Precision is the number one factor to consider when you're on the hunt for your perfect scale. Scale precision makes the difference between the best scale for the job and a lousy one. Use these tips to determine the right scale precision for you.
First, let's get the terminology straight. Scale precision can also be called scale accuracy. This is much different from the capacity of the scale. Scale capacity refers to how much weight the scale can handle before its inner workings are overloaded and can be damaged. Scale precision is how fine the scale measures that capacity and has an associated error rate. (Error rates are very slight and are mostly useful for only the finest measurements.) As a general rule, the lower the capacity of the scale, the higher (or better) the scale's precision. Thus, scale capacity is inversely related to scale precision. Typically, scale precision is directly related to price: higher precision results in a higher price tag.
Our website helps you choose a scale by precision with our
scale finder (or guided search feature).
If all of that makes sense, now consider the application of your scale. What will you use it for? Scales that weigh beads or gems will probably not be good for weighing the box and final jewelry product for shipment. Life and death and expensive applications like ammunition reloading and jewelry scales will have much finer (or higher) precisions than the personal bathroom scale that tracks your weight.
Weighing modes and scale precision also go hand in hand. The gram is the most commonly used weighing mode to report a scale's precision. Most scales have the option to weigh in grams (or kilograms if it is a larger digital scale) so this is the handiest precision mode to use. Of course, people who fish or travel frequently will most likely use pounds, the post office requires the weight of letters in ounces, gunsmiths use grains, and jewelers and gemologists most commonly use carats. Be sure that the scale you have your eye on weighs in your desired mode and that you calculate precision accordingly. There is nothing more frustrating then getting your new digital scale set up and finding it is not precise enough for your needs. A simple Google search will produce dozens of handy weight conversion tools. Choose the one you like best and bookmark it in your Internet browser for future use.
Of course, if you still need guidance, we at
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