A measuring tape apparatus includes a housing, and a tape disposed in the housing and having measuring indicia thereon. The tape has a first end inside of the housing, and a free end which is slidably removable from the housing. An L-shaped end flange is attached to the free end of the tape, for use in aligning the tape with a work piece. The end flange includes a connection section which is oriented substantially parallel to the tape, and an alignment section, substantially perpendicular to the connection section, for contacting an edge portion of a work piece. Rivets are provided to connect the end flange to the tape. The connection section also has a slot formed therein, extending laterally across the flange. The slot is adapted to receive a tip portion of a knife or marking implement therethrough, and may have a side edge which is substantially parallel to the alignment section.