Accuracy
Updated 2026-10-27
Data records
- Accuracy is the closeness of agreement between a value measured by an instrument and the true or reference value of the quantity. On a test instrument it is stated as a specification that bounds the largest error permitted under stated operating conditions, usually as a fraction of the reading plus a fixed term.
- A maker's guide to digital multimeter specifications treats accuracy as the largest error the instrument is allowed to show under its specified operating conditions, expressed as a percentage of the reading to which a stated number of counts of the last displayed digit may be added. The guide separates accuracy from precision, which it uses for the ability of a multimeter to return the same reading again and again.
Sources
- Electrical Testing Reference editorial taxonomy, Electrical Testing Reference editorial taxonomy of test methods, 2026-10 edition, Electrical Testing Reference. Held as: Own observation.
- Fluke learn article, Why Digital Multimeter Accuracy and Precision Matter, web page edition, Fluke. Held as: Public page. Publisher page
Changelog (5 entries)
| Date | Revision | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-27 | created (gloss.accuracy.definition) | |
| 2026-10-27 | review_status unreviewed -> software_reviewed (gloss.accuracy.definition) | |
| 2026-10-27 | created (gloss.accuracy.usage) | |
| 2026-10-27 | revised (gloss.accuracy.usage) | |
| 2026-10-27 | review_status unreviewed -> software_reviewed (gloss.accuracy.usage) |
Cite this page
Cite the governing standard for the fact itself; cite this page as the finding aid.
"Accuracy." Test Instrument Reference. 2026-10-27. https://www.testinstrumentreference.com/glossary/accuracy/.
Test Instrument Reference, Accuracy (Oct. 27, 2026), https://www.testinstrumentreference.com/glossary/accuracy/.
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howpublished = {\url{https://www.testinstrumentreference.com/glossary/accuracy/}},
organization = {Test Instrument Reference},
publisher = {Test Instrument Reference},
year = {2026},
note = {last substantive change 2026-10-27}
}{{cite web |title=Accuracy |website=Test Instrument Reference |publisher=Test Instrument Reference |url=https://www.testinstrumentreference.com/glossary/accuracy/ |date=2026-10-27 |access-date=}}