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A practical guide for accurate burette readings, titration setup, meniscus reading, titre calculation and common troubleshooting.
A burette is a piece of laboratory glassware used to deliver measured volumes of liquid, most commonly during titrations. Correct technique is essential because small reading errors can affect the calculated concentration, titre value and reliability of practical results.
This guide explains how to use a burette safely and accurately, including setup, rinsing, filling, removing air bubbles, reading the meniscus, recording values to two decimal places, calculating titre and avoiding common 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.
The long, narrow tube marked with volume graduations. The scale usually increases downwards because the burette measures liquid delivered.
The top reference point on the scale. The initial reading does not have to be exactly 0.00 cm³, but it must be recorded accurately.
Controls the flow of titrant. It should allow liquid to run smoothly and then dispense drop by drop near the endpoint.
The narrow outlet below the tap. This must be filled with titrant and free from air bubbles before readings are taken.
The curved surface of the liquid. For most aqueous titration solutions, read the bottom of the meniscus.
Hold the burette securely and vertically so readings are accurate and the equipment remains stable.
Understanding common burette and titration terminology makes it easier to follow practical instructions, record accurate results and calculate titre values correctly.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Burette | A graduated glass or plastic tube used to deliver an accurately measured volume of liquid. |
| Titrant | The solution placed in the burette and added to the sample during a titration. |
| Analyte | The solution being tested, 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 scale from above or below the meniscus rather than at eye level. |
| Initial Reading | The burette reading recorded before titrant is delivered. |
| Final Reading | The burette reading recorded after the endpoint has been reached. |
| Titre | The volume delivered from the burette, calculated as final reading minus initial reading. |
| Endpoint | The point at which the indicator shows the reaction is complete, often by a permanent colour change. |
| Concordant Results | Titre values that are very close together, often used to judge whether results are reliable. |
| Rough Titre | An initial trial titration used to estimate the approximate endpoint before more accurate repeats. |
The liquid surface inside a burette is curved. This curve is called the meniscus. For most school and laboratory titrations using aqueous solutions, the meniscus is concave and should be read from the bottom of the curve.
Solutions such as acids, alkalis and many salts usually form a concave meniscus. Read the lowest point of the curve.
For dark or coloured solutions, follow your practical instructions carefully. A white tile or card behind the burette can help make the meniscus easier to see.
Some liquids may form a different meniscus shape. The most important rule is to follow the specified method and read consistently at eye level.
Your eye must be level with the meniscus when you take a reading. Looking from above or below changes where the liquid appears to sit on the scale, which creates parallax error.
Burette markings increase downwards. Most burettes are graduated in 0.1 cm³ divisions. You should estimate between these markings, so readings are typically recorded to the nearest 0.01cm³.
| Scale Position | How to Record It | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Exactly on a mark | Record to two decimal places, for example 24.70 cm³. | The final zero shows the precision of the reading. |
| Between two marks | Estimate the second decimal place, for example 24.23 cm³. | This gives a more precise reading than rounding to 0.1 cm³. |
| Just below a whole number | Remember the scale increases downwards. | This is a common source of incorrect readings. |
In titration work, the volume delivered from the burette is found by subtracting the initial reading from the final reading.
| Reading | What to Do | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Reading | Record the starting volume before titrant is released. | 0.05 cm³ |
| Final Reading | Record the volume after the 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 for titration, where one solution is added gradually to another until a reaction reaches its endpoint.
Burettes are designed for accurate delivery of variable liquid volumes and are widely used in chemistry practical work.
| Use | Typical Equipment | Skills Practised |
|---|---|---|
| Acid-base titration | Burette, pipette, conical flask, indicator, acid and alkali solutions | Endpoint detection, accurate reading and titre calculation. |
| GCSE and A-level required practicals | Burette, volumetric pipette, pipette filler, clamp stand and white tile | Measurement accuracy, repeatability and safe chemical handling. |
| Standard solution work | Burette, volumetric flask, balance and weighing boat | Quantitative chemistry and concentration calculations. |
| Demonstration titrations | Burette, indicator and classroom-safe reagents | Observation of colour change and practical chemistry technique. |
Using the right supporting equipment helps improve accuracy, stability, safety and repeatability during titration practicals. The products below are commonly used alongside burettes in schools, colleges, universities and laboratories.
