Online RulerPrint a ruler at actual size
Print the AR Ruler page at Actual Size or 100%, then compare its 10 cm test line with a physical ruler. Turn off any option that fits the page to the sheet or shrinks it to the printable area. Use the printed scale after the test line matches.
- The printable page puts a 15 cm ruler and a 6 in ruler on the same sheet.
- The two scales are sized independently in physical print units. One inch equals 25.4 mm.
- The 10 cm line gives you a separate place to check whether the page printed at the intended size.
- Open the printable ruler and choose Print. In the print dialog, select the paper size that matches the sheets loaded in your printer.
- Choose Actual Size if the dialog offers it. If it asks for a custom scale, enter 100%. Clear any setting that fits or shrinks the page.
- Check the preview for both rulers and the test line. Print a single sheet and lay it flat so you can compare the marks without bending the paper.
- Put the zero of a physical ruler at one end of the test line. Check whether the other end meets the 10 cm mark before measuring with the printout.
Find the scale setting
Look for a scale control in the print dialog or its additional settings. The name depends on the program that opens the print window. If a separate printer dialog appears after the browser preview, check its size settings too. A fit or shrink choice there can change the result even after you set the browser preview to actual size. Leave the page at the intended scale at each stage.
Check the whole page
Make sure the preview includes the zero marks, the last marks on both rulers, and both ends of the test line. If part of the page is cut off, confirm the selected paper size and orientation. Check how the page sits within the printer margins. Keep the scale at actual size while you correct the page setup. A page can appear complete in the preview and still come out at a different size if a scaling option is active.
Compare the printed line
Set the physical ruler beside the test line with both resting flat on the same surface. Use the ruler’s zero tick, since the ruler itself may extend past that mark. Look straight down to compare the two endpoints. If the printed line comes out short or long, check both print dialogs for scaling, print another sheet, and repeat the comparison. Once the line matches, measure from the printed zero tick.
Do I need to calibrate the screen first?
The print layout uses physical print units. Set the print scale in the dialog and check the result on paper with the test line.
Can I use a tape measure for the test?
Yes. Use its centimeter marks and lay it flat and straight along the printed line so you can compare both ends.
Can I trim the paper around the ruler?
Yes. Check the test line first, then cut outside the printed marks. Leave the zero tick and all the ticks you plan to read intact.