A ruler, a piece of media, and the right drawing

How to measure your media.

A, B, and C identify the distances marked on a shape drawing. They are not grades or angles, and they do not always mean length, width, and height in the same order. Match your shape first, then measure between the ends of each labeled bracket.

What do A, B, and C mean?

A: The distance marked A. For a cone, it is across the base. For a cylindrical wedge, it is the height shown.
B: The distance marked B. It may be height, body length, width, or thickness, depending on the drawing.
C: A third distance, only when the drawing labels it. In the pyramid example below, it measures the other direction across the base.

No C on the drawing? Do not invent one. If a product table lists a third value without a matching diagram, ask Kevin to confirm which direction it measures.

Choose your shape. Follow its letters.

Shape to measure

Cone

A: Base diameter: straight across the round base.
B: Height: from the base to the top, not along the sloping side.
C: Not shown on this drawing.

Stand the cone on its base to find its height.

Measure in four simple steps

Choose a piece and identify the shape. Use a clean, unworn piece if available. If it is used, say so—wear can make it smaller and rounder. Compare shapes.
Turn it to match the drawing. Find both endpoints of A, then B, then C if shown. Measure the marked distance, not a diagonal or a different edge.
Use calipers or a ruler. Close caliper jaws gently against the two surfaces. With a ruler, start at the zero mark, not the end of the ruler. A ruler gives an approximate reading for small pieces.
Write down each letter and its unit. Keep the labels: “A = …, B = …, C = …, inches” or “mm.” Check several pieces and report the range if they differ.

Example: measuring a cone

If the base is 1/2 inch across and the height is 5/8 inch, record A = 1/2 in; B = 5/8 in; C = not shown. This is a measuring example, not a stock recommendation.

In millimeters: A = 12.7 mm; B = 15.875 mm. One inch equals 25.4 mm. Multiply inches by 25.4 to convert to millimeters.

Before you choose a size

Keep the angle separate. A 22°, 25°, or 45° marking describes a cut angle, not A, B, or C. The supplier’s 22° illustration does not change a Richwood 25° listing.
Do not measure the picture. Drawings are not to scale. Read the brackets and measure the physical piece.
Do not rearrange a catalog size. A × B × C is meaningful only when that exact drawing or table defines the order. A supplier reference does not override the dimensions on a Richwood product listing.

Send the measurements with your shape.

Include the shape name, bag code, material, A/B/C readings, units, and whether the media is new or worn in your quote notes. Have a side-view and end-view photo beside a ruler ready if the match needs checking.

Ask Kevin to confirm the size →

Dimension drawings and letter placement reference: Vibra Finish plastic media and ceramic media. Reviewed September 30, 2026. The diagrams are redrawn as scalable illustrations for clarity, preserving the supplier’s shape-specific letter meanings. Richwood product sizes and order options remain unchanged.