Precise and accurate measurement is all that is required when it comes to drawing. To achieve that, you need to have the best rulers to draw a straight line and other images. There are metal rulers; engineer rulers, aluminum engineer rulers, drawing rulers, and other great drawing rulers available in the market that can help you achieve your goal.
All these drawing rulers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. These rulers are also made from different materials; some are made from metals, whereas others are from other materials. With the higher number of rulers in the market, it’s good to be aware of the choice you make when you buy one.
Best Rulers For Drawing- Buying Guide
1. Eboot 2 Pack Plastic Ruler Straight (Clear, 12 Inch)
Do you need a set of drawing rulers that is translucent and that can show you what you are drawing? If that is what you have been looking for, then 2 Pack Plastic Ruler Straight Ruler Plastic is here for you. The ruler comes in the perfect size and material that lasts along.
Features
Perfect Size- 2 Pack Plastic Ruler Straight Ruler Plastic is one of the drawing rulers that come with the perfect size you need. The ruler measures 30.9 x 3.2 cm in length and width. It has a thickness of 0.25 cm; it also has a range that measures 12 inches.
Dual Measurement- This ruler has two side measuring rulers with a centimeter-scale on one edge and an inch scale on the other side of the ruler. This dual-scale enables you to meet your various measuring need and in an accurate way.
Material- This straight plastic ruler is made from high-quality, strong, and durable materials that last for years. These materials make it easy and convenient for you to use it. Its color is translucent, making it easy for you to have a clear view of your drawings.
Wide Application- Imagine having a ruler that you can use in different tasks. This ruler can be used. It is applicable in offices and schools as a measuring tool for engineers, architects, artists, designers, students, etc.
Pros
- Made of durable and high-quality material
- It is sturdy and hence maintains accurate drawing
- It is translucent, leading to clear vision on drawing
- It has a dual measurement
- It has a wide application
Cons
- It is complex for kids to use
2. Eboot Stainless Steel Ruler and Metal Rule Kit
There is nothing more durable than stainless steel or metal rulers. Therefore, rulers made of stainless steel are said to be long-lasting and that they provide experience in drawing. They are also perfect because their marking does not fade or disappear no matter how constant you are using them.
Features
Quality Material- This ruler is made of premium high-quality stainless steel material that doesn’t bend and is ideal for heavy-duty. This material makes the ruler ideal for those drawing works that last for years.
Design- The ruler comes with two set-pieces of one piece measuring 12 inches and another 6 inches. Each set has a hole on the curved end, which is used to hung or store it easily. The set comes with a plastic storage sleeve.
Wide Application- The durability and sturdiness of the ruler make it ideal for a variety of heavy-duty projects like carpentry, engineering, architecture works, among others. The two different lengths of the ruler make it easy to be used in a different environment as it is easy to clean.
Good Marking- The ruler features a legible marking that matches perfectly. One side is imperial while the other is metric, which has recessed perfectly to metal, making the ruler perfect and not easy to rub off when using it.
Pros
- Made of solid and durable material
- It can be used in different application
- It is sturdy and easy to use
- Easy to clean
Cons
- The material isn’t pure stainless steel
3. ALLINONE-1121-001 Plastic Ruler Flexible Ruler
If you have been looking for a clear plastic ruler for your drawing, then perhaps you need to use the most translucent and accurate measuring, ALLINONE in your task. The package comes with two rulers that measure 6 and 12 inches long, which makes it perfect for significant projects. This ruler is flexible, strong, and straight, and therefore you do not need to worry about how to make it straight in your tasks.
Features
Perfect Size- ALLISON drawing ruler comes in two pieces which measure 16×2.9 cm (6-inch) and 30.9×32 cm (12-inches). It also has a thickness of 2mm and 2.5 mm, respectively. These sizes make it perfect for any task that you have and what to tackle.
Dual Measurement Scale- The ruler is a double measuring tool as one of the side has a centimeter-scale while the other is an inch scale. This allows you to quickly meet your drawing measurement needs and in an accurate way.
Sturdy And Durable Material- Although the ruler is made from transparent plastic material, it is strong enough and durable to be used for a long period. This high-quality material is explicit, straight, and convenient in measuring. Since it is clear, you can view your letters, lines and numbers on your page.
Broad Application- Because of high-quality material and a clear view of the ruler, it can be used by designers, engineers, architects, students, among others. The clear plastic ruler is ideal for classroom works.
Pros
- It is translucent and clear
- Sturdy and durable
- It is easy and convenient to use and store
- It has a wide application
- It has two measuring scale
Cons
- It is prone to blemishes
4. Mr. Pen Steel Rulers
Are you in need of a set of rulers in your office that are perfect for various tasks? If yes, then the most appropriate ruler is Mr. Pen’s steel ruler. The set comes with four items, each with different sizes ranging from small inches of 6 to the longest 14 inches.
