Which glassware is very precise?

• A. Beaker
• B. Erlenmeyer flask
• C. Volumetric flask
• D. Graduated cylinder

Answer: (C)

In glassware, precision comes from having a known, repeatable volume. A volumetric flask is built for that purpose: it is calibrated to contain a single exact volume when filled to the marked line, and its narrow neck minimizes variation. It’s typically calibrated at a specific temperature (often 20°C), and the tolerance is very small, making it the most precise option among common lab glassware.

Beakers and Erlenmeyer flasks are shaped for general use and have rough, wide-mouth designs with broad graduations, so the exact volume when poured or transferred isn’t as reliable. A graduated cylinder offers good measurement accuracy with multiple marks, but its tolerances are larger than those of a volumetric flask. Therefore, for delivering a specific, precise volume, the volumetric flask is the best choice.