What does the shortest hand on a typical altimeter indicate?

The shortest hand on a typical altimeter indicates altitude in thousands of feet. Altimeters generally have a dial with multiple hands, where the longest hand typically represents the altitude in feet, marking each individual foot, while the middle hand indicates levels in hundreds of feet. However, the shortest hand, which completes a full rotation for every 10,000 feet, is specifically designated to show the altitude in thousands of feet.

This design allows pilots to quickly and easily interpret their altitude at a glance, particularly during critical phases of flight such as takeoff or landing when altitude awareness is crucial for safety. The use of this system supports clear distinction between different altitude levels and helps ensure that pilots maintain situational awareness.