The Empire E105.16 Digital Box Level is a 16-inch digital box level built for accurate layout, installation, and inspection work. This is a digital box level designed for checking level, plumb, slope, and grade with a fast digital readout. Model Number: E105.16. If you want more information than a standard vial-only level can give you, this one is built to do exactly that without adding a lot of length or bulk.

What makes this level matter on the job is how quickly it gets to work. Empire's auto-calibrated design means the digital readout is ready to measure accurately as soon as the unit powers on, so you are not wasting time with manual calibration steps. It also gives you 7 measuring modes, including degree readings, inch per foot in decimal and fractional formats, millimeters per meter, and percent. That gives installers and inspectors the flexibility to work in the units the job actually calls for.

The readout setup is one of the stronger points here. Dual backlit digital displays make the measurement easier to see in different lighting conditions, and the top-read display helps when the tool is being used overhead or in positions where a front-facing screen is awkward to check. Empire also built in an overhead inverted display, so the numbers stay readable when the level is flipped for overhead work. That is a practical feature, not a gimmick, especially when you are working on overhead framing, pipe runs, or checking mounted components above eye level.

On the control side, the audio indicator gives you another way to work without staring at the screen the whole time. It provides a continuous tone when the level is level and progressive beeps as you approach level or plumb. There is also a hold mode for locking a reading in place so you can verify it after repositioning, plus an inspect mode that allows repeat inspection of grade measurements. That is especially useful for applications like ramp work where consistent slope verification matters.

The body is built from aluminum in a box beam format, which gives it the stiffness expected from a serious level while keeping weight reasonable. Precision milled edges support its stated accuracy of 0.0005 in./in., and the removable shock-absorbing endcaps help protect the tool from day-to-day knocks. Those endcaps are tool-free removable, which is useful when you need tighter access or want cleaner scribing performance along an edge.

For real jobsite conditions, Empire gave this level an IP65 rating for dust and water protection. That matters if the level lives in a truck, gets used outdoors, or sees dirty site conditions instead of staying in a clean shop. Power save mode also helps manage battery life with selectable timeout settings of 15, 30, 60, or 120 minutes, which is a practical touch for a digital measuring tool that may spend part of the day idle between checks.

The Empire E105.16 Digital Box Level is a good fit for contractors, remodelers, finish carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and inspectors who want more than a basic bubble level. The 16-inch size is easy to carry and works well in tighter spaces, cabinets, mechanical rooms, and punch-list work where a longer level gets in the way. If you need quick, repeatable digital readings in a compact format, this is the kind of level that earns its spot in the truck.

Empire E105.16 Digital Box Level for Fast, Exact Checks

This is the kind of compact digital level that makes sense when a regular box level is not giving you enough information.

• Who it's for: Pros and serious DIY users doing installation, layout, punch-list, ramp inspection, and finish work where exact slope or angle readings matter.
• Why it stands out: Auto calibration, 7 measuring modes, strong display visibility, and IP65 protection make it more useful than a basic vial-only level.
• Worth knowing: At 16 inches, this one is about portability and tight-space work. If you mainly level long framing runs or wide surfaces, you may want a longer model in the same series.

• Is this a standard bubble level or a digital level? It is a digital box level with vial reference and digital readout features.
• How many measuring modes does it have? It has 7 measuring modes, including degree, inch per foot, millimeters per meter, and percent formats.
• Can it handle rough jobsite conditions? Yes. The level is IP65 rated for dust and water protection and uses shock-absorbing removable endcaps.
• Does it support overhead work? Yes. It includes a top-read digital display and an overhead inverted display for easier reading in overhead applications.