How to Measure Shelves
Measuring shelves may sound easy, but it can actually prove harder than expected. Keep reading to learn how to do the task in an easy and straight forward way by following a few, easy steps.
First: Gather equipment and supplies
You need a tape measure long enough to measure the area and shelves. You also need a pencil or pen and a piece of paper.
Second: Write down your notes
On the paper you should make your grid of the area and create bullet points listing everything you need to know like height, width, thickness and depth.
Third: Start with the basics
Take the tip of the tape measure, and place it on the bottom of the shelf. Holding the tip in place, stretch the tape measure to the top of the shelf. Take your measurement in inches or whichever foundation you choose, and write the measurements in your notes. You now have the height. Now, start again, and put the tip of the tape measure on that bottom edge. This time stretch the tape measure to the other edge of the bottom. You now have your width.
Fourth: Finish with the depth
Next, you need the depth. Even though there is only typical one depth, it is always best to take two, separate measurements. Lay the shelf on its back so that you can measure the bottom from front to back, and measure the top of the shelf from front to back. Write down both measurements.
Fifth: You are all set
You now have all the measurements you need. The only thing left to do is measure the area where you want the shelf to sit, and make sure it meets all the measurements.