Dial Caliper Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Which feature should you use to measure the internal width of a narrow opening, assuming the jaws fit correctly?
The outside measuring faces
The slider lock screw
The depth rod
The small inside jaws
2. Repeated measurements of the same rigid part vary by 0.004 in. What is the most useful first response?
Average the values immediately without checking the setup
Assume the part expanded and replace it
Clean and reseat the part, then repeat with consistent alignment and pressure
Rotate the dial bezel so every reading shows the same number
3. A caliper reads +0.002 in when fully closed. Without resetting it, the caliper indicates 0.756 in on a part. What is the zero-error-corrected measurement?
0.752 in
0.756 in
0.758 in
0.754 in
4. A shaft specification allows 0.498–0.502 in. A properly zeroed caliper reads 0.503 in. What follows from that measurement?
The shaft meets the specification because it is close to the midpoint
The shaft is 0.001 in above the permitted maximum
The shaft is below the permitted range
The shaft meets the specification after rounding to two decimal places
5. Which feature is designed to measure the depth of a blind hole or recess?
The depth rod extending from the end of the caliper
The inside jaws
The rack along the beam
The dial bezel
6. A typical inch dial caliper shows 1.200 in on the beam and 0.063 in on the dial. What is the combined measurement?
1.203 in
1.863 in
1.630 in
1.263 in
7. When closing the outside jaws around a part, which approach is most likely to produce a repeatable reading without distorting the part?
Use gentle, consistent contact pressure and keep the jaws properly aligned
Close the jaws rapidly and use the first value displayed
Tighten the jaws firmly until the slider cannot move
Hold the part near one jaw tip and apply changing pressure to find an average
8. After the measuring faces are cleaned and the outside jaws are closed gently, the pointer rests at +0.002 in instead of zero. What does this indicate?
The caliper has a positive zero error that should be corrected or accounted for
The caliper has automatically added its standard contact allowance
The beam scale should be read in the opposite direction
The jaws are displaying their normal minimum measurable thickness
9. For a stable depth measurement of a recess, how should the caliper be positioned?
Seat the caliper’s reference end flat on the surface and extend the depth rod straight into the recess
Insert the inside jaws and use the smallest reading obtained
Hold the caliper above the surface while extending the depth rod by sight
Rest one outside jaw on the edge and tilt the beam toward the recess
10. When reading the dial, how should your line of sight be positioned to reduce viewing error?
At a shallow angle from the beam end
As squarely in front of the dial face as practical
From whichever angle makes the pointer appear nearest a graduation
Parallel to the workpiece rather than oriented to the dial
11. You need to measure the external diameter of a smooth round shaft. Which caliper feature should contact the shaft?
The depth rod
The large outside jaws
The step-measuring faces
The small inside jaws
12. On a typical 0.001 in dial caliper, the beam has passed 0.300 in and the dial pointer is at 47 divisions. What is the reading?
0.307 in
0.347 in
0.470 in
0.743 in
13. On a typical inch dial caliper with 0.001 in dial divisions, how much slider movement does one complete revolution of the pointer usually represent?
0.001 in
1.000 in
0.010 in
0.100 in
14. What is the main purpose of a dial caliper’s slider lock screw?
To increase the force applied by the measuring jaws
To change the dial from inch units to metric units
To hold the slider at a selected position for retaining or inspecting a reading
To adjust the depth rod independently of the slider
15. Why should the jaws and workpiece surfaces be wiped before taking a precise measurement?
Cleaning changes an inch caliper into a metric instrument
Cleaning increases the nominal size marked on the workpiece
Oil, chips, or dirt can prevent full contact and shift the reading
A clean surface eliminates the need to check zero
16. What is the smallest increment directly indicated by a typical inch dial caliper marked with 0.001 in graduations?
0.100 in
0.010 in
0.001 in
1.000 in