Beekeeping Scale: Weighing Hives, Supers and Honey

A beekeeping scale tells you what is in the hive without pulling a single frame, and our first pick is the MNM Scales portable utility bench scale: 250 lb capacity on a 12 × 10 in platform for $218.00, in stock.

Beekeepers weigh hives to see whether a colony is bringing in nectar, whether it has enough stores heading into winter, and how much honey came off at harvest. Weight changes tell you a lot between inspections and save the colony from being opened more than it needs to be. This guide covers which scale fits each job, how to weigh a hive without lifting it, and when you need an NTEP scale to sell honey.

Beekeeping scales in stock at live prices

Scale	Capacity	Platform	NTEP	Best for	Price
MNM Scales portable utility bench scale	250 lb	12 × 10 in	Not NTEP (general purpose)	Supers, buckets and tip-weighing hives	$218.00
MNM Scales floor scale kit	1,000 lb	Build your own platform	Not NTEP (general purpose)	A permanent hive stand or several hives on one platform	$269.00
Torrey EQB-100/200	200 lb × 0.05 lb	15 × 19 in	NTEP Class III (CC 98-206A2)	Selling honey by weight, tower display, rechargeable battery	$283.00 (reg. $434.00)

What to weigh and why

• The whole hive, over time. A rising weight during a flow means the colony is storing nectar; a falling weight means it is eating its stores.
• Winter stores. Weighing in fall shows whether a colony needs feeding. Ask your local beekeeping association for the target weight in your climate.
• Supers at harvest. Weigh each full super, then weigh it again empty after extraction. The difference is your honey yield.
• Honey buckets and jars. Track totals from each extraction and fill containers to a consistent weight.

How to weigh a hive without lifting it

You can estimate a full hive’s weight with a bench scale by weighing one end at a time:

1. Set the scale under the front edge of the hive and a block of the same height under the back edge, so the hive sits level.
2. Read the scale. This is the front half of the load.
3. Move the scale to the back edge and the block to the front, and read it again.
4. Add the two readings. The sum is the hive’s total weight.
5. Weigh the same way, at the same time of day, each time so the readings compare.

For a hive you want to watch every day, build it onto a scale instead. The MNM Scales floor scale kit lets you build a 1,000 lb platform that the hive sits on full time. If you are building a smaller DIY hive scale, our single point load cell guide and load cell parts cover the sensor side.

Do you need an NTEP scale to sell honey?

If you sell honey by weight, the scale you use to price or label it must be NTEP approved and legal for trade. The MNM Scales bench scale and floor scale kit in this guide are general-purpose scales for hive management; for sales, use the Torrey EQB-100/200, which is NTEP Class III under CC 98-206A2, at $283.00. Check with your state weights and measures office for local rules, and read what NTEP and legal for trade mean.

Choosing a beekeeping scale

• Capacity: more than the heaviest super, bucket or half-hive you will weigh, with margin.
• Platform: big enough for a super or bucket to sit flat.
• Portability: a portable bench scale goes from yard to yard; a hive-stand scale stays put.
• NTEP: only needed when you sell by weight.

Calibration and repair

The 250 lb bench scale and the 200 lb Torrey are in our 35–150 kg calibration tier: $350.00 in-house with a certificate or $750.00 NIST-traceable. A 1,000 lb floor scale built from the kit is in the over 150 kg tier: $495.00 or $995.00. Mail-in calibration is available nationwide by mail, for in-house and NIST certificates. On-site calibration across Houston and its suburbs is $295 plus $2 per mile round trip. We repair all brands and types of scales through our Houston scale repair service.

Notes from our Cypress, TX shop

• Weigh on the same schedule. Same time of day and same method make weight trends meaningful.
• Keep a log. Date, hive, weight and the weather are enough to spot a flow or a dearth.
• Check the scale with a known weight before harvest so your yield numbers hold up.
• Selling at a market? Bring an NTEP scale like the Torrey EQB-100/200.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best beekeeping scale?

For supers, buckets and tip-weighing hives, the MNM Scales 250 lb portable utility bench scale at $218.00. For a permanent hive stand, the 1,000 lb floor scale kit at $269.00.

How do I weigh a beehive?

Weigh one end at a time: put the scale under one edge and a block of the same height under the other, read it, swap them, and add the two readings for the total.

Why weigh a beehive?

Weight shows whether a colony is storing nectar or using stores, whether it needs feeding before winter, and how much honey you harvested, without opening the hive.

Do I need an NTEP scale to sell honey?

Yes, if you sell by weight. The Torrey EQB-100/200 is NTEP Class III (CC 98-206A2) at $283.00. The MNM Scales models in this guide are general-purpose scales, not NTEP.

How do I measure my honey harvest?

Weigh each full super before extraction and again empty afterward. The difference is the honey you took off.

How much does it cost to calibrate a beekeeping scale?

Scales from 35 to 150 kg are $350.00 in-house or $750.00 NIST; over 150 kg is $495.00 or $995.00. On-site in Houston is $295 plus $2 per mile round trip.