Features
Strong Material- Mr. Pen’s rulers are made from stainless steel and metal material. This material has a stainless steel thickness of 0.9 mm on each of the four rulers. This makes it strong enough and therefore cannot bend when doing your measurement.
Dual Scale- Each of these four rulers has a dual measuring scale, the imperial and metric scales. However, every scale has additional notches of about 1/20 centimeters and 1/64 inches. This makes the user have a more comfortable measurement in their work.
Perfect Size- Mr. Pen comes with four different rulers which have different sizes. It has 6 inch, 8-inch, 12-inch, and 14-inch rulers. These distinct sizes make the set perfect for a comprehensive application. The first three rulers have around-ended and a hole on the end for easy storage and portability, while the longest ruler has straight end edges.
Conversion Table- This ruler comes with a conversion table on the back that helps you to calculate the measurements in various units. The measurements mark begins at the edges, and it is easy to read. The markings are precise and sharp to read when on any surface.
Pros
- It has a clear and sharp marking that is durable
- The set comes with a plastic case for storage
- It has a hole on the ending for easy hung
- It has a conversion table at the back
- It is a cheap ruler yet durable
Cons
- They are not ideal for those who use metric measurements
- It can come while bowed; hence can’t lay down straight
5. Westcott 8ths 12-Inch Beveled Transparent Ruler
If you are looking for a transparent ruler that is universal and that will enable you to have accurate information then, the Westcott 8ths 12-inch ruler is the perfect solution for you. The brand has incorporated innovative designs technology that provides quality and style excellent for craft, school, and office drawings.
Features
Sturdy And Reliable- This ruler uses transparent plastic that is laminated in a quality style and innovative way. The material is strong enough and can be used for an extended period without any problem. The clear and transparent nature makes it ideal for one to accurately read the drawing length.
Perfect Length And Size- The ruler is 12-inch in length, and its edges are beveled to make it easy to read the scale. It has a zero-centering scale which makes it precise in measuring and easy drawing.
Wide application- The meticulous quality and cutting nature of the ruler and its cutting edge has made the ruler have an excellent reputation. It can be used by students, designers, engineers, and others.
Pros
- It is affordable
- Made from quality material that is strong and durable
- Easily portable
- Perfect ruler for graphic design work
- It comes in a variety of sizes that meet your expectations
Cons
- It appears flimsy
6. Arteza Architect Scale Ruler
Arteza is one of the top and uniquely designed drawing rulers. it features a printed measurement of various sizes in various scales. This triple-sided ruler is the perfect choice for architecture. The three-dimensional construction and broad base make the ruler steady for use.
Features
High-Quality Material- This ruler is made from professional-Grade anodized aluminum that is lightweight, strong, and durable. This material makes it easy to be used as the engineering scale blueprint, educational projects, or other professional work.
High Visibility- The measurements are embossed into aluminum. It comes with three different color grooves in the ruler with a scale that does not fade or disappear as it is designed to last longer. The colors also make it easy for you to quickly and accurately the side you desire to use without any confusion.
Top-Quality Measurement Scales- This quality 12-inch ruler features three sides that have six different scales. The triple scale has 1-1/2, 1 ¾, 3/8, 3/16, 3/32, ½, 1/8, 3, and 16 inches. The ruler is designed to create an environment that is easy for one to use the ruler.
Pros
- Made of sturdy and robust material
- It comes with a pack of measurements of up to 12 inches
- It is lightweight and durable, making it to be used in different projects
- Achieves the precise and accurate measurement you need
- It can be used in different projects
- It has a good and quality scale
Cons
- There are some faults when reading
7. Mr. Pen – T Square, T Ruler, 12 Inch Metal Ruler
Do you need the best drawing ruler that is ideal for artists, engineers, or architects? Then do not worry, Mr. Pen T square is the solution for you. The ruler consists of a perpendicularly joined ruler which forms a T shape tool that can be used easily in drawing the right angles.
Features
Unique T Square Design- This black ruler combines an 8-inch ruler and a 12-inch ruler to make the unique well design of the ruler. The ruler is largely and accurately laser printed on the two sides. The head that forms T is 8-inch or 20 cm.
Quality Material- The T-square ruler is made from carbon steel materials that are strong and durable. This material makes it easy to be used as an L square, L ruler, and T square for an extended period in drawing and measurement without any problem. The ruler is black with a white scale that is easy to read.
Accurate And Compatible– The ruler is accurately laser printed on all sides with inch and centimeter measurement. This makes the ruler compatible and used as a T square, L ruler, or L square.
