Weighing scales

[Shelle]

Does anyone know to check if a scale is accurate?  I have two scales in the house, with one bought recently at christmas.  They are both digital, same brand, and the only difference is the newest one has an additional feature of measuring body fat.  Why am I asking?  Well there is a difference of 4 pounds in weight between them!  Obviously I prefer the one that makes me lighter, but I am curious as to how do I know which one is right and which one is wrong?

[deetyork]

Try measuring known weights e.g. bags of sugar, the innacurate scale might show a tiny difference e.g. if you weigh 5kg of sugar, the inaccurate scale might show 4.99 kg or 5.01!

[Loosehead]

trouble is most strain guage scales are notoriously variable. I have some balance scales and I weigh 10lbs heavier on them that the scales in my Gym! You can test them by weighing something of a known weight. The heavier the better.

[uk-vanman]

personnaly i would not use a bag of sugar or flour

but a known weight , like the ones used on an old set of balance scales, as used for many yerars in grocers

and other food shops , might be hard to find though

or a bit of a waste

 

enjoy

de paul

[Hamish]

a good way to get a known weight is to weigh water. It has a mass of 1g per ml. so 1L = 1Kg

[Francis Asis]

I read somewhere that a soft floor (eg carpet) will give a lower reading.

Hamish - that's a useful piece of imformation. Thanks

[landie]

Yes and standing on one leg to weigh yourself can also knock a few pounds off.