SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/eng-accuracy-vs-precision

A scale gives 5.21, 5.22 and 5.21 kg for a true 6.00 kg mass. The readings are:

Precise but not accurate: they agree with each other, not with the true value.

Start playing free

  1. Precise but not accurate ✔
  2. Accurate but not precise
  3. Both accurate and precise

Why: Accuracy is closeness to the true value. Precision is how closely repeated readings agree. Tight readings that are all off by the same amount usually mean a calibration error.

Huh, didn't know that: Repeating a measurement can reveal poor precision, but only comparing to a known standard reveals poor accuracy.

The dad joke
My dart throws are very precise. They all hit the same spot on the wall.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: Precise but not accurate. Accuracy is closeness to the true value. Precision is how closely repeated readings agree. Tight readings that are all off by the same amount usually mean a calibration error.

  1. OpenStax Chemistry 2e: 1.5 Measurement Uncertainty, Accuracy, and Precision openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/1-5-measurement-uncertainty-accuracy-and-precision
    A measurement is considered accurate if it yields a result that is very close to the true or accepted value.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. OpenStax Chemistry 2e: 1.5 Measurement Uncertainty, Accuracy, and Precision openstax.org/books/chemistry-2e/pages/1-5-measurement-uncertainty-accuracy-and-precision
    Measurements are said to be precise if they yield very similar results when repeated in the same manner.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

EngineeringHow many base units does the International System of Units (SI) have?EngineeringHow many significant figures are in the measurement 0.00450 m?EngineeringIn measurement standards, what is a tolerance?

That's stuff everyone should know.