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A practical guide to burette setup, meniscus reading, titration technique, titre calculation, uncertainty and common troubleshooting.
A burette is a graduated volumetric instrument, commonly made from glass, that delivers measured variable volumes of liquid. It is used most often in titrations, where even a small setup or reading error can affect the calculated concentration and the repeatability of the result.
This guide explains how to set up, rinse and fill a burette; remove air bubbles; read the meniscus without parallax error; record initial and final readings; calculate a titre; identify concordant results; and avoid common practical mistakes.
This guide was written and reviewed by Better Equipped's technical team, drawing on experience supplying burettes, titration equipment, laboratory glassware and practical science equipment to schools, colleges and laboratories throughout the UK.
Always use the risk assessment, practical instructions, examination-board convention, standard operating procedure and manufacturer information that apply to your own work.
Identify the correct meniscus reference point, place your eye level with it, remember that the burette scale increases downwards, and record the initial and final readings using the convention required by your course or laboratory. Calculate the volume delivered as final reading − initial reading.
The long, narrow tube marked with volume graduations. The numbers normally increase downwards because the burette measures liquid delivered.
The upper reference point on the scale. The initial reading does not need to be exactly 0.00 cm³, but it must be recorded correctly.
Controls the flow of titrant. It should release liquid smoothly and allow dropwise addition near the endpoint.
The narrow outlet below the tap. It must be filled with titrant and free from trapped air before the initial reading is taken.
The curved liquid surface. For most colourless or lightly coloured aqueous solutions in glass, read the bottom of the concave meniscus.
Hold the burette securely and vertically so that the apparatus remains stable and the scale can be read correctly.
These terms help distinguish what is measured, what is observed and how titration results are assessed.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Burette | A graduated volumetric instrument used to deliver an accurately measured variable volume of liquid. |
| Titrant | The solution placed in the burette and added to the solution in the flask. |
| Analyte or titrand | The solution being analysed, usually placed in a conical flask below the burette. |
| Meniscus | The curved surface of the liquid inside the burette. |
| Parallax error | A reading error caused by viewing the meniscus from above or below instead of at the same level. |
| Initial reading | The burette reading recorded before titrant is delivered. |
| Final reading | The burette reading recorded after the specified endpoint has been reached. |
| Titre | The volume delivered from the burette, calculated as final reading minus initial reading. |
| Endpoint | The observed change used to decide when to stop adding titrant, such as the specified indicator colour change. |
| Equivalence point | The stage at which the titrant and analyte have reacted in the required stoichiometric ratio. A suitable endpoint should occur close to this point. |
| Concordant results | Accurate-repeat titres that agree within the tolerance specified by the method. A difference of no more than 0.10 cm³ is commonly used in UK advanced-level work. Concordance shows repeatability, not necessarily accuracy. |
| Rough titre | An initial trial titration used to locate the approximate endpoint. It is not normally included when calculating the mean of concordant accurate titres. |
The curved liquid surface inside a burette is called the meniscus. For most colourless or lightly coloured aqueous solutions in glass, the meniscus is concave and is read from the lowest point of the curve.
Acids, alkalis and many salt solutions usually form a concave meniscus in clean glass. Read the lowest point unless the method states otherwise.
If the lower meniscus cannot be seen clearly, the method may specify reading another reference point, such as the top of the meniscus. Use the same reference point for both initial and final readings and record the method used.
Meniscus shape depends on the interaction between the liquid and the container surface. Some non-wetting liquids may form a convex meniscus. Follow the specified procedure rather than assuming that every non-aqueous liquid behaves in the same way.
Place your eye at the same horizontal level as the meniscus. Looking from above or below changes the apparent position of the liquid against the scale and introduces parallax error.
Most school burettes have 0.1 cm³ divisions. Initial and final readings are normally written to two decimal places, but the final digit must follow the convention specified by your examination board, laboratory procedure or standard operating procedure.
Under a common half-division convention, the reading is estimated to the nearest 0.05 cm³, so the final digit is normally 0 or 5. Examples include 24.70 cm³ and 24.75 cm³. Do not invent unsupported digits simply because the result is written to two decimal places.
| Scale Position | How to Record It | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Exactly on a graduation | Record to the required number of decimal places, for example 24.70 cm³. | The final zero shows that the reading has been recorded using the required format. |
| Halfway between 0.1 cm³ marks | Under a half-division convention, record a value such as 24.75 cm³. | This represents an estimate to the nearest 0.05 cm³. |
| Near a numbered line | Check the adjacent labels before deciding the value. | The scale increases downwards, which is a common source of mistakes. |
These ideas are related but are not interchangeable.
