How to Measure Things Without a Ruler

Some of us don't always carry a tape measure/ ruler/ caliper with us all the time, and are at a loss when we need to measure something. In this instructable, I'll help you solve this predicament by effectively measuring things you usually, if not always have within arms reach: credit cards, dollar bills, coins and cell phones. This way, when you need to measure something (and don't have a ruler handy) you can use your standardized objects to measure against.

Let's get started!

Look into all your pockets right now, likes are you probably have some crumpled dollar bills, a credit card (or business card) some loose change, and your cell phone. We are going to measure these articles and use those measurements to serve as makeshift rulers.

A typical credit card measures about a bit under 3.5 inches wide by 2 inches long.

A U.S bill note measures 6 inches wide by 2.5 inches long

A U.S quarter dollar (new or old) measures about 1 inch in diameter

An Iphone 5S measures 2.3 inches wide and 4.9 inches long

I found that after measuring the dollar bill was probably the best makeshift ruler, as it is a 1/2 foot, and because it is foldable, I could easily figure out any fraction almost exactly.