As a novice to intermediate woodworker and DIYer, I came across a couple of recommendations for FastCap tape measures. Needless to say, this is now my go-to tape. Pros: It's inexpensive and high-quality. It was half the price of the "team red" tape I had prior. It is very easy to read, has markings down to 16ths, and this particular model (lefty/righty) makes it easy to read those marks on both sides of the tape. Accuracy is fantastic and the green color is very easy to see/find. Seems to be very durable and isn't overly heavy and could fit comfortably in a pocket if needed. This may sound simplistic, but this is so easy to get back on my belt and stays very secure. Lastly, and probably my favorite feature, is the lack of slop on the hook. The "team red" tape had about 1/8" to 3/16" play when hooked, but the FastCap has little to none. Love that! Cons: None. Love it! Would highly recommend, and I will continue to purchase FastCap in the future and recommend to family and friends. Already got my kids one each and they love them!

Good quality for the price. Easy to read. Works as intended.

This is exactly what I was looking for to replace the tape that I keep within reach of my miter saw. Now, I can measure from either end, without having to read it upside down. And the nice bold print is great for failing old eyes like mine. The pencil sharpener and scratch pad are features that I have yet to use, but I'm sure I will... if I ever think about it. I don't know how long it will last, but the price is low enough that even if I have to buy a new one every year or two, I still couldn't really complain.

Update on 3/18/2025; I went ahead and emailed the company and they actually replied. It seems they are sending me a new tape. Pretty stinking cool!! Although I will leave my review, I wanted to update with the new information and expand this review by adding Excellent Customer Service!!! Bumped them up a star. Might buy a couple more as gifts for the girls. I actually don’t have too much of a complaint but durability might not be a good claim for these. Bought 3 in October, grew tired of all my tapes being different. Seemed like a decent product and purchase price was good. I think they were on sale. Today while framing up my wife’s new greenhouse, I left this tape on top of my 6’ ladder and it fell off when ladder was moved. It landed in pea gravel from 6’ and this was the result. The little clip popped off and disappeared(not my concern). But dang.look at this thing Also, the stand out on these are truly about 6’ max. I have two more and will use them until they break, but might not get anymore. The handy-woman in your life will probably like them, but I’m going to stick with my old Stanley or my new Milwaukee for framing or tough work. I have a 16’ Stanley lever lock I use in the shop all the timeit might be the best little tape I’ve ever had.

16h number digits are great for poor number memory like me. Lasts about a year before it delaminates overall I recommend

This is my favorite tape measure. Only downside is the belt clip needs to be longer. Markings are legible, has s instead of tick marks so that cuts down on mistakes. The pencil sharpener works, and the erasable writing space is handy.

This is a fantastic tape measure. It is for sure one of my favorites that I own, and I love the built in pencil sharpener. The only thing that would knock it out of the park for me is if it was auto locking. It has a button on the underside for quick stops, which works in a pinch, so there's that at least.

Sturdy construction, easily readable. I'd prefer that the foot markers be highlighted along with every 16" marks as I'm used to the older style measuring tapes; takes a bit of adjustment

I just wish you had the option to change the clip to the other side for the true lefty lol

The pros Very easy to read Small package and weight Price Features The cons The tape is not durable, mine started to break at the 2” mark with in weeks I would try again but if this how long they last than it’s not a feasible option

The concept seems good but not really great. The problem with measuring with a tape measure is the mistake of reading upside down. With this one, it seems more gimmick than practical. Sure it works, but when work fast paced, mistakes will still be made. When Reading upside down, though with this tape it flips the numbers right side up, the problem lies with reading left to right. So when you go to mark 5 1/4, if you're not paying attention, you may actually mark 4 1/4. After I got it I tried it out thinking how I would use it in a real world scenario at a job site. I immediately saw this flaw and with a fine tipped Sharpie I added the whole number above the half inch increments so at a glance I knew it was the correct number, not the one before of after which would leave me an inch off. The actually solution would be to either print the numbers backwards which is impractical and unreadable for most, or to print starting from the end going down. So for this tape it would start (in the top part) at 16 feet/192 inches (with the bottom half starting the usual way at 0 to 1...). The tape itself is decent just as any other tape, with the added built-in sharpener and an eraser able pencil pad. Good quality but not the best.

I have multiple of these now. They are great and easy to read. If you are looking for a good measure tape this is the one.

