Dial Indicator: How to Read It, How to Use It and How to Choose One (Analog vs Digital)

October 28, 2026

Quick answer: a dial indicator shows how far a point moves, not how big a part is

What it is: a plunger (spindle) that moves straight in and out, geared to a needle on a dial. It measures variation from a reference point. MISUMI puts it simply: it "measures variation", not absolute size.
How to read it: read the small revolution counter first (whole revolutions), then add the large dial (the fraction). On most 0.01 mm dials, one revolution is 1 mm (Mitutoyo catalog), but check your model.
How to use it: hold it on a rigid stand, keep the spindle square to the surface, push the spindle in a little, turn the bezel to zero, then move the part and read the change.
How to choose: range (how far the spindle travels) and graduation (smallest step) first, then analog or digital, then back type and measuring force.

A dial indicator (also called a dial gauge) is one of the most used tools for machine setup, checking runout and checking whether a surface is flat or parallel. This guide explains the parts, how to read the dial, how to set it up and the mistakes that cause wrong readings, then compares the Mitutoyo dial and Digimatic (digital) indicators we stock, using the specifications on their product pages. Sources are listed at the end.

If you are deciding between a plunger dial indicator and a lever-type dial test indicator, see our separate guide: Dial Test Indicator vs Dial Indicator.

Parts of a dial indicator

Mitutoyo's "Check Points for Measuring Instruments" and catalog name these parts on a dial indicator:

Part	What it does
Contact point	The tip that touches the part. On many indicators it can be changed for special jobs (Fine Woodworking).
Spindle	The plunger that moves in and out. It is lightly spring-loaded so the tip follows the surface (Fine Woodworking).
Stem	The round shank used to clamp the indicator in a holder. ISO/JIS models use an 8 mm stem; ANSI/AGD models use a 3/8" stem (Mitutoyo catalog).
Pointer and graduation plate	The long needle and the dial face. The needle magnifies the spindle movement.
Revolution counter	The small needle that counts full turns of the long needle.
Bezel and bezel clamp	The outer ring turns to set zero; the clamp locks it (MISUMI).
Limit pointers	Movable tabs you set at your tolerance limits, so you can see at a glance if a part is in or out (MISUMI).
Back (lug or flat)	A lug back has an ear with a hole for mounting; a flat back does not (Mitutoyo lists both types).

How to read a dial indicator

Check the graduation. It is printed on the dial, for example 0.01 mm or 0.002 mm. That is the value of one small mark.
Read the revolution counter. MISUMI advises you to look at the small counter first. Each step is one full turn of the long needle.
Read the long needle. Count the marks from zero and multiply by the graduation.
Add them. Example on a 0.01 mm dial where one revolution is 1 mm: counter at 2, needle at 37 marks = 2 mm + 0.37 mm = 2.37 mm of movement from where you set zero.

How much one revolution is worth depends on the model. Mitutoyo's catalog lists 1 mm per revolution for most of its 0.01 mm models such as the 2044S (the compact 1040S is 0.5 mm per revolution), and 0.2 mm or less per revolution (for example 0.1 mm or 0.2 mm) for 0.001 mm models. Our product pages do not list the value per revolution (Not confirmed), so check the dial face of your own indicator.

Dial faces: continuous, balanced and reverse

Continuous: numbers run all the way round (0 to 100). Good for reading total movement (MISUMI).
Balanced: zero at the top and numbers going both ways (for example 0-50-0). MISUMI describes it as used for reading the difference from a reference surface, plus or minus.
Reverse reading: numbers run the other way, typically for depth or bore work (MISUMI).

Our product pages list the scale as "Scale specifications", for example 0-100-0 on the 1013A-10.

How to set up and use a dial indicator

Clean first. Wipe the contact point and the part. MISUMI notes that even a tiny piece of dust can affect a 0.001 mm reading.
Mount it on something rigid. Mitutoyo says to use a holding fixture that will not deflect significantly. MISUMI adds that a dial indicator is only as accurate as its mounting. Lock the magnetic base or stand before you read.
Clamp the stem or the lug. MISUMI gives a mounting hole tolerance of ø8G7 for stem mounting. Mitutoyo shows clamping the lug so the spindle is square to the measuring face.
Keep the spindle square to the surface. Mitutoyo and MISUMI both say to align the spindle with the direction you are measuring. If it is at an angle, the reading is wrong (cosine error).
Push the spindle in a little before zeroing. For Digimatic indicators, Mitutoyo says to retract the spindle at least 0.2 mm from the rest position before setting zero. Starting partly pushed in also lets a dial indicator show movement in both directions, high and low.
Set zero. Turn the bezel until zero sits under the needle, then lock the bezel clamp (MISUMI). On a digital indicator, press the zero button.
Do not snap or side-load the spindle. Mitutoyo warns against moving the spindle rapidly or pushing it sideways.
Check repeatability. MISUMI suggests touching the same surface five times and checking that the needle returns to the same place.

