How to use a pipette: Accuracy and precision (video)

How to use a pipette: Accuracy and precision

Hi everyone, before we start it is important that you understand the difference between the terms accuracy and precision. Accuracy refers to how close the value is to the value you set the pipette to, e.g. if you set your pipette to 300 microlitres how much is actually dispensed. Accuracy can vary depending on whether a pipette has been calibrated correctly.

Accuracy can vary depending on whether a pipette has been calibrated correctly, but the way a person pipettes also affects accuracy. Precision, on the other hand, measures how accurately the pipette maintains a target volume over multiple dispensings. So if you dispense 300 microlitres, how close the individual dispensings are to each other.

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