Not only were these gauges calibrated in a lab, but they also come with a certificate that's traceable to NIST. The certificate, sometimes called a test report and long form certificate, details the tested measurements. They’re for checking a part’s external threads to ensure they fall within tolerance.

A part is within tolerance if it’s easy to thread a go gauge onto the part but difficult to thread a no-go gauge more than two turns. Inspect faster by holding more than one ring gauge with a threaded ring gauge holder.

Go gauges check the maximum external thread size.

No-go gauges check the minimum external thread size.

Threads have different classes of fit. Thread fit designates the tightness or looseness of the mating threads. For example, inch threads with a 3A fit have tighter tolerances than threads with a 2A fit.