As the saying goes, “measure twice, cut once.” Taking measurements is one of the most important parts of any project, whether it involves cutting by hand, using a CNC machine, or 3D printing a model. Getting an accurate measurement, though, can be difficult, especially when every detail counts. Sometimes, a standard ruler or tape measure just doesn’t cut it.
In this article, we’ll go over some of the best digital calipers and micrometers that you can use for designing models or finding different measurements you may need. We’ll include a diverse selection to account for different budgets, measuring styles, accuracies, and more.
Before we get into the list, though, we’ll go over the differences between calipers and micrometers, and we’ll mention a few considerations to keep in mind when looking at measuring tools.
Calipers & Micrometers
Digital calipers and micrometers are measuring tools that can take accurate measurements. They use a digital display to provide small resolutions, meaning that you can achieve more precise measurements than with a ruler (or a similar non-digital tool).
Although often used interchangeably, digital calipers and micrometers aren’t the same. The former is a ruler-like tool with a slider that you can move back and forth to measure. On the other hand, a micrometer uses an extendable cylinder to measure a distance (usually a much smaller distance or range than a caliper).
Micrometers are typically more expensive than calipers, and have less variety. This type of measuring device is also more common among professional designers, where superior accuracy and resolutions are necessary.
Considerations
When looking at a measuring tool, like a digital caliper or micrometer, there are a few things to consider. The first and perhaps most important consideration is the tool’s accuracy, or the tolerance at which a tool can take a measurement (e.g. ±0.01 mm). The lower this value is, the better!
Second, you should look at a tool’s resolution, meaning the smallest value a digital measuring device’s LCD will display in a certain unit. The smaller this value, the more precise a reading you will have, allowing you to design objects more accurately.
Although, ideally, you want the smallest resolution, not every decimal place of the displayed measurement is useful, especially because of the inherent error associated with hand-held devices due to, for example, vibrations from your hand. Similar to TV pixel resolutions (e.g. 4K vs. 8K), measuring with a resolution of 0.001 mm versus 0.01 mm likely won’t make a difference in most cases. Extremely small resolutions for calipers are often more of a marketing tactic than a practical application.
Lastly, you should consider the caliper’s material. The stiffer and more durable the tool’s material, the sturdier it will be and the longer it will last. More flexible and fragile materials, like plastics, can bend, snap, and break much easier than metal ones.
Now that you know what to look for in a measuring device, let’s get to the options!
Calipers
In this section, we’ve included some of the best calipers. The majority of these tools use a measuring device that slides along a rail.
Neiko 01407A
First off, the Neiko 01407A is a caliper made by Neiko, an automotive-focused tool manufacturer. With a measuring range of 6 inches (150 mm) and an accuracy and resolution of 0.02 and 0.01 mm, respectively, this caliper is a great all-around option for a fairly low price. This device can also display measurements in inches, millimeters, or fractions, a trio that not all calipers offer (most don’t show fractions).
The Neiko 01407A, like most calipers, provides three ways to measure objects. The main long jaws are for basic measurements, the smaller jaws are for internal measurements, and the extension piece is for finding an object’s height (or depth).
This metal digital caliper features a standard LCD screen, with a few buttons for changing units, resetting (zero), and powering it on and off. It also has a thumbscrew that you can rotate to make small, precise movements with the sliding component for more accurate measurements. Additionally, there’s a screw on the side of the sliding component that allows you to lock the measurement when needed.
- Accuracy: ±0.02 mm
- Resolution: 0.01 mm
- Material: Stainless steel
- Price: ~$25
Anytime Tools Dial
This dial caliper is made by Anytime Tools, a seller of measuring devices and related tools. This caliper uses a less popular method of taking measurements: Instead of a digital or basic analog reading, it displays the measured value with a dial.
Although this means that the resolution of the dial is only as much as you can see (or estimate), you aren’t as limited by the environmental conditions, such as measuring an object underwater, because there are no electronics involved. This mid-price caliper also has a useful knob that you can twist to move the sliding device, adjusting the measurement in small increments. You can purchase this caliper in different sizes, from 4 to 24 inches.
- Accuracy: ±0.0254 mm
- Resolution: N/A (analog reading)
- Material: Hardened stainless steel
- Price: ~$35
Clockwise Tools DCLR-0605 Electronic
There’s a lot to like about this electronic caliper from Digital Tools. The large digital display makes it easy to read measurements quickly and you can seamlessly switch between metric, standard, and fraction measurements using the push buttons.
In addition to being user-friendly, this caliper is also accurate. It takes measurements down to 0.03 mm and the data transfer port can send measurements to a computer. Add in stainless steel construction with the IP54 protection certification, and you’re looking at a durable and reliable caliper that can withstand rough weather and dirt.
- Accuracy: ±0.03 mm
- Resolution: 0.01 mm
- Material: Stainless steel
- Price: ~$26
Adoric Budget Plastic
The Adoric digital caliper is one of the least expensive digital calipers available, costing around $10. While Adoric is a popular brand that sells this caliper, many other off-brand companies offer similar digital calipers.
As you might expect from a caliper of this price point, the Adoric has a rather limited resolution and accuracy of 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm, respectively. Because it has a plastic frame, the caliper can bend more easily, further compromising the accuracy of measurements.
