Best digital caliper

Why use a digital caliper?

This guide will show the best digital caliper for you. Each and everyone is different and has different needs and price ranges so I’ll attempt to cover a few different base’s.

This guide is primarily aimed at the hobbyist user and the prices are relative. If you have never used a digital caliper or micrometer before and would describe yourself as a beginner I have a couple of other articles for you to check out first. What is a caliper and How to use a calipers, for some basic information.

If you have never used a digital micrometer or caliper before I think you will be very impressed with how good the cheaper hobby devices actually are and how useful they become.

What do you use a digital caliper for?

You can use a digital caliper to measure anything you would use a 6 inch steel ruler for, but a digital caliper will measure to a tenth of a millimeter. The more expensive ones will measure to a hundredth of a millimeter.

You can use a hobbyist digital caliper to measure the sizes of panel mounting components so you make the holes the correct size. With it you can measure the size and depth of holes. You can do it easily by sliding the tool and reading the display. If you’re eyes aren’t what they used to be you will find a digital caliper invaluable.

Once you have used a digital caliper to measure you won’t want to be without one. Believe me, I don’t know how I managed before!

What’s the difference between a micrometer and a caliper?

A micrometer is usually more accurate than a caliper. It’s designed to measure very small objects. A caliper measures up to a range of about 150 mm and so even though it can measure smaller distances its not quite as good as a micrometer for smaller things.

A micrometer can usually measure up to an inch maximum and can usually only measure outside dimensions, such as the outside size of the thickness of wire or paper.

A caliper can usually measure outside and inside measurements and sometimes depths too.

Digital micrometers and calipers

I love digital micrometers as they are so much more easier to use then analogue ones. I used an analogue micrometer at a printers to measure paper thickness and they are more difficult to read. You revolve the end and it moves on a thread. It has a type of ratchet on it. This is so you don’t over tighten it and squash what ever you are measuring. You then read the measurement across the body and then the increments along the side.

A digital micrometer has a lever that is sprung that you operate with your thumb. It’s quicker and easier than screwing and unscrewing an analogue device. The digital display helps as well.

Calipers vs micrometers

I’ve often seen this question. The truth of the matter is that they are different devices with a bit of an overlap. Many people, like I do, have both and use them both most of the time. They compliment each other because of the different things they measure.

Resolution and calibration

Calibration and resolution are two different things. Just because something can measure to a hundredth on a millimeter doesn’t mean it’s calibrated to that standard. It can fool you a little to see something that reads 41.23mm. Although it might be nowhere near that value just because it displays two decimal places. It could be 43mm!

Expense and accuracy

If you want to get the most accurate tools they are also going to be the most expensive. The ones that are top of the range cost an arm and a leg, however with technological and manufacturing advances, the cheaper more affordable devices are a lot better than they used to be.

For a very reasonable amount of money you can now get quite a decent measuring tool.

Using digital calipers

Most of the digital calipers have three buttons. There is a power button to turn the device on and off. You can switch between imperial and metric with the second button and the third button zero’s the device if it doesn’t read zero when you turn it on.

The jaws of a caliper are the things that are used to measure. You put the object you want to measure between then and slide them shut. As they are parallel they can measure things that don’t have flat sides.

Something like a circle for instance. It’s difficult with a ruler to measure the diameter as you need to know where the centre is. With a caliper you just put it between the jaws and read the display.

You can just as easily measure the inside of things using the inside jaws at the top of the device. These fit between two points where as the bottom ones fit around. You can use these to measure holes and distances that are cut out of panels.

Caliper depth measurement

The pole bit that comes out of the bottom is used to measure the depth of holes. There is also a function that’s difficult to describe in words but easy to understand once you’ve seen at and that’s the step measure function.

If you’ve read my buyers guide on the best digital micrometer it’s probably no surprise to see that my recommendation for the best digital caliper is made by Mitutoyo. They have a very good reputation in this industry they make excellent precision measuring tools. My chosen model is the Mitutoyo MIT500-196-30. It can measure up to 150mm or about 6 inches. It only weighs 170 grams and has a battery included which is an LR44.

I’ve not seen many products that get such a high score on Amazon. This is especially good when you consider that it’s from nearly three thousand ratings! So it’s not just my word you’re taking.

Final thoughts on the best digital caliper

It’s not often that I can recommend something without hesitation. For under a hundred pounds you are getting a fantastic measuring tool second to none. I think I can safely say that once you have bought this digital caliper you won’t be looking for an upgrade.

The Mitutoyo MIT500-196-30 will probably be the last digital caliper you buy.