General DIY and small joinery
You mark everyday boards and you want a readable metric and imperial scale on both sides. A 200 mm blade is enough if you flip-test it first. You do not need a vial or a scriber in the stock.
Try square comparison 2026: length, scale and price
The best try squares, compared.
Top pick: WORKPRO 200 mm try square – Highest score in this set: 4.7 from 652 reviews, a 2 mm stainless blade, three pins, and scales on both sides. Best value: S & S 150 mm try square – Lowest price at about £4.49 in a compact 150 mm size, if the joint is firm and the flip test passes. Updated October 2026.
A try square is the fixed L you hold against a straight edge when a cut has to leave the board at 90°. UK shelves also say carpenter's square or engineer's square, and those are not the same tool. A 150 mm blade suits trim and short lines. A titled 300 mm blade can mark a wide flooring plank in one pass. None of the five states BS 3322 or BS 939, so stars are not proof that your sample is square. The flip test is in [how to check a try square](/hub/measuring-and-marking-tools/try-square/sub/try-square-check-accuracy). The stock sits on a straight edge of the timber and you mark or sight along the blade. A traditional UK try square has a hardwood stock, brass faces and a blued steel blade.
A try square is the fixed L you hold against a straight edge when a cut has to leave the board at 90°. UK shelves also say carpenter's square or engineer's square, and those are not the same tool.
18 products checked · 48 hrs invested · +17,200 readers
5 of 5: Best try squares compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 5Best overall
Best value
9.2/10
8.3/10
8.2/10
8.1/10
8.4/10
∼ £12
∼ £25
∼ £4
∼ £8
∼ £17
4.7(652)
4.5(1,266)
4.5(181)
4.5(154)
4.5(15)
Personal buying guide
Which try square fits the job?
Question 1 of 2
How wide is the piece you mark?
The best try squares in detail
Our view
The WORKPRO provides a practical 200 mm reach with a 2 mm stainless-steel blade and a pinned aluminium handle. Its metric and imperial graduations on both sides make it easier to read from different working positions than a split-scale design. The 4.7-star line from 652 reviews is the strongest combination of rating and review depth in this group, though it does not prove that every sample is square. At £11.99, it sits in the middle of the set rather than charging extra for a vial or scriber. The significant caveat is edge finish: despite the listing's passivation claim, reviewers describe a razor-sharp edge and one reported cutting a finger. Check the edge carefully, ease any sharp arris safely and flip-test the tool before first use.
Pros
- Useful 200 mm general-purpose size
- 2 mm stainless-steel blade
- Metric and imperial scales on both sides
- Three-pin joint
Cons
- Review reports of a dangerously sharp edge
- Listing dimensions conflict with the stated graduation
- No vial, scriber or 45° feature stated
Best for: General DIY and joinery where a clear double-sided scale matters
Less suitable: Anyone wanting integrated levelling, scribing or 45° features
Specifications
- Model
- WORKPRO 200 mm try square
- Brand
- WORKPRO
- Price
- ∼£12
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(652)
- Stated length
- 200 mm
- Size conflict
- 15 × 2.7 cm
- Scale
- Both sides, mm and in
- Joint
- Three pins
- Weight
- 280 g
- Material
- Alloy and stainless
Common questions
What is the WORKPRO square made of?
The bullets say an aluminium-alloy handle and a stainless-steel blade, 2 mm thick, fixed with three pins. The attribute line says alloy aluminium and stainless steel. Country of origin is China.
Are the blade edges finished?
The bullets say the edge is passivated to avoid cuts. UK reviews say the edge was razor sharp. One buyer cut a finger and took the edge off with fine sandpaper.
Is the stated length 200 mm?
The graduation range says 200 millimetres. The dimensions field says 15 by 2.7 centimetres. Those two fields do not describe the same size.
