National Institute of Standards and Technology | NIST

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Grid showing six fingerprints in different false colors.

NIST Releases Data to Help Measure Accuracy of Biometric Identification

phenol red sample

Tracking Lab-Grown Tissue With Light

A copper bullet in a glass jar, sealed at the top.

Kennedy Assassination Bullets Preserved in Digital Form (includes video)

MEASURE. INNOVATE. LEAD.

Working with industry and science to advance innovation and improve quality of life.

Man in collared shirt with piece of scientific equipment

Services & Resources

Woman holding vial of red liquid with other vials of colored liquid on the table in front of her

Labs & Major Programs

3 multicolor blobs surrounded by what looks like wire mesh structure. black background.

Publications

Featured Topics

Advanced Communications

Advanced Communications

Advanced Manufacturing

Advanced Manufacturing

Cybersecurity

Forensic Science

Forensic Science

Health & Bioscience

Health & Bioscience

Quantum Science

Quantum Science

Resilience

Technology Transfer

Technology Transfer

Standard Reference Materials

Standard Reference Materials are certified reference materials (CRMs) that can be used to help develop accurate methods of analysis, to calibrate measurement systems used to measure a property at the state-of-the-art limit.

View all materials

Standard Reference Data

Standard Reference Data cover a broad range scientific disciplines including atomic and molecular physics, chemical and crystal structures, fluids, material properties, biotechnology, optical character recognition and more. Data products include web applications, personal computer products, site licenses, subscriptions and distributor agreements. The SRD data program includes the Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data.

Read more

News

Grid showing six fingerprints in different false colors.

NIST Releases Data to Help Measure Accuracy of Biometric Identification

December 12, 2019

New biometric research data — ranging from fingerprints to facial photographs and iris scans — is now available from the

Tracking Lab-Grown Tissue With Light

December 12, 2019

Someday, doctors would like to grow limbs and other body tissue for soldiers who have lost arms in battle, children who

A woman stands behind a podium onstage with screen behind her saying: 47th Annual NIST Awards.

NIST Honors Staff During 47th Annual Awards Ceremony

December 9, 2019

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — More than 200 staff at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and

Bullet fragment is illuminated under microscope lens.

Kennedy Assassination Bullets Preserved in Digital Form

December 5, 2019

In the palm of his hand, Thomas Brian Renegar held two small metal objects that had changed the course of history

Events

NIST SURF Webinar 2019

Tue, Dec 17 2019, 1:00 - 2:30pm

Searching for a Summer internship? Interested in gaining valuable, hands-on experience, working with cutting edge

IAN Cloud Meeting

Identity Management & Access Control in Multiclouds Workshop and Conference

Wed, Jan 22 - Fri, Jan 24 2020

Co-hosted with Tetrate This one-and-a-half day conference will focus on identity management and access control in multi

Advancing Cybersecurity Risk Management Conference

Wed, May 27 - Thu, May 28 2020

2020 Advancing Cybersecurity Risk Management Conference: What to Expect Building on the 2018 NIST Cybersecurity Risk