Stanley Tylon Tape Measures

The Stanley Tylon tape measure is one of those tools that ends up in every site bag for a good reason. Available in 5m and 8m lengths, it covers most day-to-day measuring tasks without any fuss. The Tylon coating on the blade is the key difference here: it wears significantly better than standard lacquer finishes, meaning you get a readable, accurate blade for far longer than you would with a cheaper alternative. The matt finish also cuts down on glare, which sounds like a minor thing until you’re squinting at a tape in full sun on a roof job.

The case is made from a bi-material construction that gives a decent grip whether your hands are dry, dusty or slightly less than clean. The positive blade lock holds firmly when you need it to, and the belt clip means it’s within reach when you’re up a ladder or moving between jobs.

What Makes the Stanley Tylon Tape Measure Worth Carrying

A lot of tape measures fail at the hook end. It gets knocked about, the rivets loosen, and suddenly your measurements are slightly off in ways you might not immediately notice. Stanley has used a 3-rivet tru-zero hook on this one, which spreads the load and reduces the risk of the hook bending or breaking under normal site use. The hook itself moves slightly to compensate for both inside and outside measurements, so you’re getting accurate readings whether you’re hooking onto an edge or pushing the end into a corner.

Class II accuracy is the standard you’d expect on a professional tape, and this one meets it. For setting out, checking dimensions on cut materials, or general building work, that level of accuracy is more than adequate.

The 5m version suits most general trades work and fits easily into a tool belt. The 8m is the one to reach for when you’re setting out rooms, measuring stud work, or doing anything where you’d otherwise be joining two tape lengths together. Two different jobs, two different tools, and both priced sensibly enough to keep one of each on the van.