Our view
The Presch is presented as a 300 mm square with 90° and 45° references, a vial and a screw-mounted marking pin. Its substantial 490 g build may feel steadier on a board than the lighter aluminium listings, and the 4.5-star line draws on 1,266 reviews. That review count needs caution because the file also contains comments about 200 mm, 400 mm and set variants, so it cannot be treated as evidence for one 300 mm model alone. The listing compounds the uncertainty by giving an 18 cm graduation despite the 300 mm title. Some reviewers say their square passed a flip test or matched another square, while others returned samples that were out of square. At £24.99 it is the most expensive option here, so verify the supplied size and accuracy immediately rather than relying on the large headline review count.
Pros
- Long 300 mm stated size
- Includes 45° reference, vial and marking pin
- Substantial 490 g construction
- Large headline review count
Cons
- Review file mixes several sizes and sets
- Conflicting 300 mm and 18 cm listing fields
- Some reviewers received an out-of-square sample
- Highest price in this comparison
Best for: Longer marking work where you want integrated 45°, vial and pin features and will check the sample promptly
Less suitable: Buyers who expect the headline review count to apply only to the 300 mm version
Specifications
- Model
- Presch 300 mm try square
- Brand
- PRESCH
- Price
- ∼£25
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(1,266)
- Stated length
- 300 mm
- Size conflict
- 18 cm field
- Scale
- Metric in reviews
- Joint
- Rivets (reviews)
- Weight
- 490 g
- Material
- Stainless steel
- 45° face
- Yes
- Vial
- Yes
Common questions
Is this Presch square 300 mm?
The title and the style name say 300 mm, and included components say Try Square 300mm. The graduation range says 18 centimetres, and the dimensions say 18 by 33.8 centimetres. Reviews in the same file also name 200 mm and 400 mm squares.
Is it made in Germany?
The country-of-origin field says China. Some UK reviews call the design German. The listing does not say made in Germany.
Did UK reviewers find it square?
Some UK texts say a flip test passed or that the square matched the reviewer's own engineer's square. Others say the sample was out of square, including one return and one buyer who said the return window had passed. The 4.5 from 1,266 reviews is the listing line, not a measurement of one size.
Our view
The S & S gives you a compact 150 mm square for short cross-lines, with a vial that can provide a quick level check. At £4.49, it is the least expensive listing here and its 4.5-star line is based on 181 reviews. Its small size suits trim, battens and confined work better than wide flooring boards. The main reservation is the joint: reviewers describe punch indents, slight looseness and, in one case, factory glue followed by a home repair. The listing also calls the tool resettable without explaining the mechanism, while its graduation field incorrectly says 150 millilitres. Treat it as a low-cost square to flip-test on arrival, rather than a reference tool you can trust without checking.
Pros
- Low £4.49 price
- Compact 150 mm size for small workpieces
- Metric and imperial scale stated in the title
- Built-in vial
Cons
- Review reports of a loose or glued joint
- Too short to mark wide boards in one pass
- Conflicting and unclear listing fields
Best for: Budget DIY, trim and short cross-lines after a successful flip test
Less suitable: Wide boards, precision reference work or anyone needing a rigid certified square
Specifications
- Model
- S & S 150 mm try square
- Brand
- S & S PRODUCTS
- Price
- ∼£4
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(181)
- Stated length
- 150 mm
- Size conflict
- 150 millilitres
- Scale
- Metric and imperial
- Joint
- Punch indents
- Weight
- 80 g
- Material
- Aluminium
- Vial
- Yes
Common questions
How long is the S & S square?
The title says 6 inch / 150 mm, and the dimensions field says 15.2 by 15.2 centimetres. The graduation range says 150 millilitres, which is not a length.
Does it include a spirit level?
The title says horizontal spirit level. UK reviews call the bubble useful. The listing does not give a millimetres-per-metre figure.
Is the joint fixed?
UK reviews describe three punch indents on each side. One buyer found it a little loose. Another saw factory superglue and glued the joint themselves. The title says resettable, and the listing does not explain how.
Our view
The Gunpla offers a long, light 300 mm format for crossing wider boards without the weight of a heavy steel square. Its title states metric and imperial markings and the built-in vial adds a quick secondary check. At £7.98 with 154 reviews behind its 4.5-star line, it looks inexpensive for the stated reach. However, one reviewer describes centimetres on the outer edge and inches on the inner edge, which is awkward if you work only in metric. The listing dimensions of 30 × 15 mm plainly conflict with the 300 mm title, and another reviewer called the usable blade about 10.5 inches. A reviewer also reported that the rivet holding the angle came off, so check the joint and run a flip test before relying on it.
