Abstract: A tape dispenser for use with a conventional tape roll, the tape dispenser has a finger grip piece insertable within the core of tape roll and a cover piece pivotally engageable with the holding piece for adjustably encompassing part of the periphery of the tape roll, the cover piece is contoured to be gripped with the holding piece to position the cover piece against the periphery of the tape roll for dispensing tape pulled from the roll at a controlled tension, and, the cover piece includes a projecting dispensing end with a tape guide and cutting edge for guiding and severing tape pulled from the tape roll.