A gram scale is a helpful piece of equipment to have on hand for a variety of reasons. It’s beneficial when you need to weigh small items, such as jewelry, food and letters. It can also be used in professional environments, such as labs or hospitals, and at home. If you’re buying one for the first time, you may be pleasantly surprised at all of the features that are available.

Some gram scales offer up to .00001 gram resolution. This means that it can detect almost imperceptible weight for increased accuracy whether you’re weighing ingredients for a recipe or weighing a specific amount of medication. These types of scales are commonly used in medical settings, where a high degree of accuracy is critical.

Some of these scales are small enough to fit in a pocket. Stainless steel scales are easy to clean and won’t rust or scratch. Many have simple digital interfaces and backlit displays for convenience. Some models have a removable cover which doubles as a weighing tray, effectively doubling the surface area available to weigh items. You can simply wipe them clean after each use to keep them looking new.

Many scales offer unique features that add to the versatility of this tool. The tare feature is convenient when you’re weighing a lot of small items at once, or when measuring loose ingredients. This function accounts for the bag, bowl or package holding the items, so the only thing that’s weighed is the contents of the container. Some scales have a feature that will count the items on it, instead of weighing them. This is convenient if you have a large amount of coins to count.

In addition, you can measure in different modes, including grams, ounces and grains. This is handy if you’re following a recipe that calls for various ingredients of different weights. With the touch of a button, you can choose which mode to use, and switch between modes without missing a beat. Some scales offer the option to add and total weights as you go, so you can get a cumulative weight for different things you add to the scale.

Accuracy is everything when it comes to scales, so many have features that ensure error-proof results. Easy calibration means you’ll get precise weights every time. Some scales come with a pad to help eliminate vibrations which can affect your results. Others feature built-in liquid levels, so you can always be sure your scale is on a perfectly flat surface, which is necessary for accurate results. Protective windscreens can eliminate airflow, which can affect readings on highly-sensitive scales.

Whether you choose a pocket-sized model or a desktop model, a battery-operated gram scale or one that runs on AC power, knowing what options are available will help you choose the right scale to fit your needs.