Nonetheless, the caliper has an LCD screen and costs a fraction of the others on this list. You may want to use this caliper if you’re okay with the limited accuracy or if you don’t have the budget for a higher-quality one but still want a digital reading of your measurements.
- Accuracy: ±0.2 mm
- Resolution: 0.1 mm
- Material: Plastic
- Price: ~$12
Vinca DRGA-0605 Long Jaw
The Vinca DRGA-0605 is a caliper made by Clockwise Tools, a manufacturer of quality work tools. This specific product is part of the company’s Vinca collection of measuring devices. Unlike the others on this list, it has long jaws that can help take more difficult measurements in spaces where a full caliper might not fit.
While this caliper allows you to take more complex measurements, it doesn’t have the best accuracy (0.05 mm). However, this caliper has a data port for computer connections as well as an adjustable thumbscrew, and it can even display measurements in fractions. The 0605 also has a maximum measuring range of 6 inches (150 mm).
- Accuracy: ±0.05 mm
- Resolution: 0.01 mm
- Material: Stainless steel
- Price: ~$45
iGaging Absolute Origin
The iGaging Absolute Origin is a digital caliper made by iGaging, a manufacturer of measuring tools. One of the most interesting features of this type of caliper is that it comes in maximum range variations, from 4 to 40 inches long, making it great for measuring longer distances.
The caliper gets its name because it always measures from the absolute origin point (0), which may not be the best feature if you need to adjust the origin. For manual movements, the Absolute Origin caliper has a thumbscrew that you can rotate.
While the iGaging Absolute Origin doesn’t have the lowest (best) accuracy of this list, it’s worth mentioning that this caliper has an Ingress Protection rating of IP54. This means that the caliper should be pretty weather resistant, making it quite versatile.
- Accuracy: ±0.02 mm
- Resolution: 0.01 mm
- Material: Hardened stainless steel
- Price: $40-$400
iGaging Outside
This caliper is also made by iGaging and is designed solely for taking hard-to-reach outside diameters. The caliper looks almost like a dentistry tool or barbeque tongs and uses a hinge-like mechanism to move two jaws. Attached to the device is an LCD to display the measurement, with a few buttons to power it on and off, reset it, and choose units.
As mentioned in one review for this product, this caliper can help if you’re trying to find the width of a window, but the window is positioned where you can’t use a normal caliper. It’s also worth noting that this caliper has a maximum measurement range of 8 inches (~200 mm).
- Accuracy: Not specified
- Resolution: 0.1 mm
- Material: Metal
- Price: ~$37
Micrometers
In this category, we’ve included a few different micrometers. This type of measuring device is a clamp-like tool that uses an extendable piece to measure a distance. Although these devices are less popular than calipers, they’re often associated with higher accuracy.
Mitutoyo 293-340-30
Mitutoyo is a Japanese company that focuses on measuring and meteorological devices. The Mitutoyo 293-340-30 is a higher-end digital micrometer that can measure distances up to 1 inch. While expensive, this device has an astonishing accuracy of just 0.001 mm.
The 293 micrometer has a rotating spindle – also called a ratchet thimble – for moving the clamp jaws, and it includes both analog and LCD readings of measurements. This device measures up to 25 mm (1 inch), so keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to make the purchase. A positive aspect is that it’s IP65 certified, meaning that it can handle a fair amount of water (although it’s not completely waterproof).
- Accuracy: ±0.001 mm
- Resolution: 0.001 mm
- Material: Plastic with carbide jaw parts
- Price: ~$150
Anytime Tools
The Anytime Tools micrometer is another option made by Anytime Tools. Unlike most of the other options on this list, it’s a purely analog micrometer with no digital display.
While this may mean that the micrometer’s resolution is left up to you and your eyesight, it also makes the tool significantly less expensive than others. Additionally, this micrometer should work in any environment, no matter how sandy, wet, or harsh, because there are no electronics that need protection.
This micrometer has a measuring range of only 1 inch due to the length of the extending jaw, which you can adjust using the thumbscrew. Luckily, the Anytime Tools micrometer comes in different sizes. For example, you can choose the 5-6 inch variation of this device to measure distances between 5 and 6 inches (still a 1-inch range).
- Accuracy: ±0.00254 mm
- Resolution: N/A (analog reading)
- Material: Metal with carbide jaw parts and satin chrome finish
- Price: ~$25
Vinca DMCA-0105
Lastly, this measuring device is another product in the Vinca series from Clockwise Tools. However, unlike the other Vinca option on this list, the DMCA-0105 is a vice-grip-style micrometer rather than a traditional digital caliper. The micrometer has a pretty good accuracy of ±0.002 mm, and a standard maximum range of 1 inch (25 mm).
The seller of this product boasts that the DMCA-0105 is very high quality due to its hard carbide jaw with laser-etched detail. The 0105 has both a digital display and an analog one with ticks to show measurements. You can move the micrometer’s jaws using the thumb adjustment screw. This micrometer is also equipped with a total of seven buttons to adjust the units, origin, and to perform other actions (e.g. tolerance setting function).
- Accuracy: ±0.02 mm
- Resolution: 0.001 mm
- Material: Metal with carbide jaw parts
- Price: ~$65
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