Why do scales vary so much

They can give you a different weight from day to day, or even moment to moment. Sure, the human body fluctuates over the course of the day and there are some crappy scales out there, but even relatively good scales can seem to be wildly inaccurate. Bathroom scales meant for home use display your weight with a dial or on a digital screen. These scales measure your weight in one of two ways: mechanically, with springs, or electronically, with circuits that bend under weight, altering the current coursing through them.

In general, digital bathroom scales are more accurate than mechanical ones. But for the most accurate reading, any bathroom scale must be set up correctly and used consistently. Placing the scale on carpeting or a slant will cause the pressure on the four sensors in the corner of the scale to be uneven, and the reading to be inaccurate. Do your research ahead of time, and you are sure to find an accurate scale.

Not all scales are made equally. Here are some tips that you can use to help you choose the right scale when it comes to accuracy. A scale with a smaller least count is more accurate. A scale with a least count of 0. Most of the best scales will have at least four precision sensors that are used to measure your weight.

Check into the sensors on a bathroom scale before you buy it. Sensitive sensors are best because they can offer a more accurate reading. To get the most accurate results from your scale, choose a scale that will measure to the nearest tenth.

Some scales, for example, may give a reading of pounds, while a more accurate scale may measure to This can be beneficial when it comes to tracking weight gain or loss. The actual platform that you stand on when you step onto your scale can make a difference in the accuracy of your reading. If your feet do not fit all the way on the platform, then you may not get the most accurate reading possible.

Choose a scale that has a large platform that will be comfortable for you to stand on. If you have wide hips or large stature you may really need to consider an extra-wide platform.

No more looking down at the scale to try to read the numbers. You can see our full review of the scale here. As you can see, the accuracy of your bathroom scale can really depend on a lot of different factors. If you are considering getting a new bathroom scale, let this be your guide when it comes to choosing one that is going to give you an accurate reading each and every time.

If you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Not even a backlight. Please help! Hi I was wondering if u could answer a question for me.. I bought a eat smart digital scale model esbs I put batteries in.. It said I needed to auto calibrate.. I was wondering can I follow ur method for calibration for this model I just want to make sure I am getting accurate weight ,..

Thx Matt grant. I followed your recommendations. The scale works great! However when I got off the scale today, it went to 0 then back to 3. What does that mean? So we lost our home and stay in a motel, the floor is a very hard flat surface but with some cheap carpeting that looks like gym carpet. Can I use the gym type carpet floor? Hi Melissa — So sorry to hear about your home.

For accurate results, we do not recommend placing the scale on ANY type of carpeting. There are sensors in the 4 feet and they are not able to get an accurate reading on carpet. Hi Martha — Did the scale go back to zero when you used it again? The 3. Perhaps it recalibrated when you got off. Hi Diaphoni — We encourage you to reach out to our customer support team. They will figure out why your scale is reading incorrectly and try to troubleshoot the issue. Please contact us directly at Hi Matt — Our customer support team will be reaching out to you to let you know the best practices for calibrating the ESBS I have calibrated my scale and it weighs three pounds less than a scale that I have matched weight with three other scales including a balance scale … I have another eat smart scale in a different location that is spot on with these other scales..

Any help?? Thanks for reaching out to us and sorry to hear you are experiencing problems with your scale. A member of our customer support team will be emailing you to obtain more information about your EatSmart Bathroom Scale and help you troubleshoot this issue. Yes, that could affect the reading. There are 4 precision sensors in the feet, so missing one could cause the scale to be off balance. Please contact our customer service team at I have a scale from Detecto.

I used to be about pounds last summer and now the scale says YAY! Why does this happen? Is it wrong? Doesn t seem like much now, but Im very happy because this summer I was stuck in the lbs- lbs range. Anyway, when I get on the scale, it ll say , when I lift it up with my toe and have it showing the C and step on, it ll say THEN, when I get off the scale after it had said , it would show the C again and when I would get back on, it would either show a different weight or my actual weight.

I ll know if its my actual weight if I get off and get on again without calibrating it and it shows the same number. I have one of the older black eatsmart scales because it showed a tenth of a pound.

It is stored in a corner so it has to be moved and thus calibrated before use. Any ideas? Failure to converge is not in the FAQ. Hi Jordan — Thanks for reaching out. Our customer support team reached out to you last week. Please let us know if you have any other questions regarding your EatSmart scale.

Thank you! How long should the EatSmart digital scale last. Hi Estrellita — Thanks for reaching out. Our customer support team will contact you today. These scales typically have a 2 yr warranty but are designed to last and there is really not an expiration date on them. They will wear out based on use and care. Hi Joyce — Our customer support team will be reaching out to you to let you know the best practices for calibrating your EatSmart bathroom scale.

Suddenly my digital scale shows a 40kg difference. Until yesterday it was 79kg and today it is kg. Why is that? Hi Denise — Thanks for reaching out. Yes, losing one of the feet will affect the measurement. I had no idea that every time that a digital scale is moved, it needs to be recalibrated. I think that I should find a digital scale that could help me to take all of the proper measurements to make sure that the reaction is as accurate as possible.

I tried testing my scale to see if it was reading right so I put 2 5lb weights onot it. Is there a minimum weight it can read? Do heated bathroom floors tiled have any effect on digital scales? I weigh myself every morning at the same time when the floor is heated.