In science and engineering, a dimensional gauge or simply gauge is a device used to make measurements or to display certain dimensional information. A wide variety of tools exist which serve such functions, ranging from simple pieces of material against which sizes can be measured to complex pieces of machinery. Dimensional properties include thickness, gap in space, diameter of materials.

Basic types

All gauges can be divided into four main types, independent of their actual use. The two basic types with an analogue display are usually easier for the human eyes and brain to interpret, especially if many instrument meters must be read simultaneously. An indicator or needle indicates the measurement on the gauge. The other two types are only displaying digits, which are more complex for humans to read and interpret. The ultimate example is cockpit instrumentation in aircraft. The flight instruments cannot display figures only, hence even in the most modern "glass-cockpits" where almost all instruments are displayed at screens, few figures are visible. Instead the screens display analogue meters.

Types

Various types of dimensional gauges include: