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Physical Measurement Laboratory

Office of Weights and Measures

OWM's mission is to establish uniformity, SI use, and traceability in weights and measures by advancing national and international legal metrology standards, procedures, capabilities, and training.

BIPM 150th Anniversary
BIPM 150th Anniversary Standout Poster
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Weights and Measures Support Nearly Half of U.S. GDP
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OWM Info Hours

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. 

See About OWM and OWM Fun Facts to learn more about our programs, history, and unique Responsibilities and Authorities.

OWM Quick Start: Find It Here!

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PUBLICATIONS AND DOCUMENTARY STANDARDS
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TRAINING COURSES AND EVENTS
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E-LEARNING RESOURCES
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OWM CONTACTS SYSTEM
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METRIC (SI) PROGRAM
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OWM FAQS

Projects and Programs

group photo taken at NCWM 2023 Annual Meeting; Craig VanBuren, Don Onwiler, and Mahesh Albuquerque of NCWM, Laurie Locascio and Katrice Lippa of NIST, Gene Robertson of NCWM, David Sefcik

NIST OWM – NCWM: An Enduring Partnership

Ongoing
The National Conference on Weights and Measures (NCWM) was first held as the “First Annual Meeting of Sealers of Weights and Measures of the United States” in 1905 and as part of the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), which was the predecessor non-regulatory agency to the National Institute of
OWM Laboratory Metrology Training for mass metrology

OWM Training Program: Metrology, Metrication, and More!

Ongoing
OWM offers a variety of in-person, online, and "blended" training classes and materials that provide guidance instruction on national legal metrology standards, weights and measures field inspection procedures, and laws and regulations related to packaging and labeling. OWM provides technical

Blogs

Elizabeth Gentry holding a kilogram test weight in the weights and measures training lab

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

World Metrology Day Symposium 2025

BIPM 150th Anniversary Standout Poster

The Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) invites you to celebrate World Metrology Day (20 May 2025) marking the sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary, of the
fraudulent five-gallon measure

Deception, Trickery, and Metrology

While exploring a box of early 20th century index cards in the NIST archives, I stumbled upon two that starkly illustrated one of NIST's missions – legal
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OWM Welcomes Undergraduate Researchers

The Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) welcomes Yoon Thwel, a spring Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) intern and Matthew Kenzinger, a visiting
NIST Office of Weights and Measures Info Hours

2025 NIST OWM “Info Hours” Series

The NIST Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) is pleased to announce the schedule for the 2025 Info Hours series. An Info Hour is a one-hour session that

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