MunchMakersGuides
MunchMakersGuides
āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļēāļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™ VS āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ: āļ•āļąāļ§āđ€āļĨāļ‚āļŦāļĄāļēāļĒāļ–āļķāļ‡āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ
scales-measurementBeginner

āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļēāļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™ VS āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ: āļ•āļąāļ§āđ€āļĨāļ‚āļŦāļĄāļēāļĒāļ–āļķāļ‡āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ

6 min readUpdated: 11 āļ˜.āļ„. 2568
Lisa Thompson

Lisa Thompson

Storage & Preservation Specialist

āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļēāļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™ VS āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ: āļ•āļąāļ§āđ€āļĨāļ‚āļŦāļĄāļēāļĒāļ–āļķāļ‡āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ

āļ‚āđ‰āļ­āļĄāļđāļĨāļˆāļģāđ€āļžāļēāļ°āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļēāļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™āļ­āļēāļˆāļ—āļģāđƒāļŦāđ‰āđ€āļāļīāļ”āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļŠāļąāļšāļŠāļ™ "āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ 0.1G" āļŦāļĄāļēāļĒāļ–āļķāļ‡āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ? "āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āđƒāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™" āđ€āļŦāļĄāļ·āļ­āļ™āļāļąāļš "āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ" āļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­āđ„āļĄāđˆ? āļ„āļđāđˆāļĄāļ·āļ­āļ™āļĩāđ‰āļˆāļ°āļ­āļ˜āļīāļšāļēāļĒāļ‚āđ‰āļ­āļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļēāļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™āđƒāļ™āļ āļēāļĐāļēāļ˜āļĢāļĢāļĄāļ”āļē āđ€āļžāļ·āđˆāļ­āđƒāļŦāđ‰āļ„āļļāļ“āļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āđ€āļĨāļ·āļ­āļāļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļēāļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™āļ—āļĩāđˆāđ€āļŦāļĄāļēāļ°āļŠāļĄāđāļĨāļ°āļ—āļģāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđ€āļ‚āđ‰āļēāđƒāļˆāļ§āđˆāļēāļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļ„āļļāļ“āļšāļ­āļāļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢāļ„āļļāļ“āļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡āđ†

āļ„āļģāļ•āļ­āļšāļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āļĢāļ§āļ”āđ€āļĢāđ‡āļ§

āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ„āļ·āļ­āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđƒāļāļĨāđ‰āđ€āļ„āļĩāļĒāļ‡āļāļąāļšāļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡ āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ„āļ·āļ­āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļŠāļĄāđˆāļģāđ€āļŠāļĄāļ­ āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļēāļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™ 0.1g āļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āļ•āļĢāļ§āļˆāļˆāļąāļšāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļ•āļāļ•āđˆāļēāļ‡ 0.1g (āļŦāļ™āļķāđˆāļ‡āđƒāļ™āļŠāļīāļšāļāļĢāļąāļĄ) āļŠāļģāļŦāļĢāļąāļšāļ”āļ­āļāđ„āļĄāđ‰ 0.1g āļ—āļģāļ‡āļēāļ™āđ„āļ”āđ‰āļ”āļĩ āļŠāļģāļŦāļĢāļąāļšāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđ€āļ‚āđ‰āļĄāļ‚āđ‰āļ™ āļ„āļļāļ“āļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āđƒāļŠāđ‰ 0.01g āļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­ 0.001g āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āđƒāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™ = āļāļēāļĢāđ€āļžāļīāđˆāļĄāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ™āđ‰āļ­āļĒāļ—āļĩāđˆāļŠāļļāļ”āļ—āļĩāđˆāđāļŠāļ”āļ‡ āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ = āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļ™āđˆāļēāđ€āļŠāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ–āļ·āļ­āđƒāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ§āļąāļ”āļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡ āļĄāļĩāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđ€āļāļĩāđˆāļĒāļ§āļ‚āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āđāļ•āđˆāđ„āļĄāđˆāđ€āļŦāļĄāļ·āļ­āļ™āļāļąāļ™


āļ—āļģāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđ€āļ‚āđ‰āļēāđƒāļˆāļŠāđ€āļ›āļāļŠāđ€āļāļĨ

For statistical concepts in measurement accuracy, āļ„āļđāđˆāļĄāļ·āļ­āļŠāļ–āļīāļ•āļīāļ§āļīāļĻāļ§āļāļĢāļĢāļĄ NIST provides technical guidance.

āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āđƒāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™ (āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļĨāļ°āđ€āļ­āļĩāļĒāļ”)

āļĄāļąāļ™āļ„āļ·āļ­āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ: The smallest weight increment the scale displays.

Example:

  • āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āđƒāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™ 0.1G: 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 āļŊāļĨāļŊ
  • 0.01G āļ­āđˆāļēāļ™āļ„āđˆāļē: 1.00, 1.01, 1.02 āļŊāļĨāļŊ
  • 0.001G āļ­āđˆāļēāļ™āļ„āđˆāļē: 1.000, 1.001, 1.002 āļŊāļĨāļŊ

Key point: This is what you SEE, not necessarily what's TRUE.

Accuracy

āļĄāļąāļ™āļ„āļ·āļ­āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ: How close to the actual weight the reading is.

Example:

āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļēāļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™āļ­āļēāļˆāđāļŠāļ”āļ‡ 3.5G āđ€āļĄāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡āļ„āļ·āļ­ 3.48G āļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­ 3.52G āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļˆāļ°āļšāļ­āļāļ„āļļāļ“āļ–āļķāļ‡āļ„āđˆāļēāđ€āļšāļĩāđˆāļĒāļ‡āđ€āļšāļ™āļ—āļĩāđˆāļ„āļēāļ”āđ„āļ§āđ‰

āļ‚āđ‰āļ­āļāļģāļŦāļ™āļ”āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ—āļąāđˆāļ§āđ„āļ›:

  • "Âą0.1G" āļŦāļĄāļēāļĒāļ–āļķāļ‡āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™āļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āļ›āļīāļ”āđ„āļ”āđ‰āļ–āļķāļ‡ 0.1g
  • āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™ 3.5G āļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡ āđ† āđāļĨāđ‰āļ§āļ­āļēāļˆāđ€āļ›āđ‡āļ™ 3.4G āļ–āļķāļ‡ 3.6G

āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ (āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āđƒāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ—āļģāļ‹āđ‰āļģ)

āļĄāļąāļ™āļ„āļ·āļ­āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢ: How consistently the scale gives the same reading for the same item.

āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ—āļĩāđˆāļ”āļĩ: Weigh same item 5 times, get 3.50g each time.

āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ•āđˆāļģ: Weigh same item 5 times, get 3.48g, 3.52g, 3.49g, 3.51g, 3.50g.

āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļŠāļąāļĄāļžāļąāļ™āļ˜āđŒ

TermMeaningAnalogy
āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™āđ„āļ”āđ‰āļ•āļģāđāļŦāļ™āđˆāļ‡āļ—āļĻāļ™āļīāļĒāļĄāļ—āļĩāđˆāđāļŠāļ”āļ‡āđ€āļ„āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āļŦāļĄāļēāļĒāđ„āļĄāđ‰āļšāļĢāļĢāļ—āļąāļ”
Accuracyāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđƒāļāļĨāđ‰āļŠāļīāļ”āļāļąāļšāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡āļ„āļļāļ“āļ āļēāļžāļ‚āļ­āļ‡āđ„āļĄāđ‰āļšāļĢāļĢāļ—āļąāļ”
Precisionāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļ„āļ‡āđ€āļŠāđ‰āļ™āļĄāļ·āļ­āļĄāļąāđˆāļ™āļ„āļ‡

āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļ–āļđāļāļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļ•āđˆāļēāļ‡āļāļąāļ™āļŦāļĄāļēāļĒāļ–āļķāļ‡āļ­āļ°āđ„āļĢāđƒāļ™āļ—āļēāļ‡āļ›āļāļīāļšāļąāļ•āļī

āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ 0.1G (āđ€āļ„āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āļŠāļąāđˆāļ‡āļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļāļĢāļ°āđ€āļ›āđ‹āļē)

āļŠāļīāđˆāļ‡āļ—āļĩāđˆāļ„āļļāļ“āļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āļ§āļąāļ”āđ„āļ”āđ‰āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āļ™āđˆāļēāđ€āļŠāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ–āļ·āļ­:

