Milligram Scale Buying Guide: 0.001 g Balances Compared at Live Prices
Our top milligram scale for lab and QC benches is the Sartorius BCE223-1S Entris II, 220 g x 0.001 g with a glass draft shield, on sale for $963.00 (regular $1,470.00), in stock; it is non-NTEP, so if you sell by weight, choose the NTEP Class II A&D FX-323N at $759.00.
Short answer: a milligram scale is a precision balance that reads to 0.001 g (1 mg), and for most labs and QC benches we recommend the Sartorius BCE223-1S at $963.00, with 220 g capacity and a glass draft shield. On a tight budget, the portable A&D EJ-123 is $319.00, and the A&D GX-203A calibrates itself with a built-in weight for $1,179.00; all three are non-NTEP. If you sell by weight, choose an NTEP Class II model such as the A&D FX-323N at $759.00 or the A&D GX-203AN at $1,269.00. Add in-house or NIST calibration before it ships.
Balance guides from MNM Scales
- Milligram scale buying guide: 0.001 g balances at live prices (you are here)
- Analytical balance vs precision balance
- A&D FX-120i vs FX-120iN vs FX-300i
- A&D EJ-123 manual, explained
- Top loading balance buying guide
- Analytical balance calibration
Top pick: Sartorius BCE223-1S Entris II milligram balance, 220 g x 0.001 g
On sale for $963.00 (regular $1,470.00), in stock. The BCE223-1S weighs up to 220 g in 1 mg steps with ±1 mg repeatability and ±2 mg linearity. It settles in about 1 second, has a 120 mm pan inside a glass draft shield with manual doors, and connects by RS232 and USB-C. It calibrates with an external 200 g weight. Call us to match capacity and calibration to your work before you order.
Milligram scales in stock at live prices
| Milligram scale | Capacity x readability | Price | Calibration | NTEP status | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A&D EJ-123 Newton | 120 g x 0.001 g | $319.00 (reg. $630.00) | External (100 g weight, not included) | Non-NTEP | Portable work on AC or 4 AA batteries (not included); breeze break included |
| A&D FX-120i | 122 g x 0.001 g | $799.00 (reg. $1,400.00) | External (100 g or 50 g weight) | Non-NTEP | Compact lab and QC balance, about 1 s readings, RS-232C |
| Sartorius BCE223-1S Entris II | 220 g x 0.001 g | $963.00 (reg. $1,470.00) | External (200 g weight) | Non-NTEP | Everyday lab weighing with a glass draft shield |
| A&D GX-203A Apollo | 220 g x 0.001 g | $1,179.00 (reg. $2,125.00) | Internal (built-in weight) | Non-NTEP | Labs that want automatic calibration; replaces the A&D GX-200 |
| A&D FX-323N | 320 g x 0.001 g | $759.00 (reg. $1,595.00) | External (100 g weight included) | NTEP Class II (e = 0.01 g) | Selling by weight; replaces the FX-300iN |
| A&D GX-203AN Apollo | 220 g x 0.001 g | $1,269.00 (reg. $2,185.00) | Internal (built-in weight) | NTEP Class II (e = 0.01 g) | Legal-for-trade weighing with automatic calibration |
| A&D GX-603AN Apollo | 620 g x 0.001 g | $1,985.00 (reg. $3,410.00) | Internal (built-in weight) | NTEP Class II (e = 0.01 g) | Larger containers and samples, legal for trade |
Prices and stock are from our live store on November 10, 2026. Browse every 1 mg model in milligram scales or, for trade use, our NTEP milligram balances.
Need it legal for trade? Here is an NTEP alternative for each model: the A&D FX-120iN for the EJ-123 or FX-120i; the A&D GX-203AN for the BCE223-1S or GX-203A.
What a milligram scale is, and when you need one
A milligram scale (also called a milligram balance or 3-place balance) shows weight to three decimal places in grams: 0.001 g, or 1 mg. That resolution is what labs, quality-control rooms, formulation and compounding benches, jewelers, schools and reloaders need when a 0.01 g scale rounds away the difference they care about. Readability is only the smallest step on the display; repeatability and linearity tell you how close the balance really is. Our guide to scale readability vs accuracy explains the difference.
1 mg vs 0.01 g vs 0.1 mg: pick the right readability
- 0.01 g (10 mg): a 2-place precision balance. Fine for recipes, larger samples and parts counting, and usually offered in higher capacities.
- 0.001 g (1 mg): the milligram scale. The best balance of resolution, speed and price for small samples from a few hundred milligrams up to several hundred grams.
- 0.1 mg (0.0001 g): an analytical balance. Needed when 1 mg is too coarse, with a fully enclosed draft shield and a more controlled room.
A simple rule: choose a readability about ten times finer than the smallest difference you must see. If you are between two classes, compare them in analytical vs precision balance.
