This post was originally posted in June 2017 and updated in April 2021. After using this neat little Dewalt tape measure for nearly 4 years, an updated was sorely needed.
If you’re on a mobile device, here’s a quick <60 second video where I (perhaps too enthusiastically) go over its benefits. And if you’re on a desktop device, I’m sorry about the vertical format – YouTube requires this for “shorts.”
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In this post, I’m reviewing the Dewalt Pocket Tape Measure, DWHT33028 a 9-foot tape measure that manages to be compact, handy, and inexpensive.
Best Price: $5.97 via Home Depot w/ Free Shipping
This miniature Dewalt tape measure features a metal pocket clip, lanyard loops, and a magnetic back.
At the time of this updated post, the price is $6 with free shipping at Home Depot. It’s unclear as to how long the no-minimum free shipping on this item will last.
The Pocket Tape is larger than the Milwaukee and Stanley keychain tape measures Ben reviewed, but also feels more durable. The extra 3 feet of blade length (50%) adds to its convenience and capabilities. Despite being larger than typical keychain-sized 6′ tape measures, this Dewalt 9′ Pocket Tape is still extremely compact.
The magnet on the back is small, but strong enough to keep it from sliding down painted or coated steel surfaces.
The blade measures 1/2″ wide and is coated with Tylon for durability. (Tylon is a brand name for a variety of nylon and nylon-based materials.) The markings are clear and easily readable.
The hook is small, but proportionally so. It could be larger, but I don’t think that would accomplish anything but to make the tape clumsier to use.
The Dewalt Pocket Tape Measure clips inside my pocket or onto my belt, but it can usually be found magnetically mounted to a wall cabinet at eye level. It have not yet utilized the lanyard loop, and probably never will.
When the Dewalt 9′ tape measure first came out, I predicted I’d buy a couple more the first time I see them in stores. I did buy one more, and I also keep it in the garage. Sometimes I’ll move the second to a piece of equipment, but I make it a point to always replace my primary to its eye-level spot on my wall cabinet so that I can easily find it the next time.
I of course also use 16′ and 25′ tape measures, and this tape is no substitute when I need a longer or stouter tape measure. In a workshop setting, almost all larger-sized tape measures are interchangeable if you stick with a good brand. And, most larger-sized tape measures are also too easy for me to put down and misplace somewhere.
Larger tapes can be cumbersome to clip to my belt when I’m working on a project. So, what usually happens is I’ll put a larger tape measure down, and then have a hard time finding it the next time I need it. This doesn’t happen with my Dewalt 9′ tape.
This tape measure doesn’t have record-breaking standout (I get ~3 feet repeatable), it probably won’t survive a drop from 50 feet, and it doesn’t have a super strong double-action spring return. But it’s convenience, and that’s what’s important.
You know what? We couldn’t find the household-use tape measure the other day – it wasn’t in the kitchen tool cabinet where it was supposed to be. Home Depot has these for $6 with FREE shipping (as of the time of this posting), and so, I just ordered one more. Once it arrives, the new tape measure will have a home on the refrigerator door.
Price: $6
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Thank you to Dewalt for providing the test sample unconditionally. Additional samples were purchased at retail.
pete
Looks great, i’ll be picking one up for sure.
Travis Collins
I’ve been waiting for these to become available. Look like the most useful tape measure in its size to date from any manufacturer.
I love magnets!
Bolt
Looks good and useful. I always liked the idea of a 6′ tape but in practice I always found that the things i needed to measure were longer than that.
RC WARD
Ah that extra 3 feet is the bomb.
Chris
I have a couple of Lee Valley 10′ cabinetmaker’s tapes. They’re incredibly handy (though they don’t have a magnet) and are available for both left-handers and rightys
Nathan
OK so I’d like to see a size comparison pic between this, somebody’s 12 – some bodies useful 6 (emphasis on the useful as I have a 6 that I think is the size of a half dollar) and one of those cabinet maker things.
Just to show where the tradeoff’s took place. I Think they might have gotten to the sweet spot of portability – usability. After a few checks in my hand (I assume HD, LOWES will have them) – I can see putting on in each car’s bag – and I can see putting one on one of my metal boxes so it’s always there if I take that box somewhere.
better than nothing. Yes a 12 ft will stay in the kitchen smurfall drawer
Tomas
I like those Komelion self lock tape measures. They don’t roll back until you press the release (the opposite of most tape measures. They make a 16′ one that’s my go to.
Fm2176
It’s available in Home Depot stores now. Picked one up this morning. Seems pretty good for the money.
mosh
I picked one up today in Home Depot I love the magnet it holds to my key clip so I don’t have to use the clip time Saver
ACC
Worth noting the body measures 2″, so easy end to end math. Seems as light and compact as it could be. I think the Stanley Powerlock 12′ is the best tape out there. It has a 3/4″ blade and is so compact. This 9′ DeWalt is proportionately smaller and much lighter. Useful standout on the DeWalt is about 33″. For the 12′ Stanley it’s about 53″. If Dewalt made this in a 12′ with a 5/8″ or 3/4″ blade it would be tops.
