Reading Graduated Cylinders
Important Stuff!

Graduated cylinders are used to measure the
volume of liquid samples and are available in
many different sizes.
Reading the Volume from a
Graduated Cylinder



Determine the gradation markings on the GC.
Determine the volume contained in a graduated
cylinder by reading the bottom of the meniscus at eye
level.
Read the volume using all certain digits and one
uncertain digit.
–
–
Certain digits are determined from the calibration marks on the
cylinder.
The uncertain digit (the last digit of the reading) is estimated.

Depending on the size of the graduated
cylinder and the graduations, the uncertain
digit may be to the milliliter ( 1X ), the tenth of a
milliliter ( 1.X ), or the hundredth of a milimeter
( 1.1X ). You will have to look at the graduated
cylinder to determine how many digits to
record!
Steps in brief…

Step 1: Determine the scale increment:
–

Step 2: Use the graduations to find all certain digits:
–

To find the scale increment, subtract the values of any two
adjacent labeled graduations and divide by the number of
intervals between them
Use the labeled graduations and the scale increment to find
the certain digits in the measurement.
Step 3: Estimate the uncertain digit and obtain a
reading:
–
Estimate the distance that the meniscus lies between the two
graduations as a decimal fraction and multiply by the scale
increment
Looking at a 10 mL cylinder

What is the volume you
should record for the
solution in the image to
the right?
–
–
–
6.31 mL correct
6.3 incorrect
WHY?
Looking at a 25 mL cylinder

What is the volume you
should record for the
solution in the image to
the right?
–
–
–
21.50 mL correct
21.5 incorrect
Why?
Looking at a 100 mL cylinder

What is the volume you
should record for the
solution in the image to
the right?
–
–
–
52.8 mL correct
53 mL incorrect
Why?