Common jobs

Runout: rest the tip on a turning shaft, chuck or disc and turn it slowly by hand. The total needle swing is the runout. Fine Woodworking uses this on drill press quills, chucks and shafts, and warns never to gauge cutting edges at operating speed: disconnect the machine and turn it by hand.
Flatness and parallelism: slide the part (or the stand) and watch the needle (MISUMI; MQS for flatness).
Machine setup and alignment: checking that machine parts are lined up before work (MQS, MISUMI). Fine Woodworking uses it to gauge jointer knife height, set a planer's bedrolls, outfeed roll and pressure bar, and measure table saw tooth height and set.
Height or thickness by comparison: zero on a reference part or gauge block on a comparator stand, then measure the difference on each part.

Mistakes that give wrong readings

A stand that flexes. Long arms and loose joints move. Use a rigid holder (Mitutoyo).
Spindle at an angle to the surface (cosine error, Mitutoyo and MISUMI).
Oil on the spindle. Mitutoyo says not to lubricate the spindle; clean it with a dry cloth or a cloth moistened with alcohol. MISUMI adds that oil attracts dust.
Reading the long needle only and missing a full revolution on the counter.
Damage from a drop or knock. Mitutoyo says that if the needle and revolution counter are clearly out of their normal position at the fully extended rest point, the spindle or the works may be damaged; send it for repair rather than opening it.
Using a standard indicator in oil mist or dust. Mitutoyo recommends the water and dust-proof type in oil mist or dust.

How to choose a dial indicator

Range. How far the spindle can travel. Runout and setup work rarely need much; height comparison and long travel need more. The models we stock run from 0-1 mm (1013A-10) to 0-100 mm (3062A-19).
Graduation. The smallest mark. On analog dial indicators, finer graduation usually means a shorter range: our 0.002 mm models have a 1 mm range, our 0.01 mm models go from 3.5 mm to 100 mm. Digimatic models are the exception: the ID-C0550NXB displays 0.0005 mm over 50.8 mm.
Analog or digital. An analog needle makes it easy to see a trend or the high and low points while turning a part. A Digimatic (digital) indicator shows a number and lets you switch the display step. Mitutoyo's checklist says a short "E" on the display while the spindle moves is normal; if it stays at rest, the unit needs repair.
Measuring force. Lower force for soft or thin parts. Our pages list from 0.5 N or less (ID-C1012CNXB) to 3.5 N or less (3062A-19).
Mounting position. Some Digimatic models list "all positions"; others list "downward to horizontal" (see the table). Mitutoyo's catalog notes that some dial series are for vertical use only, contact point downward.
Back and stem. Lug back for bolting to a holder; a flat back has no mounting ear. Check that your stand's hole matches the stem (8 mm on all models below).
Metric or inch. The models below are metric (mm). For reference, 12.7 mm is 0.5 in, 25.4 mm is 1 in and 50.8 mm is 2 in. Whether the Digimatic models can switch to inch display is Not confirmed on our pages.

Mitutoyo dial and Digimatic indicators we stock

All values come from the specification tables on our product pages. All of these pages list Japan as the country of origin.

MITUTOYO 1013A-10 Small dial gauge (with lug and back cover)

MITUTOYO 1013AB-10 Small dial gauge (flat back cover type)