Pros
- Made of durable, high-quality carbon steel
- It is ideal for heavy-duty works
- It is sturdy and easy to use
- It is good in measuring for accurate angles
Cons
- It is not straight
8. Architectural Scale Ruler 12-Inch
We all aspire to avoid all things that might hurt us as we keep on working. In the drawing, the same applies when we choose the rulers we use in our various tasks. Architectural ruler is one of the top rulers that are designed to provide maximum precision and readability. It makes your engineering, architecture, teaching, craftsmen’s work convenient.
Features
Top-Quality Material- The ruler is made from solid and durable aluminum material. The ruler forms a Soraco triangular architect scale provides the tool with the perfect design you may need in your work. The premium anodized aluminum alloy is sturdy and durable.
Perfect Scale- This ruler has a black anodized finishing ruler with durable laser etches scales ranging from 1-1/2, 1 ¾, 3/8, 3/8, 3/32, ½, ¼, 1/8, 3, 16 inches parts of the ruler. This accurate scale makes the ruler ideal for professional works like technical illustration, drafting, architecture, civil engineering.
Package- Architectural scale ruler measures 12-inch, and it features protection box x1, engineering scale x1, and standard ruler x1. These entire have different scales with different measurements to enable you to have a perfect measurement.
Pros
- It is constructed from top quality material
- It is sturdy and durable
- It has the perfect design that enables one to have an excellent view of his drawing.
- It has a wide application
- It is readily affordable
Cons
- Limited to length
9. Westcott Finger Grip Ruler – 12-Inch
Are you looking for the best plastic ruler that is long-lasting? If yes, then why not test Westcott finger ruler? It is one of the perfect solutions for such works. The 12 inches ruler is flexible and provides you with the perfect solution for various tasks. It is perfect for home use, classroom or office.
Features
Perfect Scale- This ruler has a scale of 12 inches with an imperial scale of 1/16 inches. There is also a metric scale that is in millimeters.
High-Quality Material- The ruler is made of durable plastic smoke grey translucent color, which allows you to view your drawing at the right angle. Its center features a well-raised finger grip that makes it easy for users to handle the ruler.
Excellent Design- Westcott Finger Grip ruler has used an innovative and stylish design and quality, making it easy to use in schools, office drawings, and crafting work. There are sharply delineated numerals that are accurate measurements.
Pros
- Reliable and strong
- It is easy to keep and use
- Wide application for home, office, or home use
- It is durable
- Translucent color that is perfect for viewing
Cons
- The measurements are inaccurate
10. Creative Impressions Metal Edge Acrylic Ruler
At the bottom of our list is creative impressions metal edge acrylic ruler. Despite being last on the list, this metal ruler is extremely good, just like the other highlighted rulers. The metal edge ruler is ideal for craftwork.
Features
Design- The ruler features a transparent grid design that allows accurate and parallel measurements. The rulers’ center makes the ruler quick and accurate and easy to use in your project. There is also a punched hole which makes it easy for hanging or storing.
Perfect Scale- The rule is 12 inches long; the center of the ruler is a metric scale used for accurate measurement. The ruler has a relatively small size but is comfortable keeping your drawing at a top-quality level compared to others.
Pros
- It is made of translucent plastic material that is of high quality.
- It is durable
- It is sturdy and doesn’t bend
- It is portable
Cons
- The scale is somehow difficult to use
Best Rulers For Drawing Buying Guide
Understanding which of the available drawing ruler is better isn’t easy. This is because the market is full of several drawing rulers. However, if you are an expert, you automatically know and understand the best ruler you can use for your task. To buy the best ruler consider,
a. The Material
Material is one of the most important things to consider in any ruler. Drawing rulers are made from various materials like wood, stainless steel, and plastic. Others are made from acrylic, glass, and brass, among others. The best ruler needs to be durable and able to be used even up to heavy-duty works. In this case, wood and stainless steel are durable and resistant to damage.
b. Length
The length of the drawing ruler is also essential. It will hurt you if you realize that your ruler is not long enough when you have your measurement. In the drawing, rulers come with two measuring scales, imperial and metric scales. These scales have a range of lengths, and the best one should be long enough to measure your preferred measurement.
c. Shape
Always pay attention to the shape of your drawing ruler. Typically most rulers are straight. However, some are triangular that might not be ideal for some tasks. There are also transformers like protractors that work perfectly for other tasks.
d. Color
The color of the ruler may influence the compression of the drawing ruler. If roe example, a ruler is black, then the scale must have a contrast marking to make it easy to be read when drawing. The color also need not be that too bright to affect your eyes. Choosing your preferred color ensures it is not affecting your eyes; instead, it makes it easy for you to read.
e. Edges
Metal rulers like stainless steel might hurt you when they fall or come across your skin. It might also be dangerous to your kids. In this case, you need to choose rulers that have round corners and not sharp ones. The plastic rulers, in most cases, have rounded corners that might not hurt you.
f. The Scale Markings
The best rulers need to have markings that are clear and easy to be seen. Suppose you need a ruler that you are going to use for an extended period. You need to check if the marking is etched or printed. In this case, the marking should not fade off after use; the etched marking does stay for an extended period, so they are ideal. But you need to check if they are well visible.
