There are two types of jaws, the upper and lower jaws which are used to measure inside

and
outside dimensions respectively. One of these jaws is moving while the other is fixed. The fixed
jaw is connected to the main scale of the caliper while the moving jaw is connected to the
Vernier scale.
The Main body or frame of the Vernier caliper contains a large scale that runs down its length.
This scale is known as the main scale and is graduated in centimetres. The smallest value or the
least count of the main scale is 1 millimetre. The vernier scale is smaller than the main scale and
also contains up to 50 graduations. The vernier scale graduations are used to further divide the
least measurement of the main scale i.e if 50 divisions are present the value of 1mm can be
further divided into 50 parts.
The Vernier scale uses the basic principle of alignment of line segments to improve the accuracy
of the readings. When a certain graduation on the vernier scale aligns with a graduation on the
main scale. The value of the vernier scale reading is added to the main scale reading to obtain the
decimal value of the reading in millimetres.
This is made possible by the difference in the spacing between the graduations on both the scale.
The main scale is graduated like a normal meter rule with each mark at a distance of 1 mm.
However the vernier scale has different distance between the graduations. This spacing is
normally of 0.9 mm. In this way if the zero markings on the vernier scale is aligned with the zero
on the main scale, then the first mark on the vernier scale will be 0.1 mm before the first mark on
the main scale.
Similarly the second mark will be 0.1*2 = 0.2 mm short of the corresponding mark on the main
scale. This will carry on for the subsequent marks with the third mark 0.3 mm before, the fourth
0.4mm till the 10 mark on the vernier scale which will be exactly 1 mm behind the 10 mark on
th th

the main scale.

Let us now imagine that we are measuring an object 8.7 mm in length. The jaws will be opened
that length and the vernier scale will slide forward on the main scale. The zero mark of the
Vernier scale will slide a total of 8.7 mm and will end up somewhere between the 8 and 9 mm
marks on the vernier scale. In fact it will be ahead of the 8mm mark by 0.7 mm.
The next mark on the vernier scale which was previously behind the corresponding mark on the
main scale by 0.1 mm will now be 0.7-0.1= 0.6 mm ahead. Similarly the 2nd mark will be 0.7-
0.2= 0.5 mm ahead. However the 7 mark on the vernier scale which was behind its
th

corresponding mark by 0.7 mm will now move ahead and become perfectly aligned with that
mark on the main scale. Thus the value of the vernier scale will be 0.7mm and this will be added
to the main scale reading of 8 to give the reading of 8.7 mm.
This principle works because the alignment can be detected easily by the human eye and noted to
find the accurate measurement. So you can rest easy now that you have understood the mystery
behind the simple genius behind the working of the Vernier Caliper.