There is really no correlation. All it really shows is how much the plate itself is raised. What I did, and I really like it like this, is to use a piece of masking tape over the top of the current sticker. I then let it all the way down and measure prop to pad. With a ink pin I write actual prop to pad numbers on the masking tape, and even inches on the tape, and quarter inch increment marks like the original tape. ( I hope this makes sense) That way you can look at the tape and see exactly what your prop to pad is, and like on my Sabre all the way down is 4 1/4″. I know when the gauge is on 3 that my prop to pad is 3 1/2″ being each number on the gauge is 1/4″.