These days, it seems like there’s an Android app for every possible want or need, and a lot of us are skeptical about how well some of them really work.
Digital scale apps are among these types of apps, and I have good news! Digital scale apps can help you get an approximate weight for small. They do so by using the device’s accelerometer or the touchscreen’s pressure sensor.
However, they can only give you an approximation because they are limited by the hardware within your device. If you need an exact weight, you’re better off using an actual scale and maybe in the meantime device developers will include a way to get more accurate weight measurements.
Digital scale apps also aren’t able to weigh large loads, but you probably don’t want to pile a lot of weight onto your phone’s delicate screen anyway.
Still, if you only need a rough guess of how much something small weighs, digital scale apps can be a great way to do that.
Finally, there are tons of prank digital scale apps in the Google Play Store. While these apps can be fun to use to fool your friends, they also make it difficult to find useful digital scale apps without a guide like this one. Fortunately for you, you have me!
So now that I’ve cleared up the abilities and limitations of digital scale apps, let’s start checking out what I found during my escapades on the Google Play Store.
Note about our testing: The five digital scale apps for Android were tested on a Lenovo K8 Note smartphone. These free apps worked OK, and no problems were faced during the testing. The results varied from app to app. The apps have a very small footprint so they can be installed using mobile data as well.
Is There a Real Digital Scale App for Android?
Yes and No. Depends on the expected accuracy levels, you’ll be either extremely happy or unhappy with these apps. Try these apps and let us know what you think.
Bonus App
Before jumping off to the app list, check out 3 Grams Digital Scales & Weight Measurement app from RizbiT Apps. They’ve got some amazing features with free calibration points to get you started. Not just that, they currently run 20% off 20 calibration credits in-app purchase and a hefty 50% off 3 grams pro version.
#1 IQ Digital scale simulator | #2 Kitchen Scale | #3 Scale Estimator | #4 Precision digital scale | #5 Working Scale Free | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Downloads | |||||
| Google Rating | 3.2 of 5   | 3.2 of 5 | 2.9 of 5 | 2.5 of 5  | 2.7 of 5 |
| Overall Ratings | 3.2 of 5  | 3.2 of 5 | 3.1 of 5 | 3.3 of 5  | 3.1 of 5 |
| Features | | | | | |
| Help and Support | | | | | |
| Features | |||||
| Almost Accurate |  | | | | |
| Great Interface | | |  | | |
| Easy to Use | | | | | |
| Frequently Updated | | | | | |
| Measuring Systems | | | | | |
| Help and Support | |||||
| Introduction Video | | | | | |
| Active Developer | | | | | |
- Free
IQ Digital scale simulator
As its name suggests, the IQ Digital scale simulator is a simulator that can show you the weight of different things. It is not completely accurate and it doesn’t work all the time but it does tend to give you a good approximation of the weight.
The interface is simple, you place a thing on the screen and the app tells you the weight. However, I found it highly unstable and wildly inaccurate when used with some objects. I believe the volume affects the results on the screen but I may be wrong.
Google Play:JOA: - Free
Kitchen Scale
This app works differently than other digital scale apps for Android. For example, if you want to know how much salt is 5 g, this app will be able to give you an approximation for that. It is not an accurate scale app because it is not measuring anything; it is only allowing you to make a guesstimate.
The app simply displays a circle which is an approximate guess of how much volume a certain substance can take up. You can pour the salt, spice, or sugar on the screen to get a better grip on what amount is appropriate. Naturally, if your smartphone is not water resistant, measuring other substances that may stick to your screen is not recommended.
Google Play:JOA: - Free
Scale Estimator
Scale Estimator provides a rough weight estimate of objects not more than 100 grams. It is true to itself, as its disclaimer says, that it couldn’t provide a precise measurement, rather, an approximation.
It does have a bizarre way of weighing as it will require you to use a plastic bag (preferably a Ziplock bag) and a coin. You have to inflate the plastic bag, balance your phone on top, put the coin on the designated space as specified on the phone and put the object on top of the coin that you’d want to weigh.
The default coin is a US Quarter but if you’re going to use a different coin, you can tap settings and select ‘Others’.
Scale Estimator suggests that you inflate your plastic bag properly as the result varies on its rigidness. Make sure that it is properly sealed after it is inflated. Don’t worry if you cannot remember all these instructions, Scale Estimator comes with an instructional video.
Google Play:JOA: - Free
Precision digital scale
Considering that the Precision digital scale has the word “precision” in it, we can rightfully expect that it can come up with precise calculations. To come up with accurate results, the Precision digital scale app makes use of your smartphone’s accelerometer.
Just by placing the object you want to measure on the device’s screen, you’ll get its actual weight in no time. On the flip side, you have to be very careful as the pressure you put on the screen could cause the results on digital scale app for Android to fluctuate.
Google Play:JOA: - Free
Working Scale Free
The Free version of the digital scale app Working Scale made by Science With Android, the Working Scale Free uses a bunch of your phone’s built-in sensors to measure the mass of certain objects ranging from 5 grams to 100 grams.
Of course, the Working Scale Free scale app doesn’t work perfectly should it replace the analog weighing scales. However, it can function like one in its own little way. At the very least, we can be sure that this is a real digital scale app for Android.
Google Play:JOA:
Conclusion
I know there is no way a truly accurate digital scale app for Android can exist without dedicated hardware built into the smartphone. Still, I can’t help but get a little bit disappointed with the apps’ expected inaccuracy.
I know these apps may have disappointed you as well if you want accurate measurements. If you’re in that boat, at least you know not to waste the time and effort installing apps that won’t work for you. Instead, you might want to try a digital smart scale that communicates with your mobile device.
Fortunately, these apps can still be used by those of you who just need approximate weights. Just be sure to take your results with a grain of salt.
Have questions about these digital scale apps or know of a more accurate digital scale app? Let us known in the comments below.
John on
Hey great list! THanks for putting it together!
Martin D on
Thanks for the feedback. Happy reading 🙂
Camden on
The weed scale doesn’t even work.
Martin D on
Camden,
It did work for us!
Try to follow the app instructions carefully.
Jackson on
I was able to get the weed scale app to work half the time. The other half the time it didnt seem to be accurate :/ Thanks for putting this together anyways!
Dani on
Most welcome Jackson.
heart shaped on
Thanks for finally talking about >5 Best Digital Scale Apps for Android to
Weigh Whatever <Loved it!
Judy on
Hi There,
You are most welcome and I am glad you liked it. =-)