Analytical Balance Calibration: Tests, Certificates, Intervals and Prices
Analytical balance calibration at MNM Scales is $95.00 for a 0.1 mg balance with an in-house certificate or $395.00 with a NIST-traceable certificate, nationwide by mail or on-site in the Houston area.
Short answer: analytical balance calibration compares your 0.1 mg (or finer) balance against certified test weights, records how far it reads from the true value, adjusts it if needed and documents the result on a certificate, after a technician checks repeatability, eccentricity (corner loading), linearity and sensitivity. At MNM Scales, 0.1 mg balances are $95 in-house or $395 NIST, 0.01 mg balances are $295 or $1,095, and microbalances such as the A&D BM-5 are $995 or $2,995. Mail your balance to us from anywhere in the U.S., or book on-site service in the Houston area. Calibration is usually done 1 to 3 business days after we receive it.
Balance and calibration guides from MNM Scales
- Analytical balance calibration: tests, certificates, intervals and prices (you are here)
- Analytical balance price, tier by tier
- Analytical balance preventive maintenance checklist
- In-house vs NIST-traceable calibration certificate
- How often should a scale be calibrated?
- Calibration weights by capacity and readability
Analytical balance calibration prices
| Balance readability | Typical balances | In-house calibration + certificate | NIST calibration + NIST-traceable certificate | Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 mg (analytical) | A&D HR-100AZ, RADWAG AS 220.R1 PLUS, OHAUS PR124/E, A&D GX-124AN | $95 | $395 | Add $95 / Add $395 |
| 0.01 mg (semi-micro) | Five-place balances | $295 | $1,095 | Get a Quote |
| Micro (e.g. A&D BM-5) | Microbalances | $995 | $2,995 | Add $995 / Add $2,995 |
Force-restoration balances are calibrated too, priced by the same readability tiers. Precision balances that read 0.001 g or coarser are priced by capacity, starting at $95 in-house and $395 NIST for balances up to 2.2 kg. Not sure which tier your balance is in? Request a quote with the brand, model and readability.
What a technician checks during analytical balance calibration
- Repeatability: the same weight is placed and removed several times. The spread of the readings (standard deviation) shows how consistently the balance returns the same value. It also sets the smallest sample you can weigh with confidence.
- Eccentricity (corner load): one weight is read in the center of the pan and then toward the front, back, left and right. Differences show whether position on the pan changes the result.
- Linearity: weights at several points across the range are compared to their certified values, so the balance reads true at low, middle and high loads, not only at one point.
- Sensitivity (span): a weight near capacity checks that the full-scale reading is right. If it is out of tolerance, the balance is adjusted and then re-tested.
Readings are recorded as found and, after any adjustment, as left. Analytical work calls for high-accuracy test weights; see calibration weight classes for how weight classes match balance readability.
Internal adjustment vs external calibration
Many analytical balances, such as the A&D HR-100AZ and A&D GX-124AN, have a built-in weight that adjusts sensitivity at the touch of a key or automatically when the temperature changes. That internal adjustment keeps the balance on target between visits. External calibration with certified test weights checks the whole weighing range, including repeatability, corner loading and linearity, and produces the certificate an auditor or customer asks for. Balances with external calibration only, such as the RADWAG AS 220.R1 PLUS and OHAUS PR124/E, are adjusted with a calibration weight. Read internal vs external calibration balances for a deeper comparison.
How often to calibrate an analytical balance
Set the interval by how the balance is used. Many labs calibrate at least once a year with a certificate, and more often for heavy use, regulated work or after a balance is moved, dropped or repaired. Between calibrations, run quick checks with a known weight and use internal adjustment if your balance has it. Our guide to how often a scale should be calibrated gives intervals by use, and the analytical balance preventive maintenance checklist covers daily and weekly care.
In-house certificate vs NIST-traceable certificate
Both options include a certificate. In-house calibration uses NIST-tested weights and includes a calibration certificate, a good fit for everyday QC and internal records. NIST calibration includes a NIST-traceable certificate that documents traceability for labs, audits and customers that require it. See NIST calibration certificate vs in-house and our NIST calibration certificate service.
Mail-in and on-site analytical balance calibration
By mail: mail-in calibration is available nationwide by mail, with in-house calibration and NIST calibration. Calibration is usually done 1 to 3 business days after we receive your balance. On-site: technicians calibrate at labs, pharmacies and plants across the Houston area and suburbs, including Cypress, Katy, The Woodlands, Sugar Land and Pearland. The on-site service call is $295 plus $2 per mile round trip, and each balance is priced by its tier. See balance calibration in Houston to book a visit. Buying a new balance? Add calibration to your order and we calibrate it before it ships.
Analytical balances in stock, ready to calibrate before they ship
| Analytical balance | Capacity x readability | Price | Calibration | NTEP status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A&D HR-100AZ Galaxy | 102 g x 0.1 mg | $1,185.00 (reg. $2,740.00) | Internal (built-in weight) | Non-NTEP |
| RADWAG AS 220.R1 PLUS | 220 g x 0.1 mg | $1,499.00 (reg. $2,251.00) | External | Non-NTEP |
| OHAUS PR124/E | 120 g x 0.1 mg | $2,011.00 (reg. $2,372.00) | External | Non-NTEP |
| A&D GX-124AN Apollo | 122 g x 0.1 mg | $2,185.00 (reg. $3,640.00) | Internal (built-in weight) | NTEP Class I (CC 21-045A3) |
Prices and stock are from our live store on November 10, 2026. Each of these balances is in the 0.1 mg tier: add in-house calibration ($95) or NIST calibration ($395) to your cart with the balance.
Need it legal for trade? Here is an NTEP alternative for each model: the A&D GX-124AN for the HR-100AZ or PR124/E; the RADWAG AS 220.R2 PLUS NTEP for the AS 220.R1 PLUS.
Why choose MNM Scales for analytical balance calibration
- TDA-licensed service company with registered technicians.
- Authorized dealer for every brand we sell, including A&D, OHAUS, RADWAG and Sartorius, and one of the largest scale distributors.
- We repair all brands and types of scales, in our Cypress, TX shop and on-site in the Houston area.
- Clear tier pricing for 0.1 mg, 0.01 mg and micro balances, with in-house and NIST certificates.
Request your analytical balance calibration
Ready to schedule? Send us the brand, model and readability of each balance, and whether you need an in-house or NIST-traceable certificate. Call (832) 290-3120 or request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is analytical balance calibration?
It is a check of a 0.1 mg (or finer) balance against certified test weights, with adjustment if needed and a certificate that records the results.
What tests are part of analytical balance calibration?
Repeatability, eccentricity (corner loading), linearity across the range and sensitivity near capacity, recorded as found and as left.
What does calibration cost for 0.1 mg, 0.01 mg and micro balances?
0.1 mg balances are $95 in-house or $395 NIST. 0.01 mg balances are $295 or $1,095. Microbalances such as the A&D BM-5 are $995 or $2,995.
Is internal adjustment the same as calibration?
No. Internal adjustment keeps sensitivity on target between visits. Calibration with certified test weights checks the whole range and produces a certificate.
Can I mail my analytical balance in for calibration?
Yes. Calibration is available nationwide by mail, with in-house calibration and NIST calibration, and is usually done 1 to 3 business days after we receive the balance.