Pros
- Long 300 mm stated size
- Light 140 g aluminium construction
- Metric and imperial markings
- Built-in vial
Cons
- Scale systems may be split between edges
- Conflicting size information in the listing
- One review reports a failed rivet
Best for: Budget marking across wider boards when mixed metric and imperial scales are acceptable
Less suitable: Metric-only work or jobs where joint durability is critical
Specifications
- Model
- Gunpla 300 mm try square
- Brand
- Gunpla
- Price
- ∼£8
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(154)
- Stated length
- 300 mm
- Size conflict
- 30 × 15 mm
- Scale
- Split edges (review)
- Joint
- Rivet (review)
- Weight
- 140 g
- Material
- Aluminium
- Vial
- Yes
Common questions
Is the Gunpla scale metric on both edges?
The bullets say clear metric and imperial graduations on both sides. One UK review says the inner edge is in inches and the outer edge is in centimetres.
Can you adjust the 90°?
One UK review describes an adjustable screw that lets you true the blade and tighten it again. Another UK review says the rivet holding 90° came off in use.
What length does the listing state?
The title and graduation say 300 mm / 12 inch. The dimensions field says 30 by 15 millimetres. One UK reviewer said they would call the blade 10.5 inch.
Our view
The PREXISO combines a 250 mm fixed square with a 45° face, vial, screw-in scriber, 5 mm marking notches and a retractable support. Those extras make repeated marking more convenient than on the simpler fixed squares, particularly when you want to register a pencil at a set offset. Its £16.99 price is reasonable for that feature set, but the 4.5-star line rests on only 15 reviews. One reviewer needed pliers to release the scriber for the first time, and another warns that a utility knife can cut into the aluminium straight edge. The listing itself says aluminium while a reviewer describes a steel blade and aluminium stock, so the material evidence is not fully consistent. Choose it for its marking aids, but use the scriber or a pencil rather than assuming the edge will tolerate a knife.
Pros
- 250 mm size balances reach and handling
- Includes 45° face, vial and screw-in scriber
- 5 mm marking notches
- Retractable support
Cons
- Only 15 reviews behind the rating
- A knife may damage the aluminium edge
- Conflicting material descriptions
Best for: DIY marking jobs that benefit from a scriber, fixed offsets, 45° and a compact vial
Less suitable: Knife marking against the edge or buyers wanting extensive review evidence
Specifications
- Model
- PREXISO 250 mm try square
- Brand
- Prexiso
- Price
- ∼£17
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(15)
- Stated length
- 250 mm
- Scale
- Metric, both sides
- Weight
- 268 g
- Material
- Aluminium
- 45° face
- Yes
- Vial
- Yes
Common questions
Is the PREXISO blade aluminium?
The material attribute says aluminium. One UK review describes a steel blade with a black finish and an anodised aluminium stock. The listing and the review do not agree.
Does it include a scriber?
The bullets say a built-in scribing needle. UK reviews say it unscrews from the stock. One reviewer needed pliers the first time.
Can you score along the blade with a knife?
One UK review says the straight edge is aluminium and a sharp utility knife will cut into it. The same review treats the screw-in needle as the marker for wood.
How we compared
We compared five metal try squares from amazon.co.uk listings and scored them on a 0–100 scale. Prices, stars and review counts are the figures in those listing files, not a live reload and not a lab measurement. No product is credited with BS 3322 or BS 939, because none of the five states either standard. A star average is not treated as an accuracy test. The four weights below sum to 100.
1
Amazon evidence
35%The amazon.co.uk star rating and the depth of the review file. A high average from a handful of reviews cannot outrank a slightly lower average with hundreds of reviews, and a mixed-size review file is not treated as proof for one length.
2
Build, scale and joint
25%Stated blade and stock materials, whether the scale is readable in millimetres on the edge you mark from, and how the joint is described. Scores drop where listings conflict or owners report a loose joint, a failed rivet or a sharp edge.
