Pic: switcpiuhed range multimeter
the following is from
http://www.doctronics.co.uk/meter.htm

calculating voltage
As the resistance is reduced, current increases. Calculate the current expected in each case using the formula:
I=V/R
Small variations, up to ±5%, can be attributed to the tolerance of the resistors.

Multimeter
The central knob has lots of positions and you must choose which one is appropriate for the measurement you want to make. If the meter is switched to 20 V DC, for example, then 20 V is the maximum voltage which can be measured, This is sometimes called 20 V fsd, where fsd is short for full scale deflection.

For circuits with power supplies of up to 20 V, which includes all the circuits you are likely to build, the 20 V DC voltage range is the most useful. DC ranges are indicated by V= on the meter. Sometimes, you will want to measure smaller voltages, and in this case, the 2 V or 200 mV ranges are used.

What does DC mean? DC means direct current. In any circuit which operates from a steady voltage source, such as a battery, current flow is always in the same direction. Every constructional project descirbed in Design Electronics works in this way.

AC means alternating current. In an electric lamp connected to the domestic mains electricity, current flows first one way, then the other. That is, the current reverses, or alternates, in direction. With UK mains, the current reverses 50 times per second.

For safety reasons, you must NEVER connect a multimeter to the mains supply.

You are not at all likely to use the AC ranges, indicated by V~ , on your multimeter.