FastCap ProCarpenter Standard Reverse PSSR-16 16 Foot Tape Measure

Great measuring tape

I live in an old house that needs constant maintenance so a tape measure is important to own I have owned dozens over the years and yes, they all measure length, but this item was different. It had all the normal features like clear markings but the unique thing was it had markings on both sides which is taken for granted but actual a very useful feature. When you measure something with a normal one-sided tape you have a chance the markings will be upside down, not a big deal but this tape measure eliminates that by having markings on both sides. The tape itself is very well made, heavy so it will stay where you lay it, has a positive lock and includes a built-in pencil sharpener. The belt clip even has a tab to help open the clip for easy on/off. I highly recommend this item.

Numbers on both sides!

My favorite tape measure. I’m self taught and measuring has nvr been my thing. I kept trying to explain to anyone who would listen that I needed numbers on both sides As I’m learning the tape measure. My brother-in-law found this and I’ve definitely learned a lot. I love this tape measure. I’ve already bought three. They are a little cheaply made but the 1st one lasted over a year. Which is why it’s priced right. It also has a pencil sharpener and a spot on the tape measure where you can write your measurements. I have some paint on mine 🤨

RobertB

July 6, 2026

A truly excellent tape measure

Been using these tape measures for 15 years. The reverse is great. Read from either side. I'd like to get the flat-back for the occasional need to measure a curved surface.

Muy bien para trabajar

Excelente

Almost perfect, hook struggles to grab workpiece farther than ~30 inches?

It’s *almost* perfect for the price… I particularly love that both sides of the tape are marked in imperial with fractions down to the 16th.

I’m giving three of five stars for one reason: it seems that the hook pops off way too easily. Once the tape measure is extended out somewhere around 2 feet or more.

I can’t find my other tape big box store tape measures right now, but from those and others that I’ve used over the years in general, it just seems like it’s harder to keep the hook in place with this one, but maybe it’s just user error or unreasonable expectations?

Once I find my other tape measure measures I’ll try those and update the review if there’s any changes to my conclusion.

I think it’s a perfectly fine tape measure for small work, but not something I have enjoyed using for longer measurements for things like shelves or table tops, or marking /measuring sheet goods or lengths on dimensional lumber.

2:48

Will

February 18, 2026

Can never have enough tape measures. I recommend to anyone.

Whenever I need a few extra dollars for an oversized light delivery, I throw one of these in. Can never have too many. For it's size and price the extension is good. Maybe 8 ft. My only complaint is I always seem to grab it in the wrong orientation. 😂 the sharpener is a nice touch that it doesn't even need to have. Ive used for a few years and havent had one break yet. The lock feather is just fine.

0:15

Good product for this price range.

Good sturdy material, the tape material is little thin, but overall good for the price.

The only thing which caught my eyes was the 1 inch. Start of the tale is almost covered by the pull tab. Apart from that everything is good.

This is a good tape measure

I love this tape measure. This makes the 4th that I've bought. I really like the point it puts on a pencil with built in pencil sharpener. I don't need a longer tape measure. I do smaller projects

Initial Impressions: Quality Item

Have had possession of this item for right at one month. Spring mechanism is strong. Belt latch mechanism is strong and has a push tab to aid in attaching and releasing from your belt. The thumb latch is a bit stiff, but I assume it will slide easier with more use. This tape also has a pinching mechanism on the bottom that allows tape to be held in extended position, and then released, by a single finger. Very convenient. Tape feels like it has a fairly heavy protective coating (Teflon?). Tape slides in and out easily. I bought this particular tape for woodworking. I like that it is readable from left or right, and markings are denoted down to a sixteenth. From a flat level surface, 57” above floor, I was able to extend tape to an unsupported length of 91”. Did not get to 92” before tape “broke”. Adequate for my needs. I will not attempt to speak to measuring accuracy, as I would only be making a comparison to one of my many other tapes. The one minor complaint I have is in the notation of the markings at each foot. Those markings do not stand out. But for woodworking this will be fine. For other needs, where I want to read feet, I may go to another tape measure. If any issues with durability, I will try to provide updates.

0:14

Very useful

Saw this on a DIY video and found it. It’s very accurate and the numbers are so easy to read.

A lot to like until this happens.

I really like this, but the metal tape is thinner than what I think is standard out there on the market. I think that's why it broke on me like this. I would encourage people to still buy it, but I'm disappointed in its lack of durability.

Great woodworking tape measure.

I bought this tape measure on the recommendation from "the woodsmith store" and a few others. I have to say I really like this product. I like the different features like being able to write with pencil on the tape and white circle on the side. When your done writing on the tape the pencil comes completely off. All my other tape measures the pencil marks were hard to see if they showed up at all. The tape extends smooth and returns well. The bottom brake works well and so does the top thumb stop. The belt clip is a nice design. It uses a thumb clip instead of the normal belt clip. It's way easier to to use this tape measure then all the others that I have used in woodworking. I love it so far. I totally recommend this product. I am definitely getting the flat one next.

