--- title: "Accuracy in volumetric measurement | VITLAB knowledge base" url: "https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/accuracy" description: "What does \"tolerance, accuracy, coefficient of variation, and precision\" mean in volumetric measurements? " date: 2025-07-03 modified: 2026-03-03 lastUpdated: 2026-03-20 site: VITLAB GmbH --- # Accuracy in volumetric measurement | VITLAB knowledge base - EN - [DE](https://www.vitlab.com/de/service-support/wissen/genauigkeit) - [ES](https://www.vitlab.com/es/servicio-y-asistencia/conocimiento/precision) - [FR](https://www.vitlab.com/fr/service-et-assistance/savoir/precision) back - [Products](https://www.vitlab.com/javascript:void(0)) - [Liquid Handling](https://www.vitlab.com/products/liquid-handling) - [Volumetric Measurement](https://www.vitlab.com/products/volumetric-measurement) - [General Lab Products](https://www.vitlab.com/products/general-lab-products) - [Food & Beverage](https://www.vitlab.com/products/food-beverage) - [Bottles](https://www.vitlab.com/products/bottles) - [Promotional](https://www.vitlab.com/company/promotional) - [Service & Support](https://www.vitlab.com/javascript:void(0)) - [Certificates of Performance](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/certificates) - [Downloads](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/downloads) - [Knowledge](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge) - [Videos](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/videos) - [Compliance](https://www.vitlab.com/javascript:void(0)) - [Compliance at VITLAB](https://www.vitlab.com/compliance/compliance-at-vitlab) - [Code of Conduct](https://www.vitlab.com/compliance/code-of-conduct) - [REACH Regulation](https://www.vitlab.com/compliance/reach-regulation) - [More](https://www.vitlab.com/compliance/compliance-at-vitlab) - [Company](https://www.vitlab.com/javascript:void(0)) - [About VITLAB](https://www.vitlab.com/company/about-vitlab) - [Newsroom](https://www.vitlab.com/company/newsroom) - [Certified quality](https://www.vitlab.com/company/certified-quality) - [Service & Logistics](https://www.vitlab.com/company/service-logistics) - [Promotional](https://www.vitlab.com/company/promotional) - [Fairs & Exhibitions](https://www.vitlab.com/company/fairs-exhibitions) - [Jobs](https://group.brand.de/en/about-us/about-us) - [Distributors](https://www.vitlab.com/javascript:void(0)) - [Distributors Worldwide](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide) - [Distributors Africa](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide/africa) - [Distributors Asia](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide/asia) - [Distributors Australia / New Zealand](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide/australia-newzealand) - [Distributors Central / Latin America](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide/central-latinamerica) - [Distributors Europe](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide/europe) - [Distributors North America / Canada](https://www.vitlab.com/distributors/worldwide/northamerica-canada) - [Contact](https://www.vitlab.com/javascript:void(0)) - [Contact us](https://www.vitlab.com/contact/contact-us) - [ ](https://www.vitlab.com/suche "search") [ ](https://www.vitlab.com/ "Startpage VITLAB GmbH") [ ](https://www.vitlab.com/contact/contact-us "contact") Menu Accuracy What do "tolerance, accuracy, coefficient of variation, and precision" mean in volumetric measurements? ================================================================================================================== Graphic illustration of precision and accuracy The dart board simulates the volume range around the centred nominal value, the white dots simulate the different measured values of a specified volume. ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/3/5/csm_csm_Zielscheibe-1_b71141b568_961b0cd662.png) **Good** **accuracy**: All hits are near the centre, i.e., the nominal value. **Good** **precision**: All hits are close together. **Result**: The manufacturing process is well controlled by an accompanying quality assurance program. Minimal systematic deviations and a narrow variance in products. The permissible limits are not exceeded. There are no rejects. ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/c/b/csm_csm_Zielscheibe-2_598be466f9_303c7b033a.png) **Good** **accuracy**: On average, the hits are evenly distributed around the centre. **Poor** **precision**: No substantial errors, but hits widely scattered. **Result**: All deviations are "equally probable". Instruments exceeding the permissible tolerance should be rejected. ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/e/1/csm_csm_Zielscheibe-3_20c2026524_13a3753427.png) **Poor accuracy**: Although all hits are close together, the centre (nominal value) is still missed. **Good** **precision**: All hits are close together. **Result**: Improperly controlled production, with systematic deviation. Instruments exceeding the permissible tolerance should be rejected. ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/9/d/csm_csm_Zielscheibe-4_ccb709f764_0e340d70b6.png) **Poor accuracy**: The hits are far removed from the centre. **Poor precision**: The hits are widely scattered. **Result**: These volumetric instruments are of inferior Quality. Calculations formulae ----------------------- The accuracy of glass volumetric instruments is commonly defined by “Tolerance Limits”, whereas for liquid handling instruments the statistical terms “Accuracy \[%\]” and “Coefficient of Variation \[%\]” have been established. Tolerance ----------- ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/0/c/csm_Toleranz-EN_05be9d614d.png) The term “tolerance” (tol.) in the corresponding standards defines the maximum permissible deviation from the nominal value. Accuracy ---------- ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/9/0/csm_Richtigkeit-EN_fdddc2c50d.png) Accuracy (A) indicates the closeness of measured mean volume to the nominal value, i.e., systematic measurement deviation. Accuracy is defined as the difference between the measured mean volume (⊽) and the nominal value (Vnom.), related to the nominal value in percent. Coefficient of Variation -------------------------- ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/c/4/csm_Variationskoeffizient-EN_96a782af04.png) Accuracy (A) indicates the closeness of measured mean volume to the nominal value, i.e., systematic measurement deviation. Accuracy is defined as the difference between the measured mean volume (⊽) and the nominal value (Vnom.), related to the nominal value in percent. Partial volumes ----------------- ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/9/1/csm_Teilvolumen-EN_55822da289.png) (analogous to CVT %) Generally, A and CV are based on the actual volume (Vact.). These data in percent must be converted to partial volumes (Vpart.). By contrast, there is no conversion for partial volumes if A and CV are stated in volume units (e.g. ml). Tolerance from A and CV ------------------------- ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/f/3/csm_ToleranzRVK-EN_8044e147c7.png) To a good approximation, the tolerance, e.g. for the actual volume (Vact.), can be calculated from the accuracy and coefficient of variation. Precision ----------- If the variance in the individual measurement results about the mean volume ⊽ is given in units of volume, this relates to precision. All knowledge base articles ----------------------------- [ ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/3/5/csm_csm_Zielscheibe-1_b71141b568_8e5ab94999.png) ](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/accuracy "Accuracy") [Accuracy](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/accuracy "Accuracy") What do tolerance, coefficient of variation, and precision mean in regard to volumetric measurements? [ more information ](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/accuracy "Accuracy") [ ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/8/b/csm_csm_Disp-neu_ea931bad67_58500c7233.png) ](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/dosing "Dosing") [Dosing](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/dosing "Dosing") Drawing quantities of liquids from large supply bottles is a daily routine in the lab. [ more information ](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/dosing "Dosing") [ ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/8/0/csm_Buerette-neu_web_d4b7d3cdca.png) ](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/titration "Titration") [Titration](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/titration "Titration") With innovative dosing technique Chemical volumteric analysis with small and the most minute liquid volumes requires substantial concentration. [ more information ](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/titration "Titration") [ ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/1/0/csm_csm_Medium-abgeben_Einkanal_de1b850d5d_b5e9dcc264.jpg) ](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/pipetting "Pipetting") [Pipetting](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/pipetting "Pipetting") Handling of air-interface pipettes. For exact and precise analytical results, the following points should be considered, independent of the pipetting technique. [ more information ](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/pipetting "Pipetting") [ ![](https://www.vitlab.com/fileadmin/_processed_/b/7/csm_4_64904_bf817a17dd.jpg) ](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/volume-measurement "Volume Measurement") [Volume Measurement](https://www.vitlab.com/service-support/knowledge/volume-measurement "Volume Measurement") Volumetric instruments such as volumetric flasks, measuring cylinders and pipettes are standard equipment in any analytical laboratory. 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