Types of Rulers
Understanding that rulers are essential as they are used for various tasks, it appears that there are so many devices in the market. Some of them are used for specific tasks, while others have extended features for various tasks. In the market, the most common ruler types include,
i. Desktop Ruler
These are the foremost standard rulers that are used by most students and other office workers. They are mostly used in average measurements like knowing the length of a given device. They are also used in drawing straight lines.
ii. Steel Rulers
These are also another universal type of rulers that are available in the market. Carpenters and students commonly use them. They are thin and have etched marking, making them more accurate when it comes to measurement.
iii. Carpenter’s Rule
As the name suggests, they are rulers that carpenters use. They are mostly made from wood and have a limited length of about 6 inches. They, however, can be some folding type that can have an extended length.
iv. Seamstress Tape
Seamstress tape is also another flexible ruler available in the market, which tailors mostly use. The rulers are made of plastic and are used to measure the circumference of body parts in the body.
v. L-Shape Ruler
These are other types of rulers that you can get in the market. With this ruler, they have two kinds of scale that are used to measure different angles.
vi. French Curved Rulers
These are other ruler types that have a variety of uses. In most cases, they are used in shaping the lengths of necklines and armholes.
vii. Square Quilting Rulers
These are translucent square-shaped rulers that are majorly used for cutting the fabric square pieces accurately.
How Do You Start a Grid Drawing?
Grid drawing is a top technique meant to improve accuracy without affecting the development of freehand drawing. The method involves putting a grid as the reference point when drawing to help you achieve your drawing. This grid drawing follows the following steps.
Determine Your Grid Dimensions
Before starting, you need to know where you are going to use your grid. Maybe you need a rectangular or square cell, variable or uniform size, and all this depends on how you need your grid to look.
Decide How Big You Need Each Square Should be
Maybe you need every square cell to be 1 x 1 inch. Note down this measurement so that they guide you as the basis of your markings. Make sure that the sizes of the squares are uniform.
Prepare to Have The First Marks.
Place the ruler on top of the paper and lineup it to mark your lines from the left edge of the paper. This is done so to ensure that your lines are accurate and straight.
Initial Point Making
Put your drawing item on the left edge of the paper where you had marked it. Make extended dots if you have decided to have squares of your desired length. Repeat this process in different positions down the paper.
All Direction Marking
Rotate your paper in 90 degrees and repeat the above process so that you can make both vertical and horizontal points.
Point Connection
Align the edges of the dots you have drawn. Ensure that all the dots are perpendicular to the ruler. With your drawing utensil, draw a line of connection to the points.
Adjustments
Make some adjustments if your lines aren’t good or appear to be broken. Repeat the process up when you have as accurate a line as possible.
FAQ
a. Is Drawing With a Ruler Cheating?
It is not at all; rulers are there to help you improve your precision and lines when drawing. When drawing, we are not automated software that can draw by ourselves for artistic work. There is a need for help, and rulers are the perfect solution.
b. Do Artists Use Rulers?
Absolutely yes; in most cases, you will realize that many artists use rulers when drawing their work. With straight lines, they begin from a given point, and therefore they use rulers as proportions to have a perfect work in their final artistic work.
c. What is a Triangular Ruler Called?
The triangle ruler is called a set square. This is because they are triangular-shaped, and in some moments, they have a cut-out center. These cuts are the ones that make it vary from one ruler to the other.
d. What is The Most Precise Ruler?
The lengths are usually measured using a ruler. The limit and accuracy of these rulers are indicated by the precise of how easy it is to read them. So to know which precise ruler needs to have a close distance, let say about 0.1 cm.
e. What Does a Scale of 1 to 50 Mean?
This is a scale ratio that means that 1 unit equals 50 units. That might be 1inch unit = 50 inches. However, this is a direct scale which works better in metric as the unit scale is multiple.
Final Verdict
It might not look hard to get the best rulers for drawing, but the reality is that it is. However, if you have carefully read our buying guide, I am sure you have known some expert information that can help you to choose the best ruler.
With the list we have compiled, you will get the best tool that you need. All you need to do is understand the factors you need to check to choose the best from our list. We hope that you have realized that this comprehensive buying guide is essential for you.