In general, the red diamonds are 16" apart, allowing 4 studs (and
three spaces) to support a 4' sheet of ply or drywall.

And the black ones are about 19.2", allowing six studs (five spaces)
to support an 8' sheet. (This is primarily used in commercial work,
where steel studs are used to hold long sheets -- 12' and longer -- of
drywall.)



Dominick Fiumara wrote in message ...
Why are there diamonds on a tape measure. You know....the little black
ones. What do they indicate?
Cheers!
Dominick