The concept of what apps to make is near limitless, and it seems like there’s an Android app for everything. Imagine living 10 years ago, you pull out your phone and use your various scale apps to weigh the coffee you’re trying to make. That’s unheard of, and if you told that to me today, I wouldn’t believe you.
But scale apps do exist now, and some actually work. Digital scale apps are apps that utilize the accelerometer of your device to give you an approximation of a certain weight. Despite the convenience, these apps are not on par or equal to the accuracy of an actual weighing scale.
The bottom line is: if you just want a rough estimate of how heavy a small item weighs, then these apps can be a great way to do that.
Its accuracy in measuring weight and has numerous limitations, making an actual weighing scale far better. However, it’s only a matter of time where an Android phone can measure the actual weight of small items.
Best Digital Scale Apps for Android
As a rule of thumb, do take into account that these apps cannot give you an accurate or precise measurement. These apps can only provide you with a rough estimate of what you’re measuring.
Kitchen Scale
App Logo
This app works differently compared to other digital scale apps for Android. The app shows you an area approximation of weight per substance instead of the actual weight. For example, choosing salt weighing 5 grams in the app will show an area that you need to fill with salt.
The app displays a circle, which is an approximation of how much volume a particular substance will take up. You can pour the sugar, spice, or everything nice on the screen to get a better grip on what amount is appropriate.
Actual Test
The app shows an area of a circle that should be an equivalent of the selected weight of the material. We tested the accuracy of the app by taking 10g of uncooked rice.
10g of rice – scale
As the image showed above, we took 10g of uncooked rice and measured it using a weighing scale. Then we configured the app to show 10g of rice.
10g of Rice with Scale App
As shown above, an actual 10g of rice is more than what the app displays that need to be covered. The rice overflows too much. Additionally, the accuracy of the app is profoundly affected by the native display of the phone as well.
For example, if a phone has a native display of 720p, the area of the circle shown for a 10g of rice is bigger compared to a device with a 1080p display.
We wouldn’t recommend this app as an option. It doesn’t weigh the material. But if you need a rough estimate without a scale, this would do, although use it at your own risk.
Scale Estimator
App Logo
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 can’t give a precise or accurate measurement, only 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.
Steps:
- You have to inflate the plastic bag.
- Balance your phone on the plastic bag.
- Put the coin on the designated space as specified by the app.
- And put the object on top of the coin.
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’s appropriately sealed after inflating.
Actual Test
This app uses the device’s proximity sensors for 3 directional levels, such as X, Y, and Z. It requires the uses of a plastic bag beneath it so it can utilize the proximity level of the device for weighing items. It also involves the use of a coin to enhance its accuracy through proximity changes.
A Nail cutter Weighing less than 25 g.
For this test, we weighed a nail-cutter. The item weighted less than 25 g according to our analog measuring scale.
Nail Cutter Weighs 25.93 g.
Next, we calibrated the app using an air-filled zip bag, a coin, and an Android smartphone. We did the same test procedure 5 times to get an accurate measurement on the app. In all 5 tests, we got the same result of 25.93 g. Even if it’s almost a gram more in weight compared to our control weight, its approximation is quite near. It’s not bad, but the result can vary a lot depending on how the app is used.
Precision digital scale
Considering that the Precision digital scale has the word “precision” in it, we expect that it can come up with precise measurements. The Precision digital scale app makes use of your smartphone’s accelerometer.
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- Calibration Weight Scale
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- Instruction Manual
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- Home UI
By placing the object you want to measure on the device’s screen, you’ll get an approximation of its weight. On the flip side, you have to be very careful as the pressure you put on the display could cause the results on a digital scale app for Android to fluctuate.
Although upon testing, we found out that the app isn’t as accurate and precise as it says to be, and we wouldn’t recommend it to people in need of emergency measurements. But do take note that it may differ from phone to phone, and what may not be accurate or precise on my device might be the opposite for yours.
