Calibration is essential to ensure a weighing scale or balance’s accuracy. Frequent calibration shows the device is linear in its precision, allowing for more experiments with fewer chances of errors. There are two methods to perform a calibration: internal and external calibration.

The process for an internal calibration is simple, you calibrate with a weight inside the balance. It can happen automatically if the balance has a setting for that or if someone presses the cal key. The advantage is that the user does not need a weight to calibrate the balance. Nonetheless, there are those who need to verify the calibration with their certified external mass. They use a set of approved calibration weights for traceability, accuracy and efficient data collection. The internal calibration may refer to an automatic process of calibrating while external calibration uses the manual method.