Knowing how to read a ruler is important because it enables accurate measurement, which is fundamental in many aspects of life, from everyday tasks to more complex projects. It allows for precise communication about size and helps in tasks like building, crafting, and even understanding spatial relationships.  

Need to get more precise than a ruler? A dial caliper is a precision measuring instrument used to take various measurements, including outside dimensions, inside dimensions, depth, and step measurements. It is particularly useful for applications requiring accuracy down to a thousandth of an inch or a hundredth of a millimeter, according to some sources.