How to properly measure the length of a skateboard deck

To many skateboarders the length of a skateboard deck is an important metric.  It is important but it is also imprecise.  The main issue is that if you take a tape measure and stretch across the top of the deck it is almost impossible to measure it consistently.  Do you press the tape against the surface of the deck?  Is there a gap between the bends?  Or do you measure straight across no bend from the end of the nose to the end of the tail?  All of these ways leave much to be desired and don’t really give you much useful info.

The proper way to measure is: From the top of the deck, Add nose(farthest edge of deck to center of holes) + front truck holes span (center of holes to center of holes) + wheelbase(center of holes to center of holes) + back truck holes span (center of holes to center of holes) + tail(farthest edge of deck to center of holes) = length.

The reason this is the best way to determine length is that you can consistently make these measurements with just a ruler or tape measure.

FYI- If your main concern is deck length than probably what really matters to you is the wheelbase.  The wheelbase is what determines how far you should keep your feet apart.