Graduated cylinders: how can routine volumes be measured and transferred?

Essential for approximate volume measurements and everyday lab work, graduated measuring cylinders let you contain, dispense, mix and transfer liquids with confidence. A staple on every bench, they offer an excellent balance of ease of use, speed and readability.

Available in borosilicate glass for applications that demand strong thermal and chemical resistance, or in plastic (PP, PS…) for safety and day-to-day use, measuring cylinders suit a wide range of protocols. Clear graduations, sterile options or stoppered versions: every detail supports accuracy, safety and reproducibility.

What are the different types of measuring cylinders?

Graduated cylinders are primarily differentiated by their material, shape and graduation accuracy.

Borosilicate 3.3 glass models stand out for excellent resistance to solvents, acids and temperature changes. They are suitable for heating (hotplate, water bath, indirect flame) and for repeated use in chemistry and research. The graduations, typically screen-printed or etched, offer long-lasting readability.

Plastic graduated cylinders prioritise safety and convenience.

PP (polypropylene) is autoclavable (121 °C), robust and offers good chemical resistance. It is widely used in biology, microbiology and for routine applications.

TPX / PMP (polymethylpentene) is notable for its very high clarity—close to glass—and good thermal resistance (up to ~170 °C). Autoclavable, hydrophobic and chemically resistant to many reagents, it is an excellent alternative to glass when safety and low weight are priorities.

In which fields is a measuring cylinder used?

Thanks to their versatility, measuring cylinders are widely used across the life sciences for reagent preparation, dilutions and colourimetric assays. In chemistry, they are used for rapid measurement of liquids, volume comparison and preliminary tests.

They are also common in quality control (food and drink, cosmetics, environmental) for quick measurements and sample preparation. In the pharmaceutical sector, they support in-process controls and work in controlled areas; sterile versions are available for regulated environments.

In education, the measuring cylinder remains a staple teaching aid for learning volumes and basic lab techniques.

The different types of measuring cylinders available

Frequently asked questions about laboratory measuring cylinders

What are the accuracy classes of measuring cylinders?
Measuring cylinders (graduated cylinders) are generally available in Class A or Class B.
Class A offers the highest accuracy, with tighter graduation tolerances and individual or batch calibration; it is recommended whenever measurement reliability is critical.
Class B has tolerances roughly twice as wide as Class A and is ideal for routine work, indicative volumes and teaching applications.
In all cases, measuring cylinders are intended for approximate measurements; for accurate analytical work, it is preferable to use volumetric glassware (pipettes, volumetric flasks).

Glass or plastic: which should you choose?
Borosilicate glass is recommended for solvents, heat and durability. Plastic is safer, lighter and convenient for everyday or sterile use.

Are the graduations accurate?
Measuring cylinders provide approximate volume readings. They are suitable for quick measurements, but do not replace volumetric glassware for precise analyses.

Can a measuring cylinder be heated?
Yes for borosilicate glass. PP withstands autoclaving (121 °C) but not a direct flame. TPX/PMP offers good thermal resistance (up to ~170 °C) and can be autoclaved; it should not be exposed to a direct flame.

Are there sterile measuring cylinders?
Yes, mainly in plastic, ready to use for biology and microbiology applications.