Choosing capacity: 120 g to 620 g
Add the heaviest sample to the container you weigh it in, then leave some headroom. A 120 g or 122 g balance such as the EJ-123 or FX-120i covers powders, small parts and single doses. A 220 g model such as the BCE223-1S or GX-203A handles beakers and weigh boats with room to spare. Step up to the 320 g FX-323N or the 620 g GX-603AN when containers are heavy. Higher capacity does not cost you readability on these models: every one reads to 0.001 g.
What 1 mg readability needs to stay accurate
- Draft shield: at 1 mg, an air vent or a person walking by moves the reading. Use the breeze break or glass draft shield and close it before you read. See how temperature, level and drafts affect scale accuracy.
- Leveling: center the level bubble with the adjustable feet every time the balance is moved, then calibrate.
- Static: plastic weigh boats, powders and dry rooms build static that pushes the reading up or down. An ionizer helps; compare options in our static eliminator guide.
- Warm-up: leave the balance plugged in with an empty pan before you calibrate or weigh critical samples. Check your model’s manual for its warm-up time.
- Stable surface: a heavy bench away from doors, vents and vibrating equipment, or a dedicated balance table for busy labs.
Internal vs external calibration
An external-calibration milligram scale, such as the EJ-123, FX-120i, BCE223-1S or FX-323N, is adjusted with a calibration weight you place on the pan. It costs less, and you need the right mass: see calibration weights for what fits each model. An internal-calibration model, such as the GX-203A, GX-203AN or GX-603AN, has a built-in weight and adjusts itself with one key or automatically when the temperature changes. That keeps a milligram scale on target in rooms that warm up and cool down during the day. Our internal vs external calibration guide compares both in detail.
NTEP milligram scales for selling by weight
If you buy or sell by weight, such as jewelry, precious metals or other products priced per gram, the scale must be NTEP approved and used in its legal-for-trade mode. The FX-323N, GX-203AN and GX-603AN are NTEP Class II models (A&D certificates CC 08-045A6 and 21-045A3). They read to 0.001 g for in-house work and use a verification interval (e) of 0.01 g in legal-for-trade mode. The EJ-123, FX-120i, BCE223-1S and GX-203A are non-NTEP milligram scales for labs, QC and in-house weighing; for selling by weight, see our NTEP milligram balances. Learn more in what NTEP and legal for trade mean.
Replacing an older model? The FX-300iN has been replaced by the FX-323N; see FX-300iN vs FX-323N. The A&D GX-200 has been replaced by the GX-203A. For the FX-120i family, see FX-120i vs FX-120iN vs FX-300i.
Calibrate your milligram scale before it ships
Every milligram scale on this page is a complete balance up to 2.2 kg, so it falls in our first calibration tier. In-house calibration with a certificate (NIST-tested weights) is $95, and NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate is $395. Add either to your cart with the balance and our technicians calibrate it before it ships. Already own one? Calibration is available nationwide by mail, with in-house calibration and NIST calibration. To compare the two certificates, read NIST calibration certificate vs in-house.
Rental, repair and support
Need a milligram scale for a short project or while yours is in service? Scale rentals are available: request a quote or call (832) 290-3120. We also repair all brands and types of scales, in our shop and on-site in the Houston area.
Why buy your milligram scale from MNM Scales
- Authorized dealer for every brand we sell, including A&D and Sartorius, and one of the largest scale distributors.
- Balances ship from our Houston-area warehouse in Cypress, TX, with free shipping in the continental U.S.
- TDA-licensed service company with registered technicians; in-house or NIST calibration can be added before your balance ships.
- Call (832) 290-3120 to match readability, capacity and NTEP status to your work.
Order your milligram scale from MNM Scales
Ready to order? For everyday lab work, buy the Sartorius BCE223-1S for $963.00. For selling by weight, the NTEP A&D FX-323N is $759.00. Not sure which fits? Call (832) 290-3120 or request a quote with your sample size and application.
Frequently asked questions
What is a milligram scale?
A milligram scale is a precision balance that reads to 0.001 g (1 mg). It is used in labs, QC, formulation, jewelry and reloading when a 0.01 g scale is not fine enough.
What is the best milligram scale for a lab?
For most labs, the Sartorius BCE223-1S at $963.00 (220 g x 0.001 g, glass draft shield). For automatic calibration, the A&D GX-203A at $1,179.00 has a built-in calibration weight.
Do I need a draft shield on a milligram scale?
Yes. At 1 mg, air movement changes the reading. Use the breeze break or glass draft shield, level the balance and let it warm up before weighing.
Which milligram scales are legal for trade?
NTEP Class II models such as the A&D FX-323N, GX-203AN and GX-603AN. They read to 0.001 g and use e = 0.01 g in legal-for-trade mode.
Can you calibrate a milligram scale before it ships?
Yes. Add in-house calibration with a certificate ($95) or NIST calibration with a NIST-traceable certificate ($395). Calibration is also available nationwide by mail, with in-house calibration and NIST calibration.