Abstract: A measuring tape system for determining the girth or length of an object, the measuring tape system including a flexible tape containing specific measuring indicia. One end of the flexible tape is secured to and wound about a drum rotatably mounted within a housing. The drum is spring biased such that it will allow the associated tape to be paid out against the bias of the spring and upon the appropriate command is retrieved and rewound on the drum. The flexible tape is pulled from the housing through an appropriate opening in the wall of the housing and the free end of the tape is selectively placed in a receiver formed in the housing.