Prepare the saw and blade
Disconnect power or remove the battery before handling a blade. Follow the saw’s manual for blade removal and wear suitable hand protection when handling the sharp teeth. Do not run the saw to measure its blade.
A bandsaw blade’s length is the full circumference of its loop. It is not the distance between the wheels and not the visible cutting section.
Measure one complete revolution
- Place a small, visible mark on the back edge of the removed blade. Use a clear, flat surface with enough room for the full length.
- Align the mark with a starting point on a straight measuring line. Keep the teeth away from your hands and the measuring tape.
- Carefully roll the loop along the line, without slipping, until the same blade mark reaches the surface again. Mark that endpoint.
- Measure the distance between the two points. Repeat the measurement to check consistency, then compare it with the manufacturer’s specified length or permitted range.
Keep the measurement and the specification distinct
Use inches × 25.4 to convert to millimeters. For example, 44-7/8 inches is 44.875 inches, or 1139.825 mm. A manufacturer may round this to 1140 mm.
Do not choose a blade solely because your tape measurement is close to a catalog size. Blade tension travel, width and thickness also matter. If the installed blade is missing, consult the model-specific manual rather than estimating from the saw’s advertised wheel size.
For model-specific requirements, use the Finder and follow the manufacturer documents linked on the model page.