Pancake Load Cell Guide: Low-Profile Cells from 1,000 to 500,000 lb
Shop our top pancake load cell: the MNM Scales IDS-672-10K, 10,000 lb, on sale for $349.00 (regular $890.00), in stock.
Short answer: A pancake load cell is a low-profile, disk-shaped load cell that measures a load pushed (or pulled) through its center hub while the outer ring sits on a flat base. Pick one when you need high capacity in very little height: presses, test rigs, proof-load checks and the legs of tanks and hoppers. For 10,000 lb jobs, start with the MNM Scales IDS-672-10K at $349.00. For lighter work, the IDS-672-1K and IDS-672-2K are $259.00 each. For big compression loads, the 100,000 lb IDS-672-100klb-C3 is $698.00 and the 500,000 lb CP-1-500K is $1,698.00.
Top pick: MNM Scales IDS-672-10K pancake load cell, 10,000 lb
On sale for $349.00 (regular $890.00), in stock. The IDS-672-10K is a steel, pancake-style tension/compression load cell rated at 10,000 lb, and the listing includes a certificate with the cell. It is a good middle-of-the-range size for press checks, fixtures and four-cell tank legs. Free shipping in the continental U.S. Call us to confirm the capacity and mounting before you order.
Pancake load cells in stock at live prices
| Pancake load cell | Capacity | Price | NTEP status | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MNM Scales IDS-672-1K | 1,000 lb | $259.00 (reg. $599.00) | Non-NTEP | Light press checks, fixtures, small test rigs |
| MNM Scales IDS-672-2K | 2,000 lb | $259.00 (reg. $599.00) | Non-NTEP | Spring and component testing, small hoppers |
| MNM Scales IDS-672-3K-CT | 3,000 lb | $299.00 (reg. $450.00) | Non-NTEP | Tension or compression fixtures, small tank legs |
| MNM Scales IDS-672-10K | 10,000 lb | $349.00 (reg. $890.00) | Non-NTEP | Press force checks, four-cell tank and hopper legs |
| MNM Scales IDS-672-25K-CT | 25,000 lb | $398.00 (reg. $900.00) | Non-NTEP | Heavy fixtures, large vessels, structural tests |
| MNM Scales IDS-672-100klb-C3 | 100,000 lb | $698.00 (reg. $998.00) | Non-NTEP | Large presses and silo legs |
| MNM Scales CP-1-500K | 500,000 lb | $1,698.00 (reg. $2,898.00) | Non-NTEP | Very high-capacity compression and CP-style cell replacement |
Prices and stock are from our live store on November 9, 2026. Browse every size in load cells or the MNM Scales load cell line.
What is a pancake load cell?
A pancake load cell, also called a low-profile or low-profile disk (LPD) load cell, is a short, round steel body with strain gauges bonded inside. The load enters through the center hub and the outer rim rests on a flat support, so the cell bends a tiny, repeatable amount and produces a millivolt signal that an indicator turns into a weight or force reading. Because the body is wide and short, a pancake cell carries a very high rated load in a short package.
The IDS-672 cells on our site are listed as tension/compression, so they can measure a push on the hub or a pull through the center thread when fitted with the right hardware. The CP-1-500K is a low-profile disk compression load cell built for very large loads. For a side-by-side look at every load cell family, see load cell types.
Pancake vs S-type vs other load cells
Choose a pancake load cell when height is tight and the load is high: under a press ram, between a fixture and a base plate, or under the legs of a tank. Choose an S-type load cell when you need a pull reading on a cable, chain or hanging hopper at lower capacities, or a simple inline sensor for a test frame. Our tension load cell guide covers rigging and pull tests. For a capacity-by-capacity view across all types, read the load cell buying guide, and see the load cell price guide for what each type typically costs.
How to size a pancake load cell
- Add the heaviest load you will apply to any fixed weight resting on the cell (platen, fixture, vessel).
- For multi-cell systems, divide the total by the number of cells, then size up: real loads are rarely shared evenly, and wind, agitation or a dropped load can spike one corner.
