Troubleshooting Scale Accuracy: A Guide to Identifying and Fixing Issues

Some people avoid scales at all costs, afraid of what they might reveal. Other people use a scale on a daily basis, whether it be to weigh themselves or other objects. When a scale defies our expectations, it can give us false hope, a near heart attack or simply incorrect information. There are several ways you can find out whether your scale is giving an accurate or faulty measurement.

Instructions

• 1

  Check the sides of the scale. Most home scales have a lever or some sort of small instrument to adjust the scale. It should be relatively easy to find.

• 2

  Adjust the instrument until the scale is set at zero. Usually, this means pushing a lever to one side and watching as the scale adjusts. The instrument may also be a small circular device. In this case, simply turn it until the scale is at zero.

• 3

  Use a flat weight or another object of determinate weight to see by how much the scale under or over weighs.

• 4

  Use the lever on the side of the scale to allow for the scale's faulty measurement. For instance, if the scale over weighs by 5 lb., adjust the lever so that the scale is set at -5 lb. without anything on it.