3
Size and marking features
20%Inside length against the board you mark, then extras such as a 45° face, a vial, a scriber or marking notches. A vial in a short stock is not scored as a spirit level.
4
Value at the GBP price
20%What the listing offers at the printed amazon.co.uk price. The lowest price scores here only when the size is still useful and you can flip-test the sample on arrival.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
9 sources checked
Try square buying guide
Buy the inside length you will actually mark, then a scale you can read in millimetres, then a joint that stays put. Extras such as a 45° face, a vial or a scriber come after that. None of these five listings states BS 3322 or BS 939, so flip-test the sample before you trust a star line.
What is a try square?
A try square is a fixed L. The stock sits on a straight edge of the timber and you mark or sight along the blade. UK listings also say carpenter's square or engineer's square, and those are not the same tool. A traditional UK try square has a hardwood stock, brass faces and a blued steel blade. Faithfull's own list for that pattern is about £25.48 for 150 mm, £31.43 for 230 mm and £36.64 for 300 mm, including VAT. Those hardwood squares are context only. They are not rows in this comparison.
Best for
- DIY and small joinery, once a 200–250 mm square has passed a flip test
- Short trim and battens, if a compact square is checked on arrival
- Wide boards, if the titled 300 mm length matches the tool in the box
Not ideal for
- A BS 939 reference square for checking other tools
- Roof pitches, structural stairs or inspected setting-out
- Anyone treating a stock vial as a spirit level
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Trusting the star line
The Presch listing is 4.5 from 1,266 reviews and the same file still has UK comments that sent a square back as not square. The review text also mixes 200 mm, 400 mm and sets. Stars are not a measurement of the 300 mm sample.
- 2
Ignoring a length clash
The S & S graduation field says 150 millilitres. The Gunpla dimensions field says 30 by 15 millimetres against a 300 mm title. The Presch graduation says 18 centimetres against a 300 mm title. Read both fields before you order.
- 3
Skipping the flip test
Scribe, flip the stock, and see whether the lines stay parallel. A bowed reference edge will fake a bad square. Do not knife a soft aluminium blade, and do not use the square as a pry bar.
What to weigh up
Inside length and a true 90°
HighInside blade length is the first decision, because you can only mark as far as the blade reaches. A 150 mm square, the S & S in this set, suits edges, trim and small parts. It cannot cross a wide flooring board in one pass. A 200–250 mm square suits general DIY: the WORKPRO is titled 200 mm and the PREXISO 250 mm. A titled 300 mm square, the Gunpla and the Presch, is the length that can mark a wide plank in one stroke. You then carry more weight, and you are more likely to see an error.
Scale, joint and extras
HighThe scale has to be readable in millimetres on the edge you mark from. The WORKPRO listing says metric and imperial on both sides. The PREXISO listing says a double-sided metric scale. On the Gunpla, one UK review says centimetres on the outer edge and inches on the inner edge, which is awkward if you work only in metric. The S & S title says metric and imperial, while its graduation field says 150 millilitres, which is not a length.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Short lines on a tight budget
You mark trim, battens and small parts, and about £4.49 is the limit. Check the punch joint on the day it arrives. This length will not cross a wide board in one pass.
Marking with 45° and a scriber
You want a 250 mm reach plus a 45° face, a vial, a screw-in scriber and 5 mm notches. Accept a file of 15 reviews, and do not knife along the edge.
Common questions about try squares
Which try square is the top pick in this set?
The top pick is the WORKPRO 200 mm try square, at about £11.99. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.7 from 652 reviews, the strongest mix of stars and review depth here. The bullets state a 2 mm stainless blade, three pins, and metric and imperial scales on both sides. UK reviews describe a razor-sharp edge, so ease the arris before you use it. The score reads the listing. It is not a lab certificate that every sample is square.
Which try square is the best value?
The best value is the S & S 150 mm try square at about £4.49, with 4.5 from 181 reviews. The title gives a 150 mm or 6 inch aluminium blade, metric and imperial marks, and a vial. That length suits trim and short cross-lines. It will not cross a wide board in one pass. Reviews describe punch indents, slight looseness and, in one case, factory glue. The graduation field says 150 millilitres, which is not a length. Flip-test it on the day it arrives.
