Handbook 44 – 2022 4.44. Graduates

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Table of Contents

Page

Section 4.44. Graduates.......................................................................................................... 4-29

A. Application .................................................................................................................................................. 4-29

A.1. General................................................................................................................................................4-29

A.2. Additional Code Requirements...........................................................................................................4-29

S. Specifications............................................................................................................................................... 4-29

S.1. Units....................................................................................................................................................4-29

S.2. Initial Interval. ....................................................................................................................................4-29

S.3. Shape...................................................................................................................................................4-29

S.4. Material...............................................................................................................................................4-30

S.5. Dimensional Proportions. ...................................................................................................................4-30

S.5.1. On a Circular Conical Graduate............................................................................................4-30

S.5.2. On a Cylindrical Graduate. ...................................................................................................4-30

S.6. Base.....................................................................................................................................................4-30

S.7. Design of Graduations. .......................................................................................................................4-30

S.7.1. General..................................................................................................................................4-30

S.7.2. On a Single-Scale Graduate. .................................................................................................4-30

S.7.3. On a Double-Scale or a Duplex Graduate.............................................................................4-30

S.8. Basis of Graduation. ...........................................................................................................................4-30

S.9. Marking Requirements........................................................................................................................4-30

N. Notes............................................................................................................................................................. 4-31

N.1. Test Liquid..........................................................................................................................................4-31

N.2. Temperature Control...........................................................................................................................4-31

T. Tolerances.................................................................................................................................................... 4-31

T.1. Tolerance Values....................................................................................................................................4-31
4.44. Graduates Handbook 44 – 2022

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This publication is available free of charge from: https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.HB.44-2022

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Handbook 44 – 2022 4.44. Graduates

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This publication is available free of charge from: https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.HB.44-2022

Section 4.44. Graduates

A. Application

A.1. General. – This code applies to subdivided glass measures of capacity, either cylindrical or conical in shape.

A.2. Additional Code Requirements. – In addition to the requirements of this code, Graduates shall meet the 

requirements of Section 1.10. General Code.

S. Specifications

S.1. Units. – Nominal capacities, graduation ranges, values of graduated intervals, and numbered graduations 

applicable to single-scale graduates and to the appropriate portions of double scale graduates shall be as shown in 

Table 1. Design Details for Graduates.

Table 1.

Design Details for Graduates

Nominal

Capacity To be Graduated Between

Value of

Graduated Intervals

Number at Each 

Graduation 

Divisible by

milliliters milliliters milliliters milliliters

5

10

25

50

100

500

1000

1 and

2 and

5 and

10 and

20 and

100 and

200 and

5

10

25

50

100

500

1000

1⁄2

1

5

5

10

25

50

1

2

5

10

20

50

100

minims minims minims minims

60

120

15 and

30 and

60

120

5

10

10a

20b

fluid drams fluid drams fluid drams fluid drams

4

8

1 and

2 and

4

8

1⁄2

1

1

2

fluid ounces fluid ounces fluid ounces fluid ounces

2

4

8

16

32

1⁄2 and

1 and

2 and

4 and

8 and

2

4

8

16

32

1⁄4

1⁄2

1⁄2

1

2

1⁄2

1

1

2

4

a And, in addition, at the first (15-minim) graduation.

b And, in addition, at the first (30-minim) graduation.

S.2. Initial Interval. – A graduate shall have an initial interval that is not subdivided, equal to not less than one-fifth 

and not more than one-fourth of the capacity of the graduate.

S.3. Shape. – A graduate of a capacity of more than 15 mL (4 fl dr) may be of either the cylindrical or circular 

conical type. A graduate of a capacity of 15 mL (4 fl dr) or less shall be of the single-scale cylindrical type.
4.44. Graduates Handbook 44 – 2022

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This publication is available free of charge from: https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.HB.44-2022

S.4. Material. – A graduate shall be made of good-quality, thoroughly annealed, clear, transparent glass, free from 

bubbles and streaks that might affect the accuracy of measurement. The glass shall be uniform in thickness and shall 

not be excessively thick.

S.5. Dimensional Proportions.

S.5.1. On a Circular Conical Graduate. – The inside measurement from the bottom of a circular conical 

graduate to the capacity graduation shall be not less than two times the inside diameter at the capacity graduation. 

