Accurate pipetting is one of the most important skills in any research, clinical, analytical, or diagnostic laboratory. Even small inconsistencies in technique can lead to significant variation in experimental outcomes—especially in workflows involving qPCR, NGS, ELISA, cell culture, or analytical chemistry. Whether you are working with microlitre volumes or larger transfers, mastering good pipetting practice is essential for reproducibility and data integrity.

Here are seven practical, science-backed ways to improve pipetting accuracy in your laboratory.

1. Choose the Right Pipette for the Volume Range

Every pipette is designed to perform optimally within a specific volume range. Using a pipette too close to its upper or lower limits increases the risk of variability.

Best practice:

• Use P2 or P10 for microlitre volumes.

• Use P20 instead of P200 for 10–20 µL volumes.

• For large volumes, use a serological pipette or bottle-top dispenser.

Incorrect volume selection is one of the most common causes of inaccurate results. Selecting the correct pipette ensures better control, reduced mechanical strain, and more consistent dispensing.

2. Pre-Wet Pipette Tips Before Dispensing

Pre-wetting the pipette tip helps equilibrate the temperature and humidity inside the tip, leading to more consistent aspiration volumes—especially with volatile or viscous samples.

Why it matters:

Skipping pre-wetting can result in low dispensing volumes due to evaporation or liquid retention.

How to apply it:

Aspirate and dispense your liquid 2–3 times before transferring the final volume.

3. Maintain a Consistent Pipetting Angle

Pipetting angle affects hydrostatic pressure and aspiration efficiency. Holding the pipette at an angle greater than 20–30 degrees can lead to irregular aspiration.

Best practice:

• Keep the pipette vertical when aspirating.

• When dispensing, hold the pipette at a slight angle to ensure controlled release.

This simple adjustment ensures consistent volumes across multiple transfers.

4. Use Smooth, Controlled Plunger Movements

Fast, abrupt, or inconsistent plunger movement can introduce bubbles into the sample or cause inaccurate aspiration.

Recommendations:

• Press and release the plunger slowly and steadily.

• Pause briefly after aspirating to allow the liquid to fully enter the tip—especially important for viscous samples.

Smooth technique is a major contributor to reproducible results.

5. Use High-Quality Pipette Tips That Fit Properly

Not all pipette tips are created equal. Poorly fitting or low-quality tips can result in leaks, aerosols, inconsistent volume transfer, and difficulty in achieving a proper seal.

Brands like TipOne, LLG Labware, Thermo Scientific, Eppendorf, and BRAND manufacture high-precision tips designed for reproducibility and tight sealing.

What to look for:

• Universal-fit or manufacturer-specific compatibility

• Low-retention surfaces

• Sterile options for sensitive workflows

• Filtered tips for PCR or RNA work

A good-quality tip can dramatically improve accuracy—particularly in low-volume applications.

6. Regularly Calibrate and Maintain Your Pipettes

Even perfectly engineered pipettes drift over time due to mechanical wear, seal degradation, or usage patterns. Routine calibration ensures the instrument continues to perform to specification.

Recommendations:

• Calibrate every 6–12 months, depending on usage volume

• Inspect O-rings, seals, and pistons

• Clean pipettes exposed to corrosive or infectious materials

• Train staff on correct handling and storage

Many Australian laboratories use calibration partners for NATA-traceable certification, especially in regulated environments.

7. Consider Environmental Factors

Room conditions influence pipetting performance more than most people realise.

Impact factors include:

• Temperature: cold liquids aspirate differently from warm ones.

• Humidity: affects evaporation in micro-volumes.

• Airflow: strong air currents can disrupt aspiration.

• Altitude: influences pressure in air-displacement pipettes.

Best practice:

Allow reagents, consumables, and pipettes to equilibrate to room temperature before starting work.

Bonus Tip: Consider Electronic Pipettes for High-Throughput Accuracy

For repetitive tasks, electronic pipettes provide:

• Consistent aspiration speed

• Controlled dispensing profiles

• Reduced thumb strain

• Multi-dispense and dilution functions

• Better reproducibility across operators

Brands such as Gilson, Eppendorf, and Thermo Scientific offer electronic pipettes widely used across research and industry.

Conclusion

Accurate pipetting is the foundation of reliable laboratory work. By selecting the right tools, following good pipetting practices, maintaining instruments properly, and being mindful of environmental factors, laboratories can significantly improve reproducibility and confidence in their results.

LabFriend supplies high-quality pipettes and consumables from trusted brands including Eppendorf, Gilson, Thermo Scientific, LLG Labware, BRAND, and more. If you’re reviewing your pipetting workflow or upgrading your equipment, our team can assist with selecting the right tools for your laboratory needs.