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Graduation interval | The difference between adjacent scale marks, commonly 0.1 cm³ on a 50 cm³ school burette. |
| Reading uncertainty | The uncertainty associated with one scale reading. Under a half-division convention for 0.1 cm³ graduations, this is commonly treated as ±0.05 cm³. |
| Titre uncertainty | A titre is calculated from two readings. Under the same convention, their absolute uncertainties are commonly combined to give ±0.10 cm³. |
| Manufacturer tolerance | The permitted error for the particular burette design and accuracy class. It is not automatically the same as the user's reading uncertainty. |
| Class and calibration markings | Markings such as Class A, AS or B, and TD or Ex, describe the instrument specification. Check the actual burette and its documentation rather than assuming all burettes have the same tolerance. |
Unit note: 1 cm³ is numerically equal to 1 mL.
The volume delivered is calculated by subtracting the initial burette reading from the final burette reading. The burette does not need to start at exactly zero.
| Reading | What to Do | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Initial reading | Record the starting reading after the jet is full, bubbles have been removed and the liquid has drained as required. | 0.05 cm³ |
| Final reading | Record the reading after the specified endpoint has been reached. | 24.35 cm³ |
| Titre | Subtract the initial reading from the final reading. | 24.35 cm³ − 0.05 cm³ = 24.30 cm³ |
A burette is most commonly used in titration, where one solution is added gradually to another until the specified endpoint is reached.
Burettes deliver measured variable volumes and are widely used in quantitative chemistry and other laboratory procedures.
| Use | Typical Equipment | Skills Practised |
|---|---|---|
| Acid–base titration | Burette, pipette, conical flask, indicator, acid and alkali solutions | Endpoint detection, accurate reading, repeatability and titre calculation. |
| GCSE and A-level practical work | Burette, volumetric pipette, pipette filler, clamp stand and white tile | Measurement technique, uncertainty, repeatability and safe chemical handling. |
| Standard solution work | Burette, volumetric flask, balance and suitable transfer equipment | Quantitative chemistry and concentration calculations. |
| Other volumetric procedures | A burette selected for the liquid, required accuracy and chemical compatibility | Controlled variable-volume delivery under a written method or SOP. |
Suitable supporting equipment improves stability, safety, visibility and repeatability during titration work.
Used to deliver accurately measured variable volumes of titrant during quantitative laboratory work.
View BurettesSupport the burette securely and help maintain a stable vertical setup.
View Clamp StandsTransfer a fixed measured volume of solution into the conical flask.
View PipettesSupport safe liquid transfer. Never mouth-pipette in a laboratory.
View Pipette FillersProvide an observable colour change close to the equivalence point when correctly selected for the reaction.
View IndicatorsPlaced beneath the conical flask to make subtle endpoint colour changes easier to see.