Model	Type	Range (mm)	Graduation / display (mm)	Measuring force (N)	Notes
1013A-10	Dial, 40 mm face, lug back	0-1	0.002	1.5 or less	Scale 0-100-0, 95 g
1013AB-10	Dial, 40 mm face, flat back	0-1	0.002	1.5 or less	Scale 0-100-0, 75 g
1040A	Dial, 40 mm face, lug back	0-3.5	0.01	1.4 or less	Scale ±0-50, 90 g
2044A-60	Dial, 57 mm face, lug back	0-5	0.01	2.5 or less	Scale ±0-100, 132 g. Listed as water-resistant; IP rating Not confirmed
3062A-19	Dial, 78 mm face, long stroke, lug back	0-100	0.01	3.5 or less	Scale ±0-100, 332 g
ID-C1012CNXB (543-715B)	Digimatic	0-12.7	0.01	0.5 or less	All positions, 155 g
ID-C0512CNXB (543-705B)	Digimatic	0-12.7	0.0005 / 0.001 / 0.01	0.7 or less	All positions, 160 g
ID-C0512NX (543-700)	Digimatic	0-12.7	0.0005 / 0.001 / 0.01	1.5 or less	All positions, SR44 battery included, 175 g
ID-C0512NXB (543-700B)	Digimatic	0-12.7	0.0005 / 0.001 / 0.01	1.5 or less	All positions, IP42, 165 g
ID-C0525NXB (543-720B)	Digimatic	0-25.4	0.0005 / 0.001 / 0.01	1.8 or less	Downward to horizontal, 195 g
ID-C0550NXB (543-730B)	Digimatic	0-50.8	0.0005 / 0.001 / 0.01	2.3 or less	Downward to horizontal, 260 g

All models above list an 8 mm mounting stem. The Digimatic models with switchable display list a return error (HMPE) and repeatability (RMPE) of 0.002 mm; the ID-C1012CNXB lists 0.02 mm and 0.01 mm. Digital data output is Not confirmed on these pages. We also stock the Digimatic ID-S1012X2, ID-S1012XB2 and ID-S112XB2; their range, display step and measuring force are Not confirmed on our pages, so they are not in the table.

Picks by job

Mitutoyo 2044A-60 dial indicator, 0-5 mm, 0.01 mm

General setup and runoutMitutoyo 2044A-60

0-5 mm, 0.01 mm, 57 mm face, lug back.

View 2044A-60

Mitutoyo 1040A compact dial indicator, 0-3.5 mm

Compact, tight spacesMitutoyo 1040A

40 mm face, 0-3.5 mm, 0.01 mm, 90 g.

View 1040A

Mitutoyo 1013A-10 dial indicator, 0.002 mm graduation

Finer analog readingMitutoyo 1013A-10

0.002 mm graduation, 0-1 mm range.

View 1013A-10

Mitutoyo 3062A-19 long-stroke dial indicator, 0-100 mm

Long travelMitutoyo 3062A-19

0-100 mm, 78 mm face.

View 3062A-19

Mitutoyo ID-C0512NXB Digimatic indicator 543-700B

Digital, fine displayMitutoyo ID-C0512NXB

0-12.7 mm, 0.0005 mm display, IP42, all positions.

View ID-C0512NXB

Mitutoyo ID-C1012CNXB low measuring force Digimatic indicator

Soft or thin partsMitutoyo ID-C1012CNXB

0.5 N or less, the lowest force in this table.

View ID-C1012CNXB

Need more travel in digital? The ID-C0525NXB (0-25.4 mm) and ID-C0550NXB (0-50.8 mm) list mounting from downward to horizontal only.

Need a holder? Our Mitutoyo BSG granite comparator stands list an 8 mm hole or an 8 mm bushing that matches the 8 mm stem above.

FAQ

Is a dial indicator the same as a dial gauge?

Yes. "Dial gauge" is a common name for the same plunger-type tool. A dial test indicator (lever type) is a different tool; see our comparison guide.

Can a dial indicator measure the size of a part?

Not directly. It shows movement from the point where you set zero. To get a size, zero it on a known reference (such as a gauge block) and read the difference on each part. For direct size readings, use a micrometer or caliper.

What graduation do I need?

For most machine setup and runout checks, 0.01 mm is common. For tighter work, our 1013A-10 and 1013AB-10 read 0.002 mm, and most Digimatic ID-C models can display 0.0005 mm. On analog dials, finer graduation usually comes with a shorter range; Digimatic models such as the ID-C0550NXB (0.0005 mm display over 50.8 mm) are the exception.

Should I oil a sticky spindle?

No. Mitutoyo says not to lubricate the spindle. Clean it with a dry cloth or a cloth moistened with alcohol.

Where are these indicators from?

They are Mitutoyo models listed under their Japanese model names (for example 1013A-10) and shipped from Japan. All the indicator pages above list Japan as the country of origin. Japanese-market status is Not confirmed on these pages.