  • 1G āļ‚āļķāđ‰āļ™āđ„āļ›āļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļĄāļąāđˆāļ™āđƒāļˆ
  • 0.5G āļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ—āļĩāđˆāđ€āļŦāļĄāļēāļ°āļŠāļĄ
  • āļ•āđˆāļģāļāļ§āđˆāļē 0.5G āļˆāļ°āđ„āļĄāđˆāļ™āđˆāļēāđ€āļŠāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ–āļ·āļ­

Best for:

  • āļ•āļĢāļ§āļˆāļŠāļ­āļšāđāļ›āļ”, āđ„āļ•āļĢāļĄāļēāļŠ, āļ­āļ­āļ™āļ‹āđŒ
  • āļŠāļąāđˆāļ‡āļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļ”āļ­āļāđ„āļĄāđ‰āļ—āļąāđˆāļ§āđ„āļ›
  • āđƒāļŠāđ‰āđƒāļ™āļŠāļĩāļ§āļīāļ•āļ›āļĢāļ°āļˆāļģāļ§āļąāļ™

āđ„āļĄāđˆāļ”āļĩāļŠāļģāļŦāļĢāļąāļš:

  • āļāļēāļĢāļ‹āļ·āđ‰āļ­āļ„āļĢāļķāđˆāļ‡āļāļĢāļąāļĄāđ€āļ”āļĩāļĒāļ§
  • āļŠāļĄāļēāļ˜āļī
  • āļ›āļĢāļīāļĄāļēāļ“āļāļēāļĢāđƒāļŠāđ‰āļ—āļĩāđˆāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ

āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ•āļĩāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄ:

āđ€āļĄāļ·āđˆāļ­āđ€āļ„āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āļŠāļąāđˆāļ‡āđāļŠāļ”āļ‡ 3.5g āļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡āļ™āđˆāļēāļˆāļ° 3.4-3.6g

āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ 0.01G (āđ€āļ„āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āļŠāļąāđˆāļ‡āļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ)

āļŠāļīāđˆāļ‡āļ—āļĩāđˆāļ„āļļāļ“āļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āļ§āļąāļ”āđ„āļ”āđ‰āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āļ™āđˆāļēāđ€āļŠāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ–āļ·āļ­:

  • 0.1G āļ‚āļķāđ‰āļ™āđ„āļ›āļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļĄāļąāđˆāļ™āđƒāļˆāļŠāļđāļ‡
  • 0.05G āļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ—āļĩāđˆāđ€āļŦāļĄāļēāļ°āļŠāļĄ
  • āļ”āļĩāļāļ§āđˆāļēāļŠāļģāļŦāļĢāļąāļšāļ›āļĢāļīāļĄāļēāļ“āđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļ™āđ‰āļ­āļĒ

Best for:

  • āļāļēāļĢāļ•āļĢāļ§āļˆāļŠāļ­āļšāļāļēāļĢāļ‹āļ·āđ‰āļ­āļ—āļĩāđˆāļĄāļĩāļ‚āļ™āļēāļ”āđ€āļĨāđ‡āļāļĨāļ‡
  • āļāļēāļĢāļŠāļąāđˆāļ‡āļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļ”āļ­āļāđ„āļĄāđ‰āļ—āļĩāđˆāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļĒāļīāđˆāļ‡āļ‚āļķāđ‰āļ™
  • āļŠāļąāđˆāļ‡āļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļ‡āļšāļ›āļĢāļ°āļĄāļēāļ“
  • āļĒāļēāļ—āļĩāđˆāļāļīāļ™āđ„āļ”āđ‰āļ”āļĩāļāļ§āđˆāļē

āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ•āļĩāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄ:

āđ€āļĄāļ·āđˆāļ­āđ€āļ„āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āļŠāļąāđˆāļ‡āđāļŠāļ”āļ‡ 3.50g āļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡āļ™āđˆāļēāļˆāļ° 3.48-3.52g

āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ 0.001G (āļĄāļīāļĨāļĨāļīāļāļĢāļąāļĄāļŠāļąāđˆāļ‡)

āļŠāļīāđˆāļ‡āļ—āļĩāđˆāļ„āļļāļ“āļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āļ§āļąāļ”āđ„āļ”āđ‰āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āļ™āđˆāļēāđ€āļŠāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ–āļ·āļ­:

  • 0.01g āļ‚āļķāđ‰āļ™āđ„āļ›āļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļĄāļąāđˆāļ™āđƒāļˆāļŠāļđāļ‡
  • 0.005G āļ”āđ‰āļ§āļĒāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ—āļĩāđˆāđ€āļŦāļĄāļēāļ°āļŠāļĄ
  • āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļŠāļđāļ‡āļŠāļļāļ”

Best for:

  • āļŠāļĄāļēāļ˜āļī
  • āļāļēāļĢāļ—āļģāļāļīāļ™āđ„āļ”āđ‰āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ
  • āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļ–āļđāļāļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āļ—āļēāļ‡āļ§āļīāļ—āļĒāļēāļĻāļēāļŠāļ•āļĢāđŒ
  • āđƒāļŠāđ‰āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āļĄāļ·āļ­āļ­āļēāļŠāļĩāļž

āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™āļāļēāļĢāļ•āļĩāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄ:

āđ€āļĄāļ·āđˆāļ­āđ€āļ„āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āļŠāļąāđˆāļ‡āđāļŠāļ”āļ‡ 3.500g āļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡āļ™āđˆāļēāļˆāļ° 3.498-3.502g


āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ vs āļ āļēāļžāļ›āļĢāļ°āļāļ­āļšāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ

āļ”āļĩāļ—āļąāđ‰āļ‡āļŠāļ­āļ‡ (āļ­āļļāļ”āļĄāļ„āļ•āļī)

āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™: 3.50, 3.50, 3.50, 3.50, 3.50

āļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡: 3.50 āļāļĢāļąāļĄ

Result: Perfect—accurate and precise.

āđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāđāļ•āđˆāđ„āļĄāđˆāļ–āļđāļāļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡

āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™: 3.55, 3.55, 3.55, 3.55, 3.55

āļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡: 3.50 āļāļĢāļąāļĄ

Result: Consistently wrong. Needs calibration.

āļ–āļđāļāļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡āđāļ•āđˆāđ„āļĄāđˆāđāļ™āđˆāļŠāļąāļ”

āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™: 3.48, 3.52, 3.49, 3.51, 3.50

āļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡: 3.50 āļāļĢāļąāļĄ

Result: Averages correct but individual readings vary. Environmental issue likely.

āđ„āļĄāđˆ (āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļēāļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™āđ„āļĄāđˆāļ”āļĩ)

āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™: 3.45, 3.58, 3.42, 3.61, 3.49

āļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡: 3.50 āļāļĢāļąāļĄ

Result: Unreliable. Replace or repair scale.


āļˆāļąāļšāļ„āļđāđˆāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ•āļēāļĄāļ§āļąāļ•āļ–āļļāļ›āļĢāļ°āļŠāļ‡āļ„āđŒ

āļŠāļģāļŦāļĢāļąāļšāļ”āļ­āļāļāļąāļāļŠāļē

Purposeāļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ‚āļąāđ‰āļ™āļ•āđˆāļģāđāļ™āļ°āļ™āļģ
āļāļēāļĢāļ•āļĢāļ§āļˆāļŠāļ­āļšāļ­āļ­āļ™āļ‹āđŒ0.1g0.1g
āļāļģāļĨāļąāļ‡āļ•āļĢāļ§āļˆāļŠāļ­āļšāđāļ›āļ”0.1g0.1g
āļāļģāļĨāļąāļ‡āļ•āļĢāļ§āļˆāļŠāļ­āļšāļāļĢāļąāļĄ0.1g0.01g
āļ•āļĢāļ§āļˆāļ„āļĢāļķāđˆāļ‡āļāļĢāļąāļĄ0.01g0.01g

āļšāļĢāļĢāļ—āļąāļ”āļĨāđˆāļēāļ‡: 0.1g works for most flower purposes. 0.01g is better for small amounts.

For Concentrates

PurposeMinimum AccuracyRecommended
General verification0.01g0.001g
Portioning dabs0.001g0.001g
Making edibles0.001g0.001g
Professional use0.001g0.001g

Bottom line: 0.001g is really the only appropriate accuracy for concentrates.

