ACCURACY: The largest possible error in the displayed weight value as compared to the "known standard." Because the actual weight of a given mass is affected by so many factors (for example: altitude, atmospheric pressure, drafts, sound vibrations, etc.), most often you will not see a specification for accuracy on standard type scales. However, on high precision scale and balances, most often a specification for accuracy will be listed.

REPEATABILITY OR PRECISION: The ability of a scale to duplicate the same value when identical samples are loaded and reloaded in succession. Simply put, it's getting the same answer for the same sample repeatedly. Precision is not accuracy; a scale can repeatedly give an incorrect value. Scale performance is a function of both accuracy and precision.

SENSITIVITY OR RESOLUTION: The smallest possible weight change "detectable" by a scale. There are two types of resolution: displayed and count.

DISPLAYED OR EXTERNAL RESOLUTION: The smallest possible weight change that can be displayed. A scale with a 100 lb. capacity and a sensitivity of 0.01 lb. would have an external resolution of one part (or count or graduation) in 10,000. External resolution is used to evaluate scales in weighing applications (not counting applications).

COUNT OR INTERNAL RESOLUTION: The smallest possible weight change that can be displayed when a scale is in the "count mode." Internal resolution is only relevant to counting applications; it can be as much as ten times greater than the external resolution.

SAFE OVERLOAD CAPACITY: This measures that amount of weight that can safely be placed on a scale without calibration change of movement of the overload stops.

ULTIMATE OVERLOAD CAPACITY: The maximum load that can be placed on a scale without irreparably damaging the scale load cell or steel (or plastic) structure.

WEIGHING CAPACITY: The maximum load that can be weighed on a particular scale.