Even a digital caliper — which takes most of the guesswork out of reading the measured value — still requires skill to correctly apply it to the measured dimension.
We are all familiar with the versatility of calipers—vernier, dial, or digital. On the shop floor, in the inspection room, or even now for the home hobbyist, the caliper is a fast and easy-to-use tool to make basic length measurements.
But while the caliper is a versatile tool, it is not one of the most precise. Skill is required for positioning and interpreting measurement results. As the user develops a “feel” for the tool, measurement results become more consistent.