What is the smallest sample you can weigh on a laboratory balance?
Balances are not a perfect measuring technology. There is a point in the balance’s range where if you weigh below the uncertainty of the result becomes too high, making measurements unreliable.
So what is the smallest sample weight you can weigh on a balance?
This area is addressed by the United States and European Pharmacopeia “Minimum Sample Weight”.
The smallest sample a balance can be used to weigh is dependent on a number of variables: external environment, precision of the balance and customer performance requirements. Ultimately it can also only be calculated in situ.
This however does not help when you are trying to decide what balance to purchase.
So, to give an indication we have generated this guide. However it is important to note this is based upon:
- The balance is being used in good laboratory conditions, where external environmental factors are kept to a minimum.
- A balance from a reputable balance manufacturer is being used
Balance Readability Smallest sample weight
0.000 1mg 0.1mg
0.001mg 1mg
0.01mg 10mg
0.1mg 100mg
1mg (0.001g) 1g
0.01g 10g
0.1g 100g