Quality

The quality of the tape measure feels excellent. I find the markings to be much easier to read and make accurate markings than other tape measures I've used, particularly when I'm not wearing glasses. For occasional use around the house you can probably get by with just about any tape measure, but this is excellent for more regular use where accuracy matters.

Michael

October 5, 2024

Super easy to read, I love it

Feels just like any other quality tape measure, but is also super smooth, accurate (see pics) and very easy to read. All this at a low price! Definitely my favorite tape measure

This really is a better designed tape measure

I like this tape a ton. I don't use the little note pad on the face of the tape. I prefer to cut twice... Seriously, I love the belt clip because it has a thumb lever that I can use to open the clip to slide onto my jeans pocket. It still clips tightly, but is easy to clip onto my jeans with only one hand. The other thing I like about this tape is that the scale lists the number of 16th's, 8th's and quarters - on both sides of the tape! First, you're right, I don't have much of a life... Second, that may not sound like much of a big deal but when I'm getting tired at the end of the day it really helps me to mark the correct measurements. I wouldn't have thought much of that in my 20's, but I'm in my fifties now and it means a lot to me.

Alan

July 7, 2024

You won’t use any other one but this

I love how smooth it operates. The absolute best feature which will save you time and keep you from making mistakes is that the numbers are in both directions. This really helps when you can’t get to the other side of the material or already have the piece setup on your saw. Trust me this will be your favorite tape measure

Lefty Right is the way to go!

This measuring tape has become my favorite. Love the detailed marking on both sides of the tape the most.

Looks old other fast features too.

We'll build and very durable.

1:18

Fácil de usar la recomiendo

0:10

Good, accurate, but needs some improvements.

Bought this tape measure because I wanted something easy to read from both left to right. I checked its accuracy against the #1 leading brand used by most carpenters and its within a tolerance of +/- of 1/64" which is the same as the others. All tape measures can vary because of mass production and movement at end. If you want dead on accuracy then you shouldn't be using a tape measure anyway. As far as durability, I've dropped it probably a dozen times now and it's still functioning. However, the belt clip easily broke when I caught it on something. Reason being, is the top of the clip protrudes up, designed to use your thumb to open it for ease of clipping it on your belt. This feature needs improvement or just use a traditional clip like all the rest. I'll be contacting them about that. Lastly, I found the built-in pencil sharpener to be redundant and limited because of the various types and sizes of pencils carpenters/woodworkers use. Their website offers more models to choose from. In short, it's a good unit and I highly recommend it if you'd like a left/right easy read retractable tape measure.

Bert

January 30, 2024

Impressive quality

It looks like a kid's toy, but the quality of the tape and the retraction is top-notch.

1:33

Ross D. Martin MD

July 11, 2023

Quick, clear, easy to clip — and you can write on it!

This is simply a brilliant tape measure. I love it. It includes easy to read markings down to the 16th inch, so I don’t have to count and guess if I got it right. It retracts quickly and smoothly.

I love that you can lock it in two different ways – a quick lock for temporary holds and a sliding lock that holds it in place.

But most of all, I love that you can write on it! It even has a pencil sharpener built-in (which I don’t really use because I use mechanical pencils)

The one thing I’d like to see in it is some thing I have another measure Where it shows what 1/2 of the measurement is along the tape measure. I’m always making mistakes in dividing fractions. This makes it easy. I wish it were on this tape measure. Otherwise, this is the one I use all the time.

Sunny

May 19, 2023

Couldn’t be happier!

This is by far the single most impressive tape measure I’ve ever owned, and I’ve owned so many!

Not to mention the value!

I’m a small framed person that builds a lot and has many building hobbies. This blows away all other big box, name brand, heavy, clunky, awkward tape measures out there.

Seamless, smooth, accurate, easy gliding, simple, lightweight and perfect for smaller hands.

Would never be without this one.

Might order a backup just in case I misplace this one for a day.

0:08

My new go-to tape measure

Very accurate when compared to a machinist ruler. I especially appreciate the lefty/right marks. Nice little temporary hold button on the bottom side for taking quick measures. This thing beats out my other much more expensive tape measures in terms of convenience and value. Only regret is not picking up the std/metric combo pack.

Disappointed

This was the first Fastcap tape measure I had ever purchased. Everything I had seen showed these were quality tape measures at a great price. After purchasing the lefty/righty and using it a couple times, I ordered the story pole due to how much I liked the lefty/righty.

Last weekend, I spent time readjusting and tuning my table saw using the lefty/righty and a crescent tape that’s my normal go-to tape measure. For some reason I couldn’t figure out why the scale on my table saw kept showing off by a 1/16th. Come to find out, the lefty/righty is set wrong. Hooking onto something is the measurement that should be shown when pushing against something. The story pole matched every other tape measure I have so it was my mistake for not initially checking the lefty/righty as soon as I got it.

They basically told me it looked right from what they could tell. I tried to assure them it’s off, and I was hoping they could make it right and that’s the last I’ve heard from them.

