What is a common measuring tool used in woodworking to ensure accuracy?

In woodworking, a square is an essential measuring tool used to ensure accuracy in creating right angles and checking the squareness of joints and edges. It allows woodworkers to confirm that corners are at a precise 90 degrees, which is crucial for both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal in projects. The square’s design typically consists of a long blade and a short handle, making it easy to mark straight lines and verify square measurements across different surfaces.

While calipers and micrometers are precise measuring tools, they are typically more suited for fine measurements in machining or metalworking rather than the larger dimensions frequently encountered in woodworking. A protractor is used for measuring angles, which can be helpful in certain woodworking tasks but does not fulfill the need for checking right angles as directly and effectively as a square does. Thus, for ensuring accurate and square cuts in woodworking, the square is the most commonly utilized tool.