Vernier Caliper vs. Micrometer

Main Difference

Both, Vernier Caliper and Micrometer Screw Gauge are the measuring equipment used for multi purposes. The difference comes in their efficiency and usage. Actually they are the superior measuring equipment than the commonly used meter rule as they can measure the small distances even than 1mm, which is the last count of the meter rule. When it is about differentiating it between vernier caliper and micrometer screw gauge based on their structures, one can easily distinguish between them as Vernier caliper is a gun-like equipment, whereas micrometer is an axe-like equipment. Vernier caliper, which consists up of two scales, main scale and vernier scale has a least count of 0.1 mm, whereas micrometer screw gauge in which the object measurements are taken by placing it between the spindle and anvil, has the last count of 0.01 mm.

Difference Between Vernier Caliper and Micrometer

Comparison Chart

What is Vernier Caliper?

Vernier Caliper is an measuring instrument, which consists of main scale and vernier scale, it has a least count of 0.1 mm. It has a gun-like structure and is used to measure the internal and external dimensions of objects extremely accurately. It is mostly preferred over other measuring instruments as it has special kind of jaws designed that can hold the object inward or outward and cane take the exact measurement of the object. Before taking the measurement with vernier caliper, the vernier scale zero and main scale zero should be exactly in front of each other. If the zeros of both the scales are not placed appropriately before the reading it may lead to the zero error in the measurement. Zero error can be of two types, positive zero error and negative zero error, if the vernier scale is to the left of the main scale than it is negative zero error and when the vernier sale is on the right side of the main scale than it is the positive zero error. The zero error can be eliminated by adding or subtracting the differences from actual measurement.

What is Micrometer?

The micrometer known as micrometer screw gauge is an instrument that is generally used for measuring the external measurement or diameter of an object. It is an axe-like device that have the least count 0.01 mm. As the word screw gauge hints about its mechanism, the object to be measured is placed it between the spindle and anvil and then the measurement is being taken. It is sometimes preferred over vernier caliper as it can take the minimum measurement of 0.01 mm, whereas vernier caliper can measure as least as 0.1 mm. Although, the most common types of micrometer screw gauge lacks the appropriate structure for taking the inner measurements of the object.