e-Learning Resources and Training Materials

Trust in Transactions: The Economic Power of Weights and Measures

When you fill up your tank, you trust you’re getting exactly one gallon for the price advertised. The foundation of that trust is a consistent and scientifically grounded U.S. system of measurement. And it’s not just fuel pumps: Accurate measurements impact groceries, construction materials, transportation, and countless other industries. The U.S. Constitution grants the federal government authority to fix the standard of weights and measures. Today, that responsibility lies with the Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Working alongside local and state agencies as well as technical experts, the NIST Office of Weights and Measures helps safeguard every commercial transaction, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and equity in the marketplace. Their work supports fairness and uniformity in commercial transactions across the country, from your corner store to your gas pump. Duration: 2.5 minutes.

Unit Pricing Guidance

Verifying the Net Contents of 20 lb Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Propane)

This webinar suite describes the process of verifying the contents of 20 lb LPG cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or propane, and covers LPG properties, the method of sale, tare weights, cylinder materials and markings, net content labeling and labeling requirements, and evaluation of inspection results and verification tests. Total Duration: 3.25 hours.

Method of Sale and Test Procedure for Packages of Animal Bedding

This webinar provides an overview of the method of sale and test procedure for verifying the volume declaration on packages of animal bedding according to NIST Handbooks 130 and 133. Duration: 41 minutes.

Packaging and Labeling for Consumer Packages

This webinar provides an overview of NIST Handbook 130 and packaging and labeling for consumer packages. Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes.

Weights and Measures Inspections: Evidence, Search and Seizure and Due Process

This webinar will cover the legal obligations when performing weights and measures inspections, including evidence, search and seizure, and due process. Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes.

Overview of NIST Handbook 133 “Checking the Net Contents of Packaged Goods”

After this webinar, participants will be able to: IDENTIFY and DESCRIBE NIST Handbook 133 basic requirements for checking the net content of packaged goods, and RECOGNIZE the various gravimetric and volumetric test procedures, as well as test procedures for packages labeled by count, linear measure, area, and thickness. Duration: 2 hours.

Examination Procedure for Price Verification

This 2-hour webinar will provide inspectors with an understanding and knowledge of the NIST Handbook 130 Examination Procedure Outline (EPO) on Price Verification. Duration: 2 hours.

Package Requirements (Short Explainer)

David Sefcik discusses the basics around The NIST Individual Package Requirement according to NIST Handbook 133. Duration: 3 minutes.

NIST Metric Kitchen - Brownies

Join Angie Tehrani in the NIST Metric Kitchen and follow her along as she bakes some amazing brownies using the metric system. Duration: 5 minutes.

NIST Metric Kitchen - Chocolate Chip Cookies

Step into the NIST Metric Kitchen with Lloyd Bekele. Follow along as she bakes a delicious batch of metric chocolate chip cookies. Duration: 5 minutes.

NIST Metric Kitchen - Baking Banana Bread

Welcome to the NIST Metric Kitchen! Join Tanna Nguyen as she demonstrates how to prepare a delicious loaf of banana bread. Duration: 5 minutes.

Mulch and Soils Labeled by Volume

This on-demand webinar describes how to test packages of mulch and soil labeled by volume. It contains individual learning modules, including video demonstrations. Duration: 1.5 hours.

Enter password “NIST_2020” for access. No registration is required.

Get What You Pay For: Tare

Did you know you can't be charged for the packaging of products sold by weight? Learn why it's important that grocery stores not charge for this material - or tare. Duration: 2.5 minutes.

Get What You Pay For: Seafood

Did you know you can't be charged for the weight of any ice glaze that may be on your seafood? Find out how weights and measures inspectors make sure you're getting what you pay for at the seafood counter! Duration: 2.5 minutes.

Get What You Pay For: At the Grocery Store

Tina Butcher explains how weights and measures inspectors calibrate scales at the grocery store. Duration: 2.5 minutes.

Retail Motor-Fuel Dispenser

Video demonstrations of the minimum tests of a retail motor-fuel dispenser (gasoline pump) in accordance with NIST Handbook 44 and NIST Examination Procedure Outlines. Duration: 14 minutes.

Proficiency Testing Program for U.S. State Weights and Measures Laboratories

This Info Hour will provide attendees with an overview of OWM’s proficiency testing (PT) program, describe how the program operates, and demonstrate the vital role it plays in evaluating the competency and traceability of participating laboratories’ measurement results. As part of this overview, we will discuss updates made to NISTIR 7214, “Quality Manual for Proficiency Testing and Interlaboratory Comparisons,” and NISTIR 7082, “Proficiency Test Policy and Plan,” to bring them into compliance with ISO/IEC 17043 (2023), “Conformity Assessment.”

