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Office of Weights and Measures

NIST OWM establishes uniformity, equity, SI use, and traceability in weights and measures by advancing national and international legal metrology standards, procedures, capabilities, and training.

The NIST Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) works to ensure that consumers get what they pay for and sellers get fair payment for the goods and services they sell by promoting a uniform and technically sound system of weights and measures. This, in turn, promotes consumer confidence and helps ensure fair competition for U.S. commerce that spans from local business operations to a global scale. 

OWM's programs work to ensure:

Originally established in 1836 as the “Office of Construction of Standard Weights and Measures”, OWM remains the oldest office at NIST.  See A Brief History of OWM for more information.

To learn more about OWM and its roles and responsibilities, see About Us.

Projects and Programs

Celebrating A Successful 2024 Regional Measurement Assurance Program (RMAP)

Ongoing
Within each region, metrologists from the state laboratories, together with representatives from the various metrology industries, gather each year to network, share experiences, and receive training in a variety of metrology topics. These meetings are unique in that they not only bring together the

Coriolis Mass Flow Meters as Field Test Standards

Ongoing
Customers and businesses alike rely on metering systems to monitor and deliver their liquid-based commercial products (including a range of gas and fuels) consistently over time and across a range of locations. Weights and measures officials use several well-acknowledged field test standards to

Info Hours Presented by NIST OWM

Ongoing
Listed below are the upcoming topics for 2024, each with a direct link to the session description and login information. Please "Save the Date" and add meeting links to your calendars: MANUAL WEIGHT ENTRIES (June 05, 2024 at 2:00 - 3:00 pm EDT). OWM will be conducting an informal discussion on

Blogs

Busting Myths about the Metric System

This year will be the 45th anniversary of the Metric Conversion Act, which was signed on December 23, 1975, by President Gerald R. Ford. Normally, we celebrate

Newsletter Articles and Updates

2024 NIST Internship Reflections

During the summer of 2024, the NIST Physical Measurement Laboratory’s ( PML) Office of Weights and Measures ( OWM) hosted two undergraduate students through the

Awards

Events

5866 Fundamentals of Metrology

Mon, Oct 21 - Fri, Oct 25 2024
Course Description The 5-day Fundamentals of Metrology seminar is an intensive course that introduces participants to

91 Mass Metrology Seminar

Mon, Oct 21 - Fri, Nov 1 2024
Course Description The Mass Metrology Seminar is a two-week, "hands-on" seminar. It incorporates approximately 30

89 Fundamentals of Metrology

Mon, Jan 27 - Fri, Jan 31 2025
Course Description The 5-day Fundamentals of Metrology seminar is an intensive course that introduces participants to

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