I bought one of these to have on hand in the high school woodshop for students who just struggle with fractions. I have students that are great with their hands but struggle reading a tape measure. This lets us just convert to inches (instead of feet and inches) and they have a much easier time (and their young eyes can see the tiny numbers better than i can). We'll see about durability but at this price point it seems like a great deal. I might get a few more.

Product Review: FastCap PSSR-16 16 Foot Pro Carpenter Standard Reverse Measuring Tape The FastCap PSSR-16 Pro Carpenter Measuring Tape is an excellent tool for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. Here’s what stands out about this measuring tape: Dual-Sided Measurements: One of the best features is the reverse measuring capability, with measurements printed on both sides of the tape. This makes it incredibly easy to read from any angle, especially when working in tight spaces or awkward positions. Clear amp; Easy to Read: The tape features large, bold numbers, making it easy to read, even at a quick glance. The high-contrast black and red markings on the white background are very clear, so I never have to squint to see the measurements. Durable Build: This tape feels durable and built to last. The 16-foot length is perfect for most jobs around the house or on-site, and the tape itself has a solid, sturdy feel without being overly bulky or heavy. Integrated Features: I love the built-in pencil sharpener and erasable notepad on the side, which add a level of convenience. It’s a handy way to jot down quick measurements without needing an extra piece of paper, and it saves time when I need to sharpen a pencil on the go. Locking Mechanism: The tape has a smooth retraction and a strong locking mechanism that holds it securely in place. I never have to worry about it slipping during measurements. Final Thoughts: The FastCap PSSR-16 Pro Carpenter Measuring Tape combines functionality, durability, and thoughtful design. The reverse measurement feature, along with the built-in pencil sharpener and notepad, makes this a versatile tool that’s perfect for both professionals and DIYers alike. Highly recommend it for anyone needing a reliable and user-friendly measuring tape.

I love all the features and consistent with my other measurement tools. Love the sharpener, write-able face, readability, and known base width. Not a fan of the clip or the durability but for the price you can't beat it.

My favorite thing is it's capability to hold the tape hard n fast. It's nice and smooth, not a downward battle of thumb and bottoming the button out lol.I'm used to regular tapes, but recently got into woodworking and this has made my life so much better.Hate math. Always have. Fractions can go ef themselves. They've made it easy to read, no guesswork on exactly which tiny dash line I'm looking at.Lol, very powerful retractor! You know we play with new toys, so I was doing the extendo, how fair will it go, maneuver. Clicked to retract and my dog was almost decapitated, and slammed back into the case. SOLID!Worth the money. Don't think I'll need another, fells well built and sturdy. And when it slammed home it was a nice, sweet, solid thud. Not that scratchy, whiny, when will the spring sprang, noise. A solid even smack each time.I'll definitely buy more of their products

Seems nice enough. Guess I didn't really know what I was expecting. People rave about these Fast Cap products. It's a good tape measure... but it's no easier to read than any other.

What I like is that the tape is very accurate light weight easy to clip in the pocket what I usually do and it opens up to pass the 16' markWhat I don't like is that it bands very easy for long measurements.Over all the tape is not bad for the price.Like the old saying, “you get what you pay for”

This is a nice measuring tape with clear, easy to read markings and a smooth action. However, one of the reasons I bought it was for the button on the bottom that is suppose to keep it from retracting when set down. However, it really does not work at all. If you press the button it works, but just setting it down does not. To me that makes the feature useless since it fails to free up a hand. I have no idea when one would use this button as it is. The writing pad is a nice touch, but I doubt I will ever use the pencil sharpener (but I knew this when I bought it). Took one star off for the disappointment from non-functional features. At $8 I think it's still a good value. Haven't checked accuracy and haven't had it long enough to comment on durability, but looks/feels well made.

This tape measure with the writing pad and pencil sharpener is my favorite one so far, i bought myself the 16 and my father the bigger one i liked mine so much. Its easy to read easy to use and comes with lots of cool features. You dont end up forgetting a measurement cause you can write it on the side on the pad, your pencil sharper keeps your pencil sharp and the belt clip keeps it secure. No more whipping yourself or cuttin your finger on the side of the blade when retracting the blade cause of the button underneath the tape measure that allows you to slow and control it while retracting. Overall its a very nice product with everything you need to complete the job at hand quickly smand efficiently