OWM Study Results on the Use of a Portable Digital Density Meter as a Field Inspection Device

NIST OWM's Diane Lee and International Guest Researcher Ombati Nyang'au present the results of a NIST OWM study on the use of portable digital density meters (PDDMs) as field inspection devices. The discussion includes a basic explanation of how to measure and determine liquid density with portable digital density meters; a review of the preliminary study results of the NIST OWM comparison study of liquid density measurements using PDDMs and the gravimetric method typically used in inspections; and an examination of the impact of using PDDMs in liquid package inspections compared to the gravimetric method. Moderated by NIST OWM's David Sefcik.

Tips and Tools for Navigating the PDF Electronic Version of NIST Handbooks

This is the last year (2025) that NIST Handbooks 44, 130, and 133 will be printed in hard copy. In this informational session, we will discuss how to effectively move through and access information within Portable Document Format (PDF) NIST OWM Handbooks. We will demonstrate how a NIST Handbook publication in a PDF file format can be displayed using various tools and features, including page navigation, bookmarks, search functions, links, and document structure, enabling them to quickly locate specific content within complex PDF documents, often utilizing a PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat.

NIST OWM's Role within NCWM and the U.S. Weights and Measures System

In this Info Hour session, NIST OWM's John McGuire leads a discussion about OWM's work to ensure that consumers get what they pay for, and sellers get a fair payment for the goods and services they sell, by promoting a uniform and technically sound system of weights and measures. The session includes an explanation of OWM's role within the National Council on Weights and Measures (NCWM) and the entire U.S. weights and measures system stretching back to the early 1800s.

Revolutionizing Mass Calibrations with the Tabletop Kibble Balance

The NIST Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) is hosting a series of Information Hours, or "Info Hours,” to feature insights on topics relevant to legal metrology and documentary standards through an informal forum of technical discussions and Q&A. In this week's session, Leon Chao from the NIST Physical Measurement Laboratory presents his team's work designing and building a prototype for a commercial, tabletop Kibble balance that could revolutionize mass calibrations.

Mathematical Agreement in Tare Operations

A discussion regarding NIST Handbook 44 Section 2.20., S.1.2.1. Digital Indicating Scales, Units to clarify and ensure scales are designed to properly determine an accurate net weight, specifically the role that mathematical agreement between the gross, net, and tare weight values plays when a tare mechanism is in operation. This session is intended to capture the recent experiences and anticipated needs of the weights and measures community who are responsible for regulating, designing, or evaluating weighing instruments.

Emerging Legal Metrology Device Technology

A discussion regarding new measurement technology in legal metrology devices as well as devices that use established technology in new or unique weights and measures applications. This includes (but is not limited to) bi-direction metering and wireless charging for EVs, driverless taxis, and caper cart mobile and “no scan” point of sale systems. This session is intended to capture the recent experiences and anticipated needs of the states and other stakeholders using this emerging technology. Duration: 62 minutes.

Software in Metrological Devices

A discussion regarding the evolution of weighing and measuring devices and the impact of software on the legal metrological control of these devices, including any threats to software-controlled devices and what measures are taken to secure measurement results. This session is intended to provide guidelines on how to verify compliance with software-controlled devices, consider the role of type evaluation, and provide information on the new NCWM Publication 14 on software and on the most recent international developments. Duration: 56 minutes.

“Digitalization” of NIST Handbooks 44, 130 and 133

A discussion on the transition of NIST Handbook 44, 130, and 133 to new electronic file formats (PDF) and eventually into a full “digital” format, including how to best leverage this resource as a field resource tool. The session is intended to capture the needs of the states and address any issues or concerns. Duration: 53 minutes.

EVSE General and Device Specific Markings

A discussion on how to find all required marking information during jurisdiction inspections of EVSEs, including the type and format of general and device-specific marking information applicable to electric vehicle fueling systems or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) based on NIST Handbook code requirements. Duration: 52 minutes.

e-Commerce Model Regulation

A discussion on the new model regulations within NIST Handbook 130, as adopted in 2023, will help explain what information is required on e-commerce sites offering products for sale and the product information required accompanying delivery. It will also discuss the benefit of price, quantity, and identity information during an e-commerce transaction. Duration: 50 minutes.

Importance of Grain Moisture Measurements 

A discussion on the importance of grain moisture meter measurements and their economic impact, which will include the system of grain moisture measurements in the U.S., the economic impact of grain moisture measurements, and resources for States with grain moisture meter programs. Duration: 50 minutes.

Manual Weight Entries

An informal discussion on NIST Handbook 44 Scales Code paragraphs S.1.12. Manual Weight Entries and UR.3.9. Use of Manual Weight Entries including the history of these paragraphs and how to interpret and apply them, what must be printed on recorded representations, when a manual weight can be entered, and the conflict between the specification and the user requirement. Duration: 56 minutes.