Used to deliver accurate measured volumes of titrant during titration work and quantitative chemistry practicals.
View BurettesHold burettes securely and vertically, helping prevent movement and reading errors during titrations.
View Clamp StandsDesigned to grip burettes safely without crushing or damaging the glass.
View Burette ClampsUsed beneath the burette to hold the analyte and allow swirling during titration.
View Conical FlasksUsed to transfer a fixed volume of solution accurately into the conical flask.
View PipettesSupport safe liquid transfer when using pipettes. Never mouth pipette in a laboratory setting.
View Pipette FillersPlaced under the conical flask to make subtle colour changes easier to see near the endpoint.
View White Tiles
| Mistake | Why It Matters | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| Reading from above or below | Creates parallax error and changes the apparent volume. | Read the bottom of the meniscus at eye level. |
| Forgetting the scale increases downwards | Can lead to recording the wrong value. | Check the direction of the scale before recording readings. |
| Leaving the funnel in place | Drops of liquid may fall into the burette after the initial reading. | Remove the funnel before taking readings. |
| Air bubble in the jet | The bubble may be released during titration, making the delivered volume inaccurate. | Run titrant through the tap and check the tip before starting. |
| Not rinsing with titrant | Water or previous solution can dilute the titrant. | Rinse the burette with a small volume of the titrant before filling. |
| Overshooting the endpoint | The titre becomes too high and may need to be repeated. | Add titrant drop by drop near the endpoint while swirling. |
| Problem | Possible Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid does not flow smoothly | Tap may be blocked, stiff or not opened fully. | Stop and ask a teacher or technician to check the burette. |
| Burette is leaking | Tap is not closed properly, damaged or unsuitable for the liquid. | Do not continue. Replace or check the burette before use. |
| Air bubble in the tip | The jet was not filled before the initial reading. | Open the tap to fill the jet, remove the bubble and take a new initial reading. |
| Meniscus is hard to see | Solution is colourless, dark or lighting is poor. | Use a white card or tile behind the burette and read at eye level. |
| Titre values are inconsistent | Endpoint overshot, poor swirling, reading error or contaminated apparatus. | Repeat carefully, add drop by drop near the endpoint and check cleaning technique. |
| Endpoint colour change disappears | The solution may not have reached a permanent endpoint yet. | Add titrant one drop at a time until the correct permanent colour change is reached. |
| Initial reading changes unexpectedly | Funnel left in place or liquid on the inside wall drained down. | Remove funnel and allow liquid to settle before recording the initial reading. |
A burette is used to deliver accurately measured variable volumes of liquid. It is most commonly used in titration experiments.
Read the bottom of the meniscus at eye level. Record the value to two decimal places and remember that the burette scale increases downwards.
A burette measures the volume of liquid delivered from the tube. As liquid leaves the burette, the reading increases.
No. The starting point does not have to be exactly 0.00 cm³, but the initial reading must be recorded accurately so the titre can be calculated.
Titre is calculated by subtracting the initial burette reading from the final burette reading.
Many burettes are marked every 0.1 cm³, so users estimate one extra digit and record values to 0.01 cm³.
Parallax error happens when the meniscus is viewed from above or below rather than directly at eye level.
If an air bubble leaves the tip during titration, it can make the delivered volume inaccurate and affect the titre.
Rinsing with titrant helps prevent water or previous solution from diluting the liquid being used in the burette.
Common equipment includes a clamp stand, burette clamp, conical flask, volumetric pipette, pipette filler, indicator, white tile and suitable titration chemicals.
Now that you understand how to use and read a burette correctly, the next step is choosing suitable titration equipment for your classroom, laboratory or practical science 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 and save the one-page illustrated summary of how to read a burette correctly.
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.
Our aim is to help users improve titration technique, reduce common reading errors and get more reliable results from their laboratory equipment. If you have any questions about burettes or titration equipment, our technical team would be pleased to help.
Last reviewed and updated: June 2026
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