When manually measuring the product level in a tank, the gauge stick must measure to the nearest which distance?

• A. One-sixteenth of an inch
• B. One-quarter of an inch
• C. One-eighth of an inch
• D. One-half of an inch

Answer: (C)

Reading a tank’s product level with a gauge stick is done to the nearest one-eighth of an inch. The stick’s graduations are in eighth-inch increments, providing a practical balance between precision and readability in the field. Reading to smaller fractions would be hard to reproduce consistently due to visual estimation and parallax, while larger steps would miss important changes in level that affect inventory and custody transfers. When you take the reading, insert the stick until it touches the liquid, remove and wipe it, then read at eye level, noting the point where the liquid line meets the stick and accounting for the meniscus if needed.