Rule of Thumb - Three Steps to Estimate Objects.

In this instructable I will be showing you how to estimate the height of big objects.

What you need to know:

Be precise with measurements that you can make.

Artists use this technique to draw objects proportionally.

You can do this using the metric system (centimeters & meters) or using imperial (inches & feet.)

• Pencil
• Paper
• Tape measure
• Calculator

Get measurements of all values needed. 

Distance (your eye to your thumb) = A

Height (height of your thumb) = B

Distance between you and the object you're measuring = C

The number of thumbs used to cover the object fully = t

The estimated height of the object = D

Some helpful hints:

• Don’t stretch your arm, measure it when its relaxed and comfortable.
• Be more precise for the eyes and thumb calculations.
• The distance between you and the object can be paced out if it cannot be measured.

Replace letters in equation with measurements.

C x ( B/A ) x t = D

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you can't entirely cover the large object with your thumb, you can a) move backwards or forwards till you can cover it fully or b) see how many thumbs it takes to cover it fully, then times it by that number (that's what t is in the equation).

Use a calculator to calculate the answer.