Why is a tape measure hard to read in a corner?

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Accuracy

A blade pushed into a corner bows, so the graduation you are squinting at is on a curve and no longer flat against the surface you care about. The T1M Utility returns the internal dimension as a number, which removes the interpretation entirely. On base returns and cabinet openings that is the difference between a fit and a scribe.

Why a corner defeats a printed blade

The blade bows and the marks curve
The graduation is no longer flat
T1M returns the internal dimension
Nothing to interpret off a bend
The difference between a fit and a scribe

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Because you are reading tick marks on a curve. Pushed into a corner at floor level the blade bows, and the graduation you are squinting at is no longer flat against the surface. A digital readout gives you the internal dimension as a number, so there is nothing to interpret off a bend.