws or the stem. (the function have already
mentioned before)
3. Push the jaws firmly until it fit with the the object.
4. Lock the screw clamp after we fit the object, so that the jaws don't move. After you sure
that the srew clamp have locking the jaws, then you can start to read the scale that
obtained.
5. Before we read the scale, we have to know that there are two kind of precision for
vernier caliper. Precision of 0,02 mm and 0,05 mm. How we can know that the vernier
caliper that we use is a 0,02 mm or 0,05 mm in precision? By counting the segment that
available in vernier scale and use this equation (

).
For example :
If there are 20 segment in vernier scale, then the precision is

mm.
If there are 50 segment in vernier scale, then the precision is

mm.
6. As we know that there are main scale and vernier scale. On the vernier scale there is a
small number 0. Look at how many mm divisions it is past on the main scale by this 0
number. Then we record it. For example : 9 mm, but there is a space after 9 mm.
7. There is a space after 9 mm, but we dont know how long is the measurement for
precisely. For solve this problem we have to determine which division line on the vernier
scale best lines up with a division on the main scale.
8. After we found the division on vernier scale that lines up with a division on the main
scale, we count how many segments in vernier caliper from 0 number until the line up
division. For example : from 0 in vernier caliper until the line up division there are 28
segments.
9. How to calculate the precise number from this calculation? Use this equation =
() ( ) ( )
Example = 9 mm + (0,02 mm) x 28 segments = 9 mm + 0,56 mm = 9,56 mm = 0,0956 cm
10. And we have got the final result of measurement of the object using vernier caliper.