Which Mitutoyo Caliper for the Job? Blade, Point, Tube, Centerline, Inside and Long-Jaw Calipers

Every caliper measures outside, inside and (usually) depth. What decides whether it can reach the dimension you need is the shape of the jaws. So instead of starting with the model number, start with the job: a narrow groove, a pipe wall, the distance between two holes, a dimension deep inside a part, or a part longer than your arm. This guide matches each job to the Mitutoyo caliper type we stock.

Job-by-job comparison

Values are from the specification table on each linked product page (Mitutoyo catalog data). "Not confirmed" means the product page does not state the value, so we do not claim it. Data output means a measurement data output terminal is listed.

Mitutoyo CD-15AX ABS Digimatic Caliper, 0-150 mm (500-151-30) Mitutoyo CD-P15M ABS Coolant-Proof Caliper, 0-150 mm (500-712-20)

General measuring: choose the size first

For most workshop parts, a standard digital caliper is the right tool. The main choice is length: we stock the CD-AX in 100 mm (CD-10AX), 150 mm (CD-15AX), 200 mm (CD-20AX) and 300 mm (CD-30AX). Pick the shortest one that covers your largest regular part: the 300 mm model lists ±0.03 mm, against ±0.02 mm for the 150 mm and 200 mm models. Our 150 mm comparison explains the AX, APX (no data output), coolant-proof CD-P and carbide-jaw versions.

Mitutoyo CD-10AX ABS Digimatic Caliper, 0-100 mm (500-150-30) Mitutoyo CD-20AX ABS Digimatic Caliper, 0-200 mm (500-152-30)

Narrow grooves: blade or point jaws

Standard jaws are too thick to enter a small groove. Mitutoyo distributors describe the blade-type caliper as having thin blade jaws that fit into very small grooves, with carbide-tipped outside measuring faces, and the point caliper as having narrow-tipped jaws for small grooves and tracks.

Mitutoyo NTD13-P15M Blade Digital Caliper (573-634-20) Mitutoyo NTD12-P15M Point Digital Caliper, 0-150 mm (573-621-20)

• NTD13-P15M: blade type, 0–150 mm, ±0.02 mm, IP67, data output, depth bar.
• NTD12-P15M: point type, 0–150 mm, ±0.02 mm, IP67, data output, depth bar.
• NTD12P-P15M: point type, 0–150 mm, ±0.02 mm, IP67. Its product page lists a 14.6 mm inner jaw (16.5 mm on the NTD12-P15M). A data output terminal is not listed.

Pipe and tube wall thickness

A flat jaw cannot sit inside a curved tube wall. On the tube thickness caliper, the beam-mounted jaw is a round bar that goes inside the tube, according to Mitutoyo distributor listings. The NTD16-P15M measures 0–150 mm with a 0.01 mm display and IP67 protection. Note its maximum permissible error is ±0.05 mm, wider than the ±0.02 mm of a standard 150 mm digital caliper.

Mitutoyo NTD16-P15M Digimatic Pipe Caliper (573-661-20)

Distance between hole centers

Measuring hole spacing with a standard caliper means measuring edge to edge and doing the math. The offset centerline caliper has pointed jaws that sit in the holes, and distributors describe it as made for center-to-center distances on the same plane or on offset planes, and from an edge to a hole center. The product pages list a suitable hole diameter of 1.5–9.5 mm.

Mitutoyo NTD10P-P15M Offset Centerline Caliper, 10.1-160 mm (573-605-20) Mitutoyo NTD10P-P20M Offset Centerline Caliper, 10.1-210 mm (573-606-20)

• NTD10P-P15M (573-605-20): 10.1–160 mm, ±0.03 mm, 157 g.
• NTD10P-P20M (573-606-20): 10.1–210 mm, ±0.03 mm, 177 g.
• NTD10P-P30M (573-608-20): 10.1–300 mm, ±0.03 mm, 740 g, 100 mm jaws.

Inside dimensions

The NTD14-P20M is an inside caliper: 10–200 mm, 74.5 mm jaws, ±0.05 mm, IP67, data output. The CN and C type calipers (CDN-P20, CDC-P20, and 300 mm versions) list an outside range of 0–200 mm and an inside range of 10.1–210 mm with 60 mm jaws and no depth bar. For bores where you need micrometer-level reading, see our inside and bore micrometers instead.

Mitutoyo NTD14-P20M Digimatic Inside Caliper, 10-200 mm (573-642-20) Mitutoyo CDN-P20 CN type Caliper (551-301-20)

Reaching deep into a part: long-jaw calipers

Jaw length decides how far from the edge you can measure. Standard 150 mm calipers in our comparison have 40 mm outside jaws. The long-jaw models list much longer jaws:

Mitutoyo C30L Long-jaw Caliper, 0-300 mm (534-109) Mitutoyo C50L Long Jaw Caliper, 0-500 mm (534-110)

• C30L (534-109): 0–300 mm, 90 mm jaws, 0.05 mm reading, ±0.07 mm, 0.4 kg.
• C50L (534-110): 0–500 mm, 200 mm jaws, 0.05 mm reading, ±0.13 mm, 1.4 kg.
• CM50L (534-114): 0–500 mm, 200 mm jaws, 0.02 mm reading, ±0.06 mm, 1.5 kg.
• CM75L (534-115): 0–750 mm. See the product page for its specifications.

These are vernier calipers: no battery, and no data output.

No battery: dial and vernier

A dial caliper reads mechanically. The D15FX reads 0.01 mm (±0.02 mm), the same as a standard digital model, and the D20FX is the 200 mm version. Vernier calipers such as the N15W read 0.05 mm and have carbide outside jaws. The NE-20 is a 0–200 mm vernier with 0.05 mm reading and ±0.08 mm.

Mitutoyo D15FX Dial Caliper, 150 mm (505-732) Mitutoyo D20FX Dial Caliper, 200 mm (505-733)

Large parts: 450 mm and up

For parts longer than 300 mm we stock digital long-beam calipers (CD-60C 0–600 mm, CD-100C 0–1000 mm), carbon-fiber calipers (CFC-45G and up to 2000 mm), and vernier long calipers (N100, C and CM types). The CD-60C lists 0.01 mm reading, ±0.05 mm, 90 mm outside jaws, data output and 1.35 kg.

Mitutoyo CD-60C Digimatic Caliper, 0-600 mm (500-501-10)

FAQ

Can a special caliper replace my standard caliper?

Not always. Check the specifications: the tube thickness caliper (±0.05 mm) and the inside caliper NTD14-P20M (±0.05 mm) list a wider maximum permissible error than a standard 150 mm digital caliper (±0.02 mm), and some special types have no depth bar.

Do these calipers show inches?

The specifications for the models in this guide list metric (mm) readings. If you need an inch display, contact us before ordering.

How do I send readings to a computer?

Models with a data output terminal connect through Mitutoyo cables or U-WAVE transmitters. See Mitutoyo USB and U-WAVE data tools. Which cable fits each special caliper is Not confirmed here; ask us with the model code.

Caliper or micrometer?

A caliper covers a long range with one tool. A micrometer covers 25 mm per tool with finer reading. See our Mitutoyo micrometer buying guide.

Related

• Mitutoyo digital calipers compared (150 mm)
• Which Mitutoyo tool measures what you are working on
• All Mitutoyo calipers