For Edibles

PurposeMinimum AccuracyRecommended
With flower0.1g0.01g
With concentrates0.001g0.001g
Precise dosing0.001g0.001g

Understanding Margin of Error

What Âą Means

When specs say "Âą0.1g":

  • Reading of 5.0g means actual could be 4.9-5.1g
  • Reading of 3.5g means actual could be 3.4-3.6g

Error Compounds with Small Weights

At larger weights:

5.0g Âą 0.1g = 2% potential error

At smaller weights:

0.5g Âą 0.1g = 20% potential error

Lesson: Accuracy matters more for smaller amounts.

Why Cheap Scales Are Worse

Better scales:

  • Tighter actual accuracy than spec
  • More consistent
  • Better at edges of range

Cheap scales:

  • May not meet stated spec
  • Worse at small weights
  • More environmental sensitivity


Testing Your Scale's Accuracy

Using Known Weights

Calibration weights (best):

  • Known precise weight
  • Use to verify and calibrate

Coins (adequate):

  • US nickel = 5.00g
  • US penny (post-1982) = 2.50g
  • Stack for larger weights

Precision Test

1. Weigh same item 5 times

2. Record each reading

3. All same = good precision

4. Variation = precision issue

Accuracy Test

1. Weigh known weight (calibration weight or coins)

2. Compare to known value

3. Close = good accuracy

4. Off = needs calibration or replacement


Improving Your Readings

Environmental Factors

For best accuracy:

  • Level, stable surface
  • Away from air currents
  • Consistent temperature
  • No vibrations

Usage Factors

For best accuracy:

  • Calibrate regularly
  • Fresh batteries
  • Let scale warm up
  • Don't rush readings

Scale Factors

For best accuracy:

  • Quality brand
  • Appropriate accuracy for task
  • Proper maintenance
  • Not exceeding capacity


Quick Reference

Accuracy by Scale Type

Scale TypeTypical AccuracyBest For
Kitchen scale1gLarge amounts only
Pocket scale0.1gFlower, general use
Precision pocket0.01gSmall amounts, better flower
Milligram scale0.001gConcentrates, precision

When Readings Matter Most

  • Verifying purchases: Need accuracy
  • Consistent dosing: Need precision
  • Making edibles: Need both
  • Casual use: Either works


Summary

Understanding scale specs helps you:

1. Choose right accuracy for your needs

2. Interpret readings correctly

3. Identify problems when they occur

4. Not overpay for unnecessary precision

For most cannabis flower use, 0.1g accuracy is sufficient. For concentrates or precision work, 0.001g is essential. Don't be fooled by extra decimal places—readability isn't the same as accuracy.


This guide is for educational purposes. Always comply with local laws regarding cannabis.

Frequently Asked Questions

āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ„āļ·āļ­āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđƒāļāļĨāđ‰āđ€āļ„āļĩāļĒāļ‡āļāļąāļšāļ™āđ‰āļģāļŦāļ™āļąāļāļˆāļĢāļīāļ‡āļ—āļĩāđˆāđ€āļ„āļĢāļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡āļŠāļąāđˆāļ‡āļ­āđˆāļēāļ™ āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāļ„āļ·āļ­āļ„āļ§āļēāļĄāļŠāļĄāđˆāļģāđ€āļŠāļĄāļ­āļ‚āļ­āļ‡āļāļēāļĢāļ­āđˆāļēāļ™āļ„āđˆāļēāđ€āļ”āļĩāļĒāļ§āļāļąāļ™ āļĄāļēāļ•āļĢāļēāļŠāđˆāļ§āļ™āļŠāļēāļĄāļēāļĢāļ–āđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāđāļ•āđˆāđ„āļĄāđˆāļ–āļđāļāļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡ (āļœāļīāļ”āļ­āļĒāđˆāļēāļ‡āļ•āđˆāļ­āđ€āļ™āļ·āđˆāļ­āļ‡) āļŦāļĢāļ·āļ­āđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģāđāļ•āđˆāđ„āļĄāđˆāđāļĄāđˆāļ™āļĒāļģ (āđāļ›āļĢāļœāļąāļ™āđāļ•āđˆāļ„āđˆāļēāđ€āļ‰āļĨāļĩāđˆāļĒāļ–āļđāļāļ•āđ‰āļ­āļ‡) āđ€āļāļĨāđ‡āļ”āļ—āļĩāđˆāļ”āļĩāļĄāļĩāļ—āļąāđ‰āļ‡

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