A tape measure is an essential tool in any toolbox, whether you're sizing up for new furniture or embarking on a DIY project. However, have you ever noticed that the end of your measuring tape seems a bit loose and feared it might be damaged? You're not alone in this. It turns out there's a crucial reason why all steel measuring tapes have a slightly movable metal tip.

A DIY expert recently took to TikTok to shed light on this feature, much to the surprise of many DIY enthusiasts. Sharing on Tool Talk TV's social media page, the expert advised viewers to discard their measuring tapes if the metal end doesn't move. He explained: "All the ends on the end of the blade of these tape measures move. This is by design. So whether you're measuring against something, or measuring away from something, that small movement in the tip allows you to get true zero."

Without this smart design element, he warned, you will "never be able to get a true zero when measuring,".

This revelation was news to many. Responding in the comments section, one person expressed gratitude, saying: "Thank you for that information (genuinely). I didn't know that till now."