- Example: a 20,000 lb tank on four legs is 5,000 lb per leg on paper. A 10,000 lb cell per leg leaves room for uneven loading and impact.
- Keep the working load well below the rated capacity, and protect against shock loads with soft starts, stops or mechanical overload stops.
- Choose the smallest capacity that still leaves that headroom. Oversizing too far spends resolution you may need at the low end.
Mounting, base plates and threads
A pancake load cell reads best when it is mounted well. Seat the cell on a flat, level, rigid base plate that supports the whole rim. Bring the load straight down the center axis through a load button, a threaded adapter or the press ram, and keep side loads and twisting off the cell. In tension setups, use rod ends or clevises in the center thread so the pull stays in line. Route the cable away from heat and moving parts, and leave a drip loop outdoors.
In tanks and hoppers, the cells usually tie into a summing load cell junction box before the indicator. Our tank weighing load cells guide covers leg layout, mounting and complete kits.
Want a reading out of the box? Get a pancake cell with a display
A bare pancake cell needs an indicator, wiring and a system calibration before it shows a number. If you want a ready-to-read setup, choose one of our compression scale kits: a pancake load cell, a portable indicator and a power cord, from 2,000 to 100,000 lb. See our load cell with display guide or shop tension and compression scales. For the difference between a kit, a force gauge and a bare cell, read compression scale vs force gauge vs load cell.
The pancake load cells on this page are non-NTEP industrial and force-measurement cells. For selling by weight, see what NTEP and legal for trade mean.
Wiring and indicator matching
Match the cell to the indicator before you power it up: excitation voltage, rated output (mV/V), the number of cells the indicator can drive and 4-wire or 6-wire connections. Then calibrate the complete system with known loads. Our scale indicator buying guide explains what to check, how to test a load cell walks through zero balance and resistance checks, and load cell calibration explained covers deadweight and in-system checks.
Why buy your pancake load cell from MNM Scales
- Authorized dealer for every brand we sell, and one of the largest scale distributors.
- We supply 100,000 lb load cells to aerospace customers, and our customers nationwide include oil and gas, car makers and suspension makers.
- Stock ships from our Houston-area warehouse in Cypress, TX, with free shipping in the continental U.S.
- TDA-licensed service company with registered technicians; we repair all brands and types of scales.
- Need a cell for a short job? Ask about load cell rental.
- Real people on the phone at (832) 290-3120 to confirm capacity, mounting and wiring before you order.
Order your pancake load cell from MNM Scales
Ready to order? For most 10,000 lb press, fixture and tank-leg jobs, buy the IDS-672-10K for $349.00. For heavy compression, choose the 100,000 lb IDS-672-100klb-C3 for $698.00. Not sure which size fits? Call (832) 290-3120 or request a quote with your load, mounting and indicator.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pancake load cell used for?
A pancake load cell measures high compression or tension loads in a low-profile package. Common uses are press force checks, test rigs, proof-load tests and the legs of tanks, hoppers and silos. MNM Scales stocks pancake cells from 1,000 to 500,000 lb.
What is the difference between a pancake load cell and an S-type load cell?
A pancake load cell is short and wide and carries very high loads through a center hub on a flat base. An S-type load cell is an inline sensor that suits pull readings on cables and hanging loads at lower capacities. See our S-type load cell guide for that side.
What capacity pancake load cell do I need?
Add the maximum applied load to any fixed weight on the cell, divide by the number of cells in a multi-cell system, then size up for uneven loading and impact. For example, a 20,000 lb tank on four legs commonly uses 10,000 lb cells.
Can I buy a pancake load cell with a display?
Yes. MNM Scales compression scale kits pair a pancake load cell with a portable indicator and power cord, from 2,000 to 100,000 lb. See our load cell with display guide.
Does MNM Scales carry replacements for CP-style pancake cells?
Yes. The MNM Scales CP-1-500K is a 500,000 lb low-profile disk cell listed as interchangeable with Cardinal CP1 and Revere CP cells. Call (832) 290-3120 to confirm the fit for your system.