INTERNATIONAL ISO

STANDARD 4788

Second edition
2005-05-01

Laboratory glassware — Graduated

measuring cylinders
Verrerie de laboratoire — Éprouvettes graduées cylindriques

Reference number
ISO 4788:2005(E)

© ISO 2005
ISO 4788:2005(E)

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 ISO 4788:2005(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

ISO 4788 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 48, Laboratory glassware and related apparatus,
Subcommittee SC 6, Laboratory and volumetric ware.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 4788:1980), which has been technically revised
to incorporate the following changes:

a) three types of graduated measuring cylinders have been specified;

b) two classes of accuracy have been introduced;

c) cylinders of squat form have been added;

d) marking of cylinders has been changed;

e) capacity at lowest graduation line for 5 ml and 10 ml cylinders has been increased.

© ISO 2005 – All rights reserved iii

ISO 4788:2005(E)

Introduction
The first edition of this International Standard (ISO 4788:1980) was originally written when the use of
measuring cylinders was largely limited to the approximate dispensing of reagents in wet chemical analytical
procedures; only one grade of accuracy was specified.

More recently, with the increasing demand for accreditation and changing uses to which measuring cylinders
are put, a significant demand has emerged worldwide for a more accurate class to complement the originally
specified range.

Also, with more work being carried out in laminar-flow cabinets, glove boxes and fume extraction hoods, in
which working heights are restricted, a need for short (squat) measuring cylinders has emerged.

This International Standard addresses these two needs, and has been prepared to meet the requirements of
ISO 384. This International Standard includes

a) spouted measuring cylinders of traditional (tall) form, accuracy classes A and B,

b) stoppered measuring cylinders of traditional (tall) form, accuracy classes A and B, and

c) spouted measuring cylinders of squat form, accuracy class B.

Class A has been considered for the third type (squat cylinders) but discounted because ISO 384
requirements would only be met by cylinders having manufacturing specifications which would be virtually
impossible to satisfy.

iv © ISO 2005 – All rights reserved

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 4788:2005(E)

Laboratory glassware — Graduated measuring cylinders

1 Scope
This International Standard specifies dimensions, material and constructional and metrological requirements
of graduated measuring cylinders of tall form (Type 1a and Type 1b) and of squat form (Type 2). All types are
suitable for general laboratory use.

The specifications in this International Standard are in conformity with the principles of design and
construction of volumetric glassware given in ISO 384.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 384:1978, Laboratory glassware — Principles of design and construction of volumetric glassware

ISO 719, Glass — Hydrolytic resistance of glass grains at 98 °C — Method of test and classification

ISO 4787, Laboratory glassware — Volumetric glassware — Methods for use and testing of capacity

3 Basis of adjustment

3.1 Unit of volume

The unit of volume shall be the millilitre (ml), which is equivalent to the cubic centimetre (cm3).

3.2 Reference temperature

The standard reference temperature, i.e. the temperature at which the cylinder is intended to contain its
nominal capacity, shall be 20 °C.

When the cylinder is required for use in a country which has adopted a standard reference temperature of
27 °C; however, this value shall be substituted for 20 °C.

© ISO 2005 – All rights reserved 1

ISO 4788:2005(E)

4 Types and classes of accuracy

4.1 Types
The following three types of graduated measuring cylinders are specified (see Figure 1):
a) tall form with spouted neck — Type 1a;
b) tall form with stoppered neck — Type 1b;
c) squat form with spouted neck – Type 2.

a) Type 1a, Class B b) Type 1b, Class B c) Type 2

Key
h1 overall height
h2 internal height to highest graduation line
1 hexagonal or circular base

Figure 1 — General forms of graduated measuring cylinders

4.2 Classes of accuracy

Two classes of accuracy are specified:
a) Class A for the higher grade (Type 1a and Type 1b only);
b) Class B for the lower grade.

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 ISO 4788:2005(E)

5 Series of capacities and dimensions

The three types of cylinder shall have a series of nominal capacities as shown in Table 1 and Table 2. If
cylinders of capacities other than those listed below are required, it is recommended that they conform, as far
as possible, to the essential requirements of this International Standard.

Table 1 — Dimensions, subdivisions and limits of error for Type 1 (a and b) cylinders
Capacity
Distance from top Internal height
Nominal Overall Sub- at lowest
of scale to top of to highest Max. permissible error
capacity height divisions graduation
cylinder graduation line
line
h1 h2 ± ml
ml mm mm mm ml ml
Class A Class B
max. min. min. max.
5 115 20 55 0,1 1,0 0,05 0,1
10 140 20 65 0,2 1,4 0,1 0,2
25 170 25 85 0,5 2,5 0,25 0,5
50 200 30 110 1 5 0,5 1
100 260 35 145 1 10 0,5 1
250 335 40 200 2 26 1 2
500 390 45 250 5 50 2,5 5
1000 470 50 310 10 100 5 10
2000 570 50 380 20 200 10 20

Table 2 — Dimensions, subdivisions and limits of error for Type 2 cylinders

Capacity
Distance from top Internal height
Nominal Overall Sub- at lowest
of scale to top of to highest Max. permissible error a
capacity height divisions graduation
cylinder graduation line
line
h1 h2
ml mm mm mm ml ml ± ml
max. min. min. max.
5 80 25 30 0,5 1 0,2
10 100 30 40 1 2 0,3
25 125 30 65 1 5 0,5
50 150 30 90 1 or 2 10 1
100 170 35 90 2 12 1
250 220 35 125 5 30 2
500 255 50 160 10 60 5
1000 295 50 190 20 100 10
2000 345 50 240 50 200 20
a These maximum permissible errors correspond to accuracy Class B in accordance with ISO 384.