The inside measurement from the bottom of the graduate to the point representing one-fourth of the capacity shall 

be not less than the inside diameter at that point.

S.5.2. On a Cylindrical Graduate. – The inside measurement from the bottom of a cylindrical graduate to the 

capacity graduation shall be not less than five times the inside diameter at the capacity graduation.

S.6. Base. – The base of the graduate shall be perpendicular to the vertical axis of the graduate. The diameter of 

the base shall be of such size that the empty graduate will remain standing on an inclined surface of 25 %, or 

approximately 15 degrees, from the horizontal.

S.7. Design of Graduations.

S.7.1. General. – Graduations shall be perpendicular to the vertical axis of the graduate and parallel to each 

other. Graduations shall be continuous, of uniform thickness not greater than 0.4 mm (0.015 in), clearly visible, 

permanent, and indelible under normal conditions of use.

(Amended 1977)

S.7.2. On a Single-Scale Graduate. – On a single-scale graduate, the main graduations shall completely 

encircle the graduate and subordinate graduations shall extend at least one-half the distance around the graduate.

S.7.3. On a Double-Scale or a Duplex Graduate. – On a double-scale or duplex graduate, there shall be a 

clear space between the ends of the main graduations on the two scales, and this space shall be approximately 

90 degrees from the lip of the graduate and shall conform to the requirements of Table 2. Clear Space Between 

Ends of Main Graduations on Double Scale Graduates.

Table 2.

Clear Space Between Ends of Main Graduations on Double Scale Graduates

Inside Diameter of Graduate at the Graduations

(inches)

Clear Space Between Ends of Main Graduations

(inch)

Less than 1.5 1/8 to 1⁄4

1.5 to 3, inclusive 1⁄4 to 1⁄2

Over 3 3/8 to 5/8

S.8. Basis of Graduation. – A graduate shall be graduated “to deliver” when the temperature of the graduate is 

20 °C (68 °F), and shall be marked accordingly in a permanent and conspicuous manner.

S.9. Marking Requirements. – Each main graduation shall be marked to show its value. Intermediate graduations 

shall not be marked. Value figures shall be uniformly positioned either directly upon or immediately above the 

graduations to which they refer. Figures placed upon graduations shall be set in from the ends of the graduations a 

sufficient distance to allow the ends of the graduations to be used in making a setting.
Handbook 44 – 2022 4.44. Graduates

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This publication is available free of charge from: https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.HB.44-2022

N. Notes

N.1. Test Liquid. – Water shall be used as the test liquid for graduates.

N.2. Temperature Control. – During the test of a graduate, appropriate precautions shall be exercised to reduce 

any detrimental temperature effects to the practicable minimum.

T. Tolerances

T.1. Tolerance Values. – Maintenance and acceptance tolerances in excess and in deficiency shall be as shown in 

Table 3. Maintenance and Acceptance Tolerances, in Excess and Deficiency, for Graduates for graduates that are 

graduated “to contain” or “to deliver.” (The tolerance to be applied at any graduation is determined by the inside 

diameter of the graduate at the graduation in question.)

Table 3.

Maintenance and Acceptance Tolerances, in Excess and

in Deficiency, for Graduates

Inside Diameter of 

Graduate

Tolerance

Inside Diameter of 

Graduate

Tolerance

From To but Not 

Including

From To but Not 

Including

millimeters milliliters inches minims

0

16

21

26

31

36

41

46

51

56

61

66

71

76

81

86

91

96

16

21

26

31

36

41

46

51

56

61

66

71

76

81

86

91

96

101

0.1

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.1

1.4

1.8

2.2

2.8

3.4

4.1

4.8

5.6

6.4

7.2

8.1

9.0

 0

 9/16

 13/16

 11

/16

 15

/16

 19

/16

 113/16

 21

/16

 25

/16

 29

/16

 213/16

 31

/16

 35

/16

 39

/16

 33

/16

 9/16

 13/16

 11

/16

 15

/16

 19

/16

 113/16

 21

/16

 25

/16

 29

/16

 213/16

 31

/16

 35

/16

 39

/16

 313/16

 41

/16

2

3

6

10

15

20

30

40

50

65

80

95

110

130

150

(Amended 1974)
4.44. Graduates Handbook 44 – 2022

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This publication is available free of charge from: https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.HB.44-2022

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