View White Tiles
| Mistake | Why It Matters | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| Reading from above or below | Introduces parallax error and changes the apparent volume. | Bring your eye level with the meniscus. |
| Forgetting that the scale increases downwards | Can lead to recording the adjacent value incorrectly. | Check the numbered graduations above and below the meniscus. |
| Leaving the funnel in place | Residual drops may enter after the initial reading. | Remove the funnel and allow the burette to drain before recording. |
| Air bubble in the jet | Some of the apparent delivered volume fills the jet instead of entering the flask. | Fill the jet and inspect it before taking the initial reading. |
| Not rinsing with titrant | Residual water or previous solution can alter the titrant concentration. | Condition the burette with a small volume of titrant before filling. |
| Using different meniscus reference points | Creates an avoidable systematic difference between the initial and final readings. | Use the reference point specified by the method consistently. |
| Recording unsupported hundredths | Gives a false impression of resolution. | Follow the required estimation convention for the actual graduation interval. |
| Overshooting the endpoint | Makes the recorded titre too high. | Add titrant one drop at a time near the endpoint while swirling. |
| Including the rough titre in the mean | The rough result is used to locate the endpoint and may not have been obtained accurately. | Calculate the mean from the concordant accurate titres specified by the method. |
| Treating concordance as proof of accuracy | Repeated results can agree closely while all being affected by the same systematic error. | Check calibration, preparation, contamination, endpoint choice and technique as well as repeatability. |
| Problem | Possible Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid does not flow smoothly | The tap may be blocked, stiff, damaged or incompatible with the liquid. | Stop and ask a teacher, technician or competent laboratory user to inspect the burette. |
| Burette leaks | The tap may not be seated correctly, may be damaged or may be unsuitable for the solution. | Do not continue. Safely transfer or dispose of the liquid as directed and replace or service the burette. |
| Air bubble remains in the jet | The space below the tap was not completely filled before the initial reading. | Run titrant through the jet, remove the bubble, allow drainage and take a new initial reading. |
| Meniscus is difficult to see | The solution is colourless, intensely coloured or poorly illuminated. | Use a suitable contrasting reading card and follow the specified meniscus convention. |
| Titre values are inconsistent | Endpoint overshot, incomplete swirling, reading error, contamination, air in the jet or poor setup. | Check the full procedure, then repeat with slower addition near the endpoint. |
| Endpoint colour change disappears | The specified persistent endpoint has not yet been reached, or the flask was not mixed fully. | Swirl thoroughly and add titrant one drop at a time until the change required by the method persists for the stated period. |
| Initial reading changes after it is recorded | The funnel was left in place or liquid remaining on the internal wall continued to drain. | Remove the funnel, wait for the required drainage period and record a fresh initial reading. |
| Liquid level reaches the end of the scale | The required volume is larger than the remaining graduated capacity. | Stop before passing beyond the scale. Refill only if the method permits, recording and summing each delivered volume correctly. |
A burette delivers accurately measured variable volumes of liquid. It is used most commonly in titration work.
Read at eye level, use the meniscus reference point specified by the method, remember that the scale increases downwards and record the value using the required decimal convention.
The scale records the volume delivered. As liquid leaves the burette, the reading increases.
No. The initial reading may be any clear value within the graduated range, provided it is recorded correctly and subtracted from the final reading.
Titre = final burette reading − initial burette reading.
This is the usual recording format for a burette with 0.1 cm³ graduations. The final digit must still follow the estimation convention required by the course, method or SOP.
Parallax error occurs when the meniscus is viewed from above or below instead of at the same level.
If the jet fills during the titration, part of the apparent delivered volume will not have reached the flask, making the titre incorrect.
Rinsing with titrant prevents residual water or another solution from changing the titrant concentration.
The endpoint is the observed signal used to stop the titration. The equivalence point is defined by the reaction stoichiometry. A suitable indicator or instrumental method makes the endpoint occur close to the equivalence point.
They are accurate-repeat titres that agree within the tolerance specified by the method. A maximum difference of 0.10 cm³ is commonly used in UK advanced-level work.
Normally no. The rough titre is used to find the approximate endpoint; the mean is usually calculated from concordant accurate titres.
Common equipment includes a clamp stand, bosshead, burette clamp, conical flask, volumetric pipette, pipette filler, indicator, white tile and suitable chemical-handling equipment.
Now that you understand how to use and read a burette correctly, the next step is choosing equipment with the appropriate material, tap type, capacity and accuracy specification for your practical work.
Better Equipped supplies burettes, clamps, stands, conical flasks, pipettes, indicators and other practical chemistry equipment for schools, colleges, universities and laboratories.
View Burettes View Titration Equipment Contact Us for AdviceFor a quick visual reminder, view the one-page illustrated summary of how to read a burette correctly. The graphic can be revised later to match the updated reading, uncertainty and meniscus guidance on this page.
View One-Page SummaryThis guide was written and reviewed by Better Equipped's technical team, drawing on experience supplying burettes, laboratory glassware, titration equipment and practical science resources to schools, colleges, universities and laboratories throughout the UK.
Its purpose is to improve setup, measurement, recording and troubleshooting. It does not replace a chemical-specific risk assessment, examination-board method, standard operating procedure, calibration certificate or manufacturer instruction.
Last reviewed and updated: August 2026
More practical science resources: betterequipped.co.uk/better-resources
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