How much does a try square cost on amazon.co.uk?
In these listing files the five metal squares run from about £4.49 to about £24.99. Entry is the S & S at about £4.49 and the Gunpla at about £7.98. Mid is the WORKPRO at about £11.99 and the PREXISO at about £16.99. The Presch is about £24.99, the highest price here. Faithfull's hardwood try squares list from about £25.48 to £36.64 including VAT, and they are not in this table. These figures are the file prices, not a live reload.
What length of try square should you buy?
Match the inside blade to the board. A 150 mm square suits edges, trim and small parts, and it cannot cross a wide flooring plank in one pass. A 200–250 mm square suits general DIY. A titled 300 mm square is the length that can mark a wide plank in one stroke. Then read the attribute fields. The Presch title says 300 mm while the graduation says 18 centimetres. The Gunpla dimensions field says 30 by 15 millimetres against a 300 mm title.
How do you check that a try square is square?
Scribe a line from a straight edge, flip the stock to the other face, and scribe again. If the two lines stay parallel, both corners held 90° on that edge. If they open into a wedge, the square is out, or the edge you used is not straight. Wood Workers Workshop and Axminster both describe this flip test. Repeat it on a second edge if the first result looks odd. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 you have 30 days to reject goods that are not of satisfactory quality.
Is the vial in a try square a spirit level?
No. A vial in a short stock can give a rough local check, and these listings do not give a millimetres-per-metre figure. It does not replace a spirit level, and it does not set a long line between two distant points. None of these five states BS 3322 or BS 939, so the vial is an extra, not a grade. Use a pencil or the supplied scriber on wood. One PREXISO review says a utility knife will cut into an aluminium edge.
When is a line level the wrong tool for this job?
A line level checks a long run for level. It does not mark a 90° line across a board, and a try square does not lay out a rafter pitch. Use the square for the cross-line, and a string line only when the job is that long level. The cases where a line level misleads you are set out in when a line level is the wrong tool.
Our verdict
Across these five amazon.co.uk listings, the top pick is the WORKPRO 200 mm try square at about £11.99, with 4.7 from 652 reviews, a 2 mm stainless blade and metric and imperial scales on both sides. Ease the edge before use: reviewers describe it as razor sharp. The best value is the S & S 150 mm try square at about £4.49, with 4.5 from 181 reviews, if the joint is firm and the flip test passes. It is too short for a wide board in one pass. None of the five states BS 3322 or BS 939, and a star line is not a measurement of the sample in the box.
Best overallView offer
WORKPRO 200 mm try square
Highest score in this set: 4.7 from 652 reviews, a 2 mm stainless blade, three pins, and scales on both sides.
Best value
View offer
S & S 150 mm try square
Lowest price at about £4.49 in a compact 150 mm size, if the joint is firm and the flip test passes.
Editorial
DIY & tools editor
Measuring toolsWorkshop squaresamazon.co.uk listings
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
9 sources checked
Guides to try squares
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Try square buying guideLength first, then scale and joint, then 45°, vial and scriber.Best try squareWho each listing is for, and who should leave it on the shelf.How to use a try squareStock on the edge, mark with a pencil, and when a knife will scar aluminium.Try square vs combination squareA fixed 90° against a sliding stock that also gauges depth.Check a try square for accuracyThe flip test, what an open wedge means, and the 30-day rejection point.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK sources for this comparison. Prices, stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk figures in the listing files, not a live reload.
- BSI, BS 3322:1981 — carpenters' squares and bevels (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- BSI, BS 939:2007 — engineers' squares (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- Wonkee Donkee Tools — engineer's square accuracy (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- Wonkee Donkee Tools — how to use a try and mitre square (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- Wood Workers Workshop — flip test (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- Axminster — measuring and marking (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- Axminster — types of woodworking square (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 22 (retrieved 16 October 2026)
- Faithfull — carpenters' try squares (retrieved 16 October 2026)
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are the UK listing figures in the comparison files. We did not run a lab test.