Manufacturing mistakes happen, and I would still consider purchasing from them, and I absolutely liked the lefty/righty and wanted to purchase a couple more to have around as they’re light weight, easy for me to read, and overall good quality. But when the company won’t stand behind their error, that’s kind of irritating.

Uwood2

April 23, 2023

Do you struggle with reading a tape measure? Takes all the guess work away

This is NOT sponsored in any way but this is the fastest tape measure! You can call it a cheater if you want, but, I don't have to count hash marks anymore! I can read a tape measure but this is BAM! ~fast.. and all measurements are listed down to the 16th (red numbers). Plus its on both sides for lefty or righty.

MadMaxwell

September 19, 2021

Easy to read and very accurate

This measuring tape is amazing! I can’t believe I waited this long to get one. It is easy to read right down to the 16th of an inch. That means you can accurately gauge up to a 32nd of an inch. Which is, interestingly, around 25% more finite than the millimeter. It is so much easier to read this measuring tape than any other standby measuring tape I’ve used in the past. Dead on accurate as noted in the photo with my Swanson ruler. Overall, very pleased with my purchase and would highly recommend this to anyone.

LOVE this tape…except for one thing

Pros: One of the best tape measures I’ve purchased in a very long time. It’s great to finally be able to read a tape right-side-up. The measurements are clearly numbered down to a 1/16th of an inch. The recoil spring is also very strong and the tape is stiff when extended. Erasable “notepad” is a nice touch that I surprisingly use quite often.

CON: the only negative thing about this device is the clip (see photo). It barely holds on to your belt or waist and constantly is falling out. I’m surprised with all the times it’s dropped on me it hasn’t broken (kudos to durability!) The Clip needs to be much sturdier and “springy” and perhaps have a bit of rubber on the end to help keep in place. Would have given it a 5 star if not for this flaw.

markings are nice

I ended up purchasing two new tapes to compliment my 10+ yr. Old Craftsman 20' tape measure for use in the shop. The FastCap Lefty Righty and Tajima 16ft models. Both have a 7/8” thick blade (which is wider than the Craftsman) that can stand out 8'. Both models are white with black lines (except the 1/16 marks on the FastCap are red. While I like the FastCap markings, the accuracy of the Tajima as checked on a Starrett 36” steel rule is spot on even to the 1/32” marks unlike the FastCap that drifted nearly 1/16” by the 24” mark (it did however begin to correct the further out I went but never got “back on the mark”. Both tapes make it difficult to catch the hook on a board as they have a bumper that prevents the catch from protruding past the end of the tape. The spring in both tapes is more than ample to retract back into the case. Both also have a rubber shock resistant case.

If I want to be able to transfer measurements from tape to steel rule, or having multiple people relying on measurements then the Tajima is the clear winner. It is the most accurate tape in my shop, the runner up being my 25' Stanley Powerlock which only drifted about 1/128” back and forth (I only use the Powerlock for construction due to its size). I really like the large print as my eyes aren't what they used to be 20 years ago. The tape is also just as accurate with the tab pressed against a wall.

For quickly blanking out my stock, or if I am alone in the shop, the FastCap is good to use. It comes in handy on the miter saw and the lefty/righty part allows me to take measurements from either end and still read the numbers face up. It is also kind of nice to not have to remember if the small line was the 9/16th line or the 11/16th line. The FastCap also has a little lever on the bottom that stops the tape from retracting, but I am so used to using my index finger against the tape housing I find I don't ever use it. I'm afraid the same goes for the pencil sharpener. It's quicker for me to just whip out the pocket knife and sharpen my tip than remember a sharpener is built into the tape measure.

Great Tape; buy two

I was super excited for this tape for woodworking. If I’m in a hurry with my Stanley tape measure while reading Tape upside down, I’ve made a mark for a cut and cut items 1” too short. I’ve done this more than I’d like to admit... With this tape, I will (hopefully) never do this again. The bonus, which I didn’t realize when I made the purchase, it actually has a pencil sharpener built in. I use a mechanical pencil, but that’s a cool add. Similarly, there’s a button on the bottom of the tape that will stop it from retracting (as long as you hold it down) without using the “permanent” button on the front. As soon as you pull your finger off, it will retract; Great addition! The tape feels super smooth and feels like it’s very high quality. Time will tell, and I will update my review if things change.

Nice! Reads well from both sides!

NO MORE MISTAKES. Have you ever read a tape upside down and wrote 5/8 instead of 3/8? Can't do that with this tape. I'm not quite ecstatic about the markings; stud locations are very well marked at 16" intervals, however FOOT markings are small and not well differentiated from the other markings.

So far, other reviewers were dissatisfied by the durability. I find the mechanism works well, retracts easily and locks securely. So, there's a pencil sharpener- HA, doesn't fit a carpenter's pencil. What were they thinking?

A question was asked about the width of the case, here's a photo with approximate dimensions (+/- 1/32). Odd shape gives different readings, see detail.

Overall, Positive! I really appreciate the lefty righty scale, but would prefer 1/16 in marks for the first 6 inches or so and better indications for feet. Price is excellent if it holds up for a while.