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Working Scale Free
This app is the Free version of the digital scale app “Working Scale made by Science With Android.” The Working Scale Free app uses your phone’s built-in sensors to measure the mass of individual objects ranging from 5 grams to 100 grams.
Of course, the Working Scale Free scale app won’t work perfectly, and it still can’t replace analog weighing scales. However, it can function like one, albeit not as accurate as you’d expect. At the very least, you’ll be able to get an idea of the object you weigh, especially if you have another material to scale it with.
ouwere3 Grams Digital Scales app with Weight Converter – Free with In-App Purchases
App Logo
The 3 Grams 3-in-1 digital scale app is more than just a weighing scale app. The app uses your phones built-in tilt sensors to calculate the weight of similar objects. Furthermore, you can use your phone’s camera to weigh larger objects and covert one unit to another unit. Pretty neat!
One odd thing that we observed when it comes to this app is that you have to use it in a specific way to produce an accurate result. You are required to balance your phone first on something curved or soft before using it or placing objects to weigh on the bottom of the phone.
The only issue that we did not like about this app is the intrusiveness and the number of ads. Before you can even start using the app and calibrate it, you’ll experience a bombardment of ads. If you can live with that, then that’s good. Otherwise, you’re going to have to pay for the ads’ removal.
Disclaimer: The free version of this app was quite a headache for us. The app only allows you to weigh one time and will require you to purchase credits if you wish to weigh more items. 3 Grams app works similarly to the Scale Estimator app, which uses the device proximity to measure the object. Unfortunately, due to the implementation of credits. We couldn’t do any accuracy performance. It works similarly to the second app on the list.
Are you frequently in need of a scale?
Etekcity Smart Kitchen Digital Scale
Adjust your diet with the Etekcity Digital Scale!
If you’re a barista, a cook, or someone who has a penchant for being exact, then this scale can surely help you with all your needs.
The Etekcity Smart Digital Kitchen Scale is a digital kitchen scale that’s designed to aid you with your diet. It’s capable of displaying the nutrition facts of food as well as its weight. You can pair this weighing scale with your phone using the VeSync app that you can download and install from the Google Play store. Learn more about this product here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to use digital scale apps for Android?
Digital scale apps basically depend on the accelerometer of your Android device. Furthermore, each digital scale app is developed differently. Thus, the proper way of using is different for each app.
What is the best digital scale app for Android?
To be honest, we can’t recommend one digital scale app for Android. As they are right now, digital scale apps that are available for your Android smartphone or tablet have accuracy issues.
What is a digital scale app for Android that works?
As we have already mentioned above, all digital scale for Android does work. However, the problem is the accuracy of these apps. Well, that’s understandable since smartphones or tablets are not designed or equipped with functions to determine the weight of an item.
Digital Scape Apps & The Odd Position They Have
Truth be told, the current digital scale apps available for Android are far from being perfect. If developers can find a way to address the accuracy issue – be it by the development of technology – then that will be the time when these digital scale apps can truly be useful. Either way, they exist without dedicated hardware built into the smartphone.
These apps may have been disappointing for some of us, especially if these apps are your only means of weighing something important. But do take note that these are a last resort. Using these apps as your first option may give you bad results.
All-in-all, we wouldn’t recommend these apps for you, especially if you want an accurate approximation of something you’re weighing. Our devices don’t have the actual hardware to measure weight, that’s why we don’t recommend this. But if you’re in need of an approximate weight, this would do. 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.
Editors’ Recommendation:
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. =-)
Riaz on
I invite you to try 3 Grams Digital Scale App
It the only 3 in 1 digital scales app on Android
Its also available on Windows Phone
its an accurate digital and visual scales app that uses your sensors or phone camera
Daniel on
Hi Riaz, thanks for recommending your app. We added it as it seems to offer more than just a weighing scale. Although, we’d appreciate if you could lower the number of ads. It’s just too much on our experience.