FYI I consider useful standout, to be the point where you can reliably reach with the expectation that the blade won’t collapse.
Wayne R.
I picked up a “Starrett” metric tape, 3.5m. The name’s in quotes because it’s Chinese and was cheap…and its body is marked 2.5″ but it’s actually 2.625″.
Mike boney
I’m a woodworker and have used many tapes through the years. This tape is absolutely perfect! Just the right length and size for production woodworking. My only complaint is that the clip is too wide and it falls off of your pocket. So you just have to take it off and bend it in a bit so it clamps instead of just hangs. The magnet is nice but it is always getting stuck to what I’m working next to ie saws, forklifts, metal tables. Other than that I love it
Allen Secord
I totally agree with Mike boney. The clip is too wide and the tape measure falls off my pocket. Also, I find the magnetic feature is annoying. I thiught it would be an asset, but I was wrong. I cant place it just anywhere without the magnet attracting things that I don’t want magnetized. I’m also concerned about the magnetic affect on electronic equipment, i.e. cell phone, e-book, etc. Overall, I like the tape measure, however, I would like to remove the magnet. The only suitable location I have found to place the magnet is on the refrigerator or perhaps a car fender. There is no suitable place inside my car to hang the tape measure; there is little if any exposed metal. I’m reluctant to remove the screw holding the magnet for fear of affecting the retracting mechanism inside the tape measure. I would like to know if removing the screw holding the magnet is a problem.
Mike Boney
I have done it successfully, but you do need to be careful. It can unwind and pop open. I put it in a vice when I do it. Take the clip off too and bend it in a bit so it will actually stay clipped to your pocket or bag. A pain but after you do that it’s a great small tape. It’s nice and compact without too much plastic or rubber over molding bulking it up.
Drew M
No metric like the Milwaukee? FAIL.
I REALLY wish Milwaukee would make versions of their bigger tape measures with english and metric like their little pocket size one.
Tim E.
They do, they’re just not stocked (at least by me) in home depot or similar. But I’ve been able to get them from Acme and other online retailers before, look for tapes listed like “15’/5m”.
Drew M
From photos, it seems the other pocket tape (3m/10ft) from Milwaukee is the only other one with metric markings.
All the others with meter lengths in the description don’t appear to have metric marks.
John
Now I’ll have to find a magnetic belt buckle!
Chris S
I have this Dewalt and I think it’s perfect for stuff in the garage. It pairs nicely with the mini Milwaukee tape measure because Milwaukee has metric. Dewalt could add metric and literally get rid of any need for the Milwaukee.
Let’s be real though…Dewalt will “upgrade” this one with a new label claiming 6′ of “reach” and call it a day.
Plain grainy
Maybe this will help me. I cannot keep track of tape measures, they tend to disappear into thin air. I need a glove that has a 25’ tape measure affixed to the back of the hand.
Frank D
It looks like it could be handy, but I am going to guess that it is not a universal tape?
More of the same old same old with American mainstream brands and all the other tape measures in big box stores. I have at one time looked at every single tape sold in the big box stores. Not a single one out of several dozen has dual scales.
I have a set of dual scale compact tapes around the house ( no magnet ) now those are handy. If these were dual, I would pickup a few to put in tool boxes, stick to saw stands, …
Stuart
Try this one for a universal tape: https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-10ft-keychain-tape-measure-with-led-flashlight/
William Adams
A vintage Lufkin 1/2″ wide 12′ tape was one of my father’s favourites — I was very sad when I couldn’t easily source a replacement, but fortunately, making do w/ a 10′ tape didn’t diminish the utility for my usage.
The mis-labeling bothered me enough that I just sourced a N.O.S. 10′ version though.
Clay
I bought one of these for my wife and ended up coveting it.
Kinda like how I bought some Dewalt 12v stuff for the wife and kids to use since they are so light and comfortable and now they are my go-to’s for anything small.
candrews
Same here. I bought my wife a 12v DeWalt screwdriver, and it kept winding up in my workshop.
I bought a new one when I went to grab my wife’s and she shot lasers out of her eyes.
Jared
Your enthusiasm in the video for the magnet made me laugh. 😁 I liked the video. It is nice to watch a youtube video showing off a tool that isn’t 10 minutes long for no appreciable reason (youtube’s algorithm favors longer videos and I think that’s encouraged many reviewers to waste screen time).
I didn’t know this Dewalt tape existed – I might search one out. I have the Stanley 6′ on my keychain and it is very handy.
