What is a stage micrometer used for?

A stage micrometer is a reference scale placed on the microscope stage. It is used to calibrate an ocular micrometer or imaging system at each objective magnification or zoom setting.

Do I need a stage micrometer if I already have an ocular micrometer?

Yes. The divisions of an ocular micrometer do not represent a fixed specimen size until they are calibrated with a stage micrometer for the selected microscope magnification.

Which stage micrometer should I choose?

Choose the scale length, pitch and cover-glass configuration according to the microscope type, illumination method and required measurement resolution.

Microscope & Accessory

Stage Micrometer

Reference scales for microscope calibration and measurement accuracy.

Stage micrometers are used to calibrate ocular micrometers, microscope cameras and image-analysis measurement workflows. Select the scale length, division, pitch and cover-glass configuration according to the microscope type and required resolution.

Biological Microscope Metallurgical Microscope Stereo Microscope Micrometer Calibration

Transmitted Scale Section Scale Reflected Scale Stereo / XY

How Stage Micrometers Are Used

A stage micrometer provides a known reference scale on the microscope stage.
By comparing this reference scale with an ocular micrometer or camera image, the actual specimen size per division can be determined.

Calibration Method

Calibration should be performed for each objective magnification or zoom setting.
Use transmitted-light types for biological microscopes and reflected-light types for metallurgical observation.
XY scales are useful when a wider field reference is needed for stereo microscope observation.

For Transmitted / Biological Microscope - Scale

General stage micrometers for transmitted-light biological microscope calibration.

Code	Length (mm)	Division	Pitch (mm)	Price	Note
NOB1	1	100	0.01	$92	With cover glass
NOB2	1	200	0.005	$144
OB1	1	100	0.01	$92
OB2	2	200	0.01	$115
OB5	5	500	0.01	$246
OB500	1	500	0.002	$470

NOB1 Scale Pattern

NOB1 and OB1 stage micrometer scale pattern

Scale length 1 mm / 100 divisions
pitch 0.01 mm.
Triple concentric-circle baseline: diameter
1.5 / 2.0 / 2.5 mm. Line width: 10 μm.

OB1 Scale Pattern

Scale length 1 mm / 100 divisions
pitch 0.01 mm.

NOB1 note: the triple-circle baseline makes it easier to locate the scale, and numbering from 0 to 10 is provided at every 10 divisions.

For Transmitted / Biological Microscope - Section Scale

Section-type stage micrometers for specific transmitted-light measurement workflows.

Code	Length (mm)	Division	Pitch (mm)	Price	Note
OH1	0.2	20	0.01	$104	With cover glass
OH2	10	100	0.1	$104	Without cover glass

For Transmitted & Reflected Stereo Microscope - XY Scale

XY-type stage micrometer for stereo microscope observation and wider field reference.

Code	Length (mm)	Division	Pitch (mm)	Price	Note
OSM1	20	200	0.1	$175	XY scale

OSM1 Scale Pattern

XY Type 20mm / 200 divisions, 0.1mm pitch