Lance field guide · Workbench orientation

Put zero where your work starts.

Choose units, calibrated edge, reading direction and length from your actual working position. “Right-to-left” describes increasing numbers—not which hand you use.

1. Stand or sit where you will read the rule. Keep the printed face upright. Identify the edge that must touch the work or align with its baseline.
2. Choose top or bottom calibration. In the diagrams, top and bottom refer to the upright printed face as you see it. Rotating a rule can also turn its numbers upside down; it does not substitute for every orientation.
3. Locate zero. Left-to-right increases from the left. Right-to-left increases from the right. Choose the direction your operation needs, then check that it matches your workpiece datum.
4. Choose units and a supported length. Match the drawing or process specification. Support the working span and confirm the exact selected size before ordering.

The diagrams below show reading direction and calibrated-edge position only. They are not product photographs, full graduations, a scale drawing or a mounting template. No adhesive backing, fasteners or cutting-blade protection is implied.

Need inches and centimeters on one rule?

The combined black English/metric rule has metric calibration on the top edge and inch calibration on the bottom, both reading left-to-right. It is a separate configuration—not all eight orientation choices in a single tool.

Each link above opens a currently available size and its current price. Check the selected size, full dimensions, stock and shipping on that product page; a family image may show a different length.