Cell Size

[Natalie]

Can someone explain to me how to figure cell size on natural comb?
For instance, I just hived a nuc and their natural comb is measuring 5-5 1/2 cells per inch.
Eventually I understand these bees will regress and keep building smaller comb but I do not know how to gage it.
How many cells per inch should I expect to see after a few cycles and I do undersand that it varies.
I hearr all the mm sizes thrown around but if someone can dumb this down for me I would appreciate it.  ;)

[iddee]

There are 25.4 MM in an inch.  If you have 5 cells per inch, divide 25.4 by 5 and you get right at 5.1 mm.Counting cell size is best done by using a metric ruler and measure 10 cells. It is easier to figure that way.

[Natalie]

Thanks Iddee!
That is what I was wondering, just so I have a basis to go off from in future measurements.
You are right I will have to get a metric ruler, I still have the same ruler I had in the 6th grade so time to get with the times I guess.

[Michael Bush]

The standard method is to lay a metric ruler over the cells and measure across ten cells (flat to flat, not point to point).  Like this:
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/47mmCombMeasurement.jpg