Tapes are available in a variety of materials, lengths and weights. The various types of tape in common use are described below .
Cloth or linen tape: These are closely woven linen or synthetic materials and varnished to resist moisture. They are available in 10-30 m length and 12 to 15 mm width. Disadvantages of such tape are that it is affected by moisture and shrinks, its length changes when stretched and it is prone to twisting and not staying straight in high winds.Metallic tapes: It is a linen tape with brass or copper wires woven into it longitudinally to reduce stretching. As it is varnished, the wires are not visible. These are available in 20–30 m length. It is an accurate measurement device and is commonly used for measuring offsets. As it is reinforced with wires, all the defects of linen tapes are overcome.
Steel tapes: These are 1–50 m in length and 6–10 mm in width. At the end of the tape a brass ring is attached, the outer end of which is the zero point of the tape. Steel tapes cannot be used in grounds with vegetation and weeds.
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