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Calcimator

Pipette Calibration Calculator

Verify pipette accuracy and precision using the gravimetric method (ISO 8655) with Z-factor temperature correction.

Inputs

Results

Overall pass (1=yes, 0=no)

0

Mean dispensed volume (μL)100.27
Accuracy error (μL)0.27
Accuracy error (%)0.27
CV% (precision)0.21
Standard deviation (μL)0.21
Range (μL)0.5
Z-factor (μL/mg)1
ISO accuracy limit (%)0.8
ISO precision limit (%)0.2
Accuracy pass (1/0)1
Precision pass (1/0)0
Z Factor1
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the pipette's nominal volume setting in microliters.
  2. Input the measured gravimetric weight in milligrams from 10 replicate dispenses.
  3. Set the water temperature for density correction (typically 20-25°C).
  4. Review the calculated mean volume, systematic error (%), and CV% for precision.
  5. If error exceeds ±2% or CV exceeds 1%, send the pipette for recalibration before use.

What each input means

Nominal volume (μL)
Target pipette volume setting in microliters.
Mass reading 1 (mg)
First gravimetric measurement (mass of dispensed water in mg).
Mass reading 2 (mg)
Second gravimetric measurement.
Mass reading 3 (mg)
Third gravimetric measurement.
Mass reading 4 (mg)
Fourth gravimetric measurement.
Mass reading 5 (mg)
Fifth gravimetric measurement.
Lab temperature (°C)
Ambient lab temperature for Z-factor correction (15-30 °C).

What each result means

Overall pass (1=yes, 0=no)
Whether the pipette passes both ISO 8655 accuracy and precision limits.
Mean dispensed volume (μL)
Mean volume from 5 gravimetric measurements, corrected by Z-factor.
Accuracy error (μL)
Systematic error: mean dispensed - nominal volume.
Accuracy error (%)
Systematic error as percentage of nominal volume.
CV% (precision)
Coefficient of variation: (std dev / mean) × 100%. Measures repeatability.
Standard deviation (μL)
Standard deviation of the 5 volume measurements.
Range (μL)
Difference between highest and lowest measurements.
Z-factor (μL/mg)
Temperature-corrected volume conversion factor for water.
ISO accuracy limit (%)
Maximum allowable systematic error per ISO 8655 for this volume.
ISO precision limit (%)
Maximum allowable CV% per ISO 8655 for this volume.
Accuracy pass (1/0)
1 if accuracy error is within ISO 8655 tolerance.
Precision pass (1/0)
1 if CV% is within ISO 8655 tolerance.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Nominal volume (μL) = 100, Mass reading 1 (mg) = 99.8, Mass reading 2 (mg) = 100.1, Mass reading 3 (mg) = 99.9 = 7 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Overall pass
    Overall pass
    0 = 0
  3. Calculate Mean dispensed volume
    100.27 = 100.27
  4. Calculate Accuracy error
    Accuracy error = meanVolume - nominalVolumeUL
    0.27 = 0.27

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