How to properly use this multimeter tool ?

[idy]

It means your meter is giving you one point along a curve. Some have similar curves, some have different curves.

More important question becomes what do you mean "ratio between transistors?"
Why do you need transistors that have a "ratio"? Or do you just mean "Do these limited measurements give a rough idea of the gain I will get in a circuit?" The answer is sort of, maybe, roughly.

What do you want to build? You can change the gain of, for example a big muff stage by monkeying with the resistors (and feedback caps) and/or subbing transistor types.

[Grunfeld]

It means your meter is giving you one point along a curve. Some have similar curves, some have different curves.

More important question becomes what do you mean "ratio between transistors?"
Why do you need transistors that have a "ratio"? Or do you just mean "Do these limited measurements give a rough idea of the gain I will get in a circuit?" The answer is sort of, maybe, roughly.

What do you want to build? You can change the gain of, for example a big muff stage by monkeying with the resistors (and feedback caps) and/or subbing transistor types.

I'm looking for two silicone transistors with a gain ratio of about 1.5 between each other for a fuzz face (ideally Q2 would have 150% of the gain of Q1) because according to the internet that's what sounds the best lol.

I got a batch of 2n3904s and 2n3903s hoping to pair them with each other based on the gain ranges listed on their specs sheets. My meter ended up reading around 170 for all the 2n3903s and 190 for all the 2n3904s. Right now I have 2N2222 in Q2 that read 250 hFE on my meter coupled with a 2N3903 in Q1 that read 170, and it sounds pretty good, but now I'm wondering if I based my assumptions on completely arbitrary readings.
Guess I'll try a 2n3904 in Q2 as well and just let my ears decide.

[GibsonGM]

, and it sounds pretty good... just let my ears decide.