Introduction

Measuring a matboard accurately is crucial for framing artwork and photos, but what if you find yourself without a ruler? Don’t worry! There are several creative ways to measure a matboard using common household items. In this blog post, we’ll share practical methods to help you measure your matboard precisely without a ruler.

Method 1: Using a Standard Sheet of Paper

1.1 Why It Works

• A standard sheet of paper (U.S. Letter size) measures 8.5 inches by 11 inches. You can use this as a makeshift ruler to measure your matboard.

1.2 How to Use It

• Step 1: Place the sheet of paper along the edge of the matboard.
• Step 2: Mark the endpoints of the paper with a pencil.
• Step 3: Move the paper along the edge and mark the next segment until you have measured the entire length or width.

1.3 Example

• To measure a 20-inch matboard, place the paper twice along the edge (8.5 inches + 8.5 inches = 17 inches) and then measure the remaining 3 inches.

Method 2: Using a Credit Card or ID Card

2.1 Why It Works

• A standard credit card or ID card measures approximately 3.37 inches by 2.13 inches. These dimensions can be used to measure larger items by repetition.

2.2 How to Use It

• Step 1: Place the card along the edge of the matboard.
• Step 2: Mark the endpoints of the card with a pencil.
• Step 3: Repeat this process until you have measured the entire length or width.

2.3 Example

• To measure a 10-inch matboard, place the credit card along the edge three times (3.37 inches each time, totaling approximately 10.11 inches).

Method 3: Using a Piece of String

3.1 Why It Works

• A piece of string can be used to measure the perimeter of the matboard and then compared to a known length.

3.2 How to Use It

• Step 1: Lay the string along the edge of the matboard and cut it to the exact length of the matboard.
• Step 2: Compare the string to a known length, such as a sheet of paper or a credit card.
• Step 3: Mark the string at intervals of the known length and sum the total.

3.3 Example

• If the string measures three lengths of a standard sheet of paper (11 inches each), the matboard is approximately 33 inches long.

Method 4: Using Your Body Parts

4.1 Why It Works

• Certain body parts have consistent measurements that can be used for rough estimates. For example, the width of a thumb is typically about 1 inch, and the length of a foot is roughly 12 inches.

4.2 How to Use It

• Step 1: Use your thumb, hand, or foot to measure the length of the matboard.
• Step 2: Count the number of times you repeat the measurement along the edge.
• Step 3: Multiply by the estimated length of your body part.

4.3 Example

• To measure a 24-inch matboard, place your foot (assuming it is 12 inches long) along the edge twice.

Method 5: Using Household Items

5.1 Why It Works

• Many household items have standard sizes that can be used for measurements. For example, a standard U.S. quarter has a diameter of approximately 1 inch.

5.2 How to Use It

• Step 1: Place the household item along the edge of the matboard.
• Step 2: Mark the endpoints and repeat the process until you have measured the entire length or width.

5.3 Example

• To measure a 12-inch matboard, place a quarter 12 times along the edge.

Conclusion

Measuring a matboard without a ruler is entirely possible with a bit of creativity and resourcefulness. Whether you use a sheet of paper, a credit card, a piece of string, your body parts, or common household items, you can achieve accurate measurements for your framing projects. These methods ensure that you can always measure your matboard accurately, even when a ruler isn’t available.