Stuart
Sorry/I’m glad!
I’m trying to find my “voice” for videos, and it’s been interesting and hard. Interesting because I’ve been thinking about who and what I like to watch, hard because it always takes me multiple takes and I’m still never happy with the results.
I don’t care about specs in a video – that’s what descriptions, blog posts, and product pages are for. Problem is, I focus my written content on information rather than opinions, but in videos I find I want to learn and be entertained, which is hard to do with dry features and specs.
YouTube does favor longer watch time. That’s why so many presenters spend 5 minutes talking about unrelated things before they get to the point. Sometimes I like it, but when it’s not done well I skip ahead or find a different video.
Nathan
I currently have 3 of them. well OK my daughter seems to have hidden one, and I have one in the truck tool box and I have one in my electrical tool kit. (I made a go box of common electrical work for the house – it’s where I keep my meter, certain pliers, some wire, solider kit, etc)
candrews
Not for nothing, but the 3 pack at Amazon works out to $5.85 per unit.
I tend to leave these guys all around the place, so multiples is best.
https://www.amazon.com/Dewalt-DWHT33028M-Magnetic-Pocket-Measure/dp/B07X31163G/ref=sr_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=DWHT33028&qid=1619103800&sr=8-15
Robert
This will work great for around the house.
Thanks Stuart.
Corey Moore
My only gripe is that these are so convenient, I’ve easily left 3-4 around various sites with the magnet lol Always buy another, love em. Fun fact, if you wear a Lyft half brim hard hat, it’s clip actually shapes perfectly to securely snap onto it without sliding off. Like they’re made for each other.
Mike C.
Hands down my favorite daily use tape. I make architectural signage and this goes with me everywhere. Sure we have to break out bigger tapes for installs etc. but for most of my fabrication needs this thing is perfect. I wish the clip was standard top down though, then it would be easy to pull the tape out while still clipped to my belt or pocket.
Daniel L.
Yup! This is my primary tape measure. As an HVAC startup tech, I really don’t have any need for a full-sized tape.
My only wish is that this thing had both metric and imperial scales like milwaukee does.
fred
I bought 4 of them as stocking stuffers for 2019 @$4.99 each. They now cost $3.68 at ToolUp – but you’ll have to bundle $195.32 more with them to get free shipping.
BTW – they have a pass through slot at the end opposite the hook – for use with a lanyard.
Peter Fox
My personal favorite small tape measure is a Komelon 12ft/3.5M https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CFJB08 very high quality and the perfect size for average work.
I also keep a 10 ft in my pocket https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQW32Q I like the round body as it does not poke me. I do not miss having a lock as most of the time it is used for quick measurements. I think this is a good replacement for the older lufkin pocket tape measures. I just wish they offered this style with a inch/metric blade.
MoogleMan3
I have a few of the first one you linked to; the fact that it has both english and metric units is very helpful.
I also have several of the fractional read version of that same tape. That’s my favorite tape measure shape. It feels very well built and I love that the blades are wider.
John
I love them. I have three now and have owned up to 6 (my dad also loves them…). I do wish the stop was a little more secure though. I find it wears quickly.
MoogleMan3
I have a couple of these and I’m not a huge fan of them. My favorite compact tape is the komelon 12′ fractional read.
https://www.amazon.com/Komelon-SM3912-Acrylic-Measure-12-Inch/dp/B008AGWN5G
Wider blade so it deflects less, and I love the fractional read. Very well built too. Only a bit bigger. If you order from Zoro, you can get them for about $5 each.
mikedt
I have a 6′ pocket milwaukee tape and while the extra 3′ of this tape might prove useful I wouldn’t want to give up the metric scale included on the milwaukee tape.
Matt
I’ve bought probably a dozen of these over the last couple years and love them! They’re the Craftsman ones not Dewalt but are the same 9ft ones and are identical that I can tell. The Craftsman ones have a small bottle opener on them instead of a belt hook though. I put a key chain ring & hook on one hooked to that bottle end for carrying around. They’re small enough to just toss in a shirt pocket too. I think my wife put a couple on our refrigerator, in her little shop and I know one is on her nightstand by the bed just for herself she liked them so much. They’re just so darn handy! I think they’re 6 bucks at lowe’s too but at Christmas they’re a bit cheaper.
Boyd
Single unit measurement on a tape.
That’s a nope from me.
I’m an immigrant to the US from the UK and even I think it’s time we gave up imperial units.
Matt
Agreed on all points, particularly the magnet. But overall it’s just a great little tape. About a year ago I went overboard and bought 4 of these and another 4 of the little 6.5′ Milwaukee tapes and put them everywhere…desk drawers, glove boxes, wife’s purse, side of the dryer in our laundry room, equipment shed, you name it. That’s $30 I never regretted spending.