Column for measuring longitudinal dimensions (1) comprising: a supporting frame (2), a carriage (3) capable of moving along a measuring axis (z) along the supporting frame, a probe tip (44) connected to said carriage and designed to be brought into contact with the piece to be measured, a driving device of the carriage comprising a cable or belt (40) for moving said carriage along said measuring axis, a system for measuring the position of said carriage (3) along said measuring axis, a frame connected in an articulated manner to the carriage. The cable or belt are fastened to the frame. The articulation between the frame and the carriage allows at least one pivoting along a pivoting axis (x) parallel to the plane of said carriage. Advantages: the forces and moments exerted by the cable or belt are not exerted directly onto the carriage. The forces along an axis other than the measuring axis are absorbed by the frame.