Views: 21 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-07-23 Origin: Site
In everyday lab work, the pipette is one of the most frequently used but often overlooked tools. Have you ever asked yourself:
“Which pipette should I use for 10 μL, 40 μL, 100 μL…?”
“Can I pipette 75 μL twice instead of 150 μL once?”
“Can a 1000 μL pipette handle everything?”
Let's break down this often-misunderstood yet essential topic: how to choose the correct pipette volume range.
✅ Why is choosing the right volume range so important?
Selecting the correct pipette volume is essential for achieving accurate and precise liquid handling and testing results. Every pipette performs best—meaning the highest accuracy and precision—within its specified volume range.
In simple terms:
➤ Using a high-volume pipette for tiny volumes leads to big errors.
➤ Using a low-volume pipette for large volumes just won't work.
✅ Optimal Working Range
Your target volume should ideally fall within 35% to 100% of the pipette's total volume capacity. This range ensures minimal systematic and random error, maximizing both accuracy and precision in pipetting performance.
✅ Recommended Pipette Ranges
| Target Volume | Recommended Pipette Range |
|---|---|
| 10 μL | 2–20 μL |
| 40 μL | 10–100 μL |
| 100 μL | 10–100 μL |
| 150 μL | 20–200 μL |
| 200 μL | 20–200 μL |
✅ Is it Acceptable to Pipette 75 μL Twice to Achieve 150 μL?
While technically feasible, repeating a smaller volume pipetting operation to achieve a larger total volume is not recommended in most cases. Each transfer introduces its own degree of inaccuracy and variability, increasing the risk of cumulative error.
It is recommended to use a 20–200 μL pipette, set to 150 μL, to deliver the desired volume in a single, accurate transfer.
❌ Don't pipette beyond the pipette's volume range
❌ Don't reuse tips between different samples
❌ Don't skip calibration or maintenance
❌ Don't forget to pre-wet the tips before pipetting