6 Definition of capacity
The capacity of a graduated measuring cylinder is defined as the volume of water at 20 °C, expressed in
millilitres, contained by the cylinder when filled to the highest graduation line. Where, exceptionally, the
reference temperature is 27 °C, this value shall be substituted for 20 °C.

Setting the meniscus shall be performed according to ISO 4787.

The meniscus is set so that the plane of the top edge of the graduation line is horizontally tangential to the
lowest point of the meniscus, the line of sight being in the same plane.

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ISO 4788:2005(E)

7 Maximum permissible error

Maximum permissible errors in capacity shall not exceed the values specified in Table 1 for Type 1 cylinders,
and in Table 2 for Type 2 cylinders.

These errors represent the maximum permissible error at any point on the scale, and also the maximum
permissible difference between the errors at any two points.

8 Material
The cylinders shall be manufactured from glass of hydrolytic class not lower than HGB3 in accordance with
ISO 719. The glass shall be as free as possible from visible defects, and steps shall be taken in manufacture
to ensure that it is reasonably free from internal stress.

9 Construction and form

9.1 Wall thickness

The cylinders shall be sufficiently robust in construction to withstand usual laboratory usage, and the wall
thickness shall show no gross departure from uniformity.

9.2 Stability

The cylinders shall stand vertically without rocking or spinning when placed on a level surface. They shall not
topple when placed empty (without stopper, if provided) on a surface inclined at an angle of 15° to the
horizontal.

9.3 Base

The base may be integral, of glass, or it may be detachable, of a suitable plastics or other material, and may
be either hexagonal or of other form provided the cylinder satisfies the requirements of 9.2.

9.4 Rim and spout

9.4.1 The rim of the cylinder shall be fire-polished and shall lie in a plane at right angles to the axis of the
cylinder.

9.4.2 The spout of a Type 1a spouted cylinder shall be so formed as to enable the contents of the cylinder
to be poured out in a narrow stream without spilling or running down the outside of the cylinder.

9.5 Neck and stopper

On a Type 1b stoppered cylinder, the neck shall be ground to a suitable socket size, preferably selected from
ISO 383.

A well-fitting stopper of glass or suitable inert plastics material shall be supplied. If individually ground
stoppers are supplied, each stopper, and the cylinder it fits, shall be marked with an identification number.

9.6 Dimensions

Type 1 (a and b) cylinders shall comply with the dimensional requirements given in Table 1. In the case of a
stoppered cylinder, the “overall height” shall be considered to be the height to the base of the ground neck
(see Figure 1, Type 1b).

Type 2 cylinders shall comply with the dimensional requirements given in Table 2.

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 ISO 4788:2005(E)

10 Graduation and figuring

10.1 Graduation

The graduation of all cylinders within this specification shall be in accordance with ISO 384:1978, Clause 9,
Graduation pattern II in the case of Class A cylinders and Graduation pattern III in the cases of Class B and
Type 2 measuring cylinders.

10.2 Figuring

Figuring shall be in accordance with ISO 384:1978, 10.4.

11 Accuracy testing
Testing of capacity and accuracy shall be performed in accordance with ISO 4787.

12 Marking
12.1 The following shall be permanently marked on each cylinder:

a) number indicating the nominal capacity;

b) the symbol “ml” or “cm3” to indicate the unit of volume;

The 1 000 ml and 2 000 ml cylinders may, if desired, be inscribed in terms of the litre in place of the
millilitre.

c) the inscription “20 °C” to indicate the standard reference temperature (but see 3.2 for a reference
temperature of 27 °C);

d) the abbreviation “In” to indicate that the cylinder has been adjusted to contain its indicated capacity;

e) for Type 1a and Type 1b cylinders, the letter “A” or “B” to indicate the class of accuracy and the tolerance
in accordance with Table 1;

f) the maker's or vendor's name or mark;

g) in the case of a cylinder with an interchangeable stopper (Type 1b), the size number of the joint shall be
marked;

h) the type of glass material, in accordance with Clause 8.

The permanence of marking may be assessed by the test methods specified in ISO 4794.

12.2 An individual identification number shall be permanently marked on each Class A cylinder intended for
official verification or certification, or on the stopper and cylinder in all cases where stoppers are individually
ground to fit only one cylinder.

13 Visibility of graduation lines, figures and marking

13.1 All figures and marking shall be of such size and form as to be clearly legible under usual conditions of
use.

13.2 The graduation lines, the figures and the marking shall be clearly visible and permanent, under usual
conditions of use.

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ISO 4788:2005(E)

Bibliography

[1] ISO 383, Laboratory glassware — Interchangeable conical ground joints

[2] ISO 4794, Laboratory glassware — Methods for assessing the chemical resistance of enamels used
for colour coding and colour marking

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ISO 4788:2005(E)

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