What is tare and how does taring work on a scale?
On almost every professional scale you will find a TARE key or a tare function. It lets you subtract the weight of a pack, tub, crate or pallet so that only the net weight of the product remains. In practice there are several ways of taring, and they are not all the same.
What does tare mean?
Tare is the weight of everything you place on the scale during the measurement but do not want to count as part of the product weight being determined. Think of a crate, bucket, tub, bottle, pallet, receiving container or laboratory weighing dish.
When the tare is subtracted, the scale shows the net weight. The total weight actually on the platform is the gross weight.
Gross, net and tare: the difference
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Gross | Product + packaging/carrier | A filled crate weighs 18.6 kg |
| Tare | Packaging/carrier | The empty crate weighs 1.4 kg |
| Net | The product only | 17.2 kg of product |
In this simple example: net = gross − tare.
How does taring work on a scale?
- Place the empty pack or tub on the scale.
- Wait until the weight value is stable.
- Press TARE.
- The display goes to net zero and usually indicates that the tare function is active.
- Fill the pack. The value displayed is now the net weight of the contents.
If you then remove the empty pack while the tare is still active, the display may show a negative value. That is normal: the tare value subtracted earlier is still in memory.
What types of tare are there?
Manual tare
The most common method: empty pack on the platform, press TARE and then fill. This is flexible when packs differ slightly in weight from one another.
Preset tare
With preset tare, a known tare value is entered or retrieved from an item memory. This is useful when the same tubs, pallets or packs are always used. You then do not need to tare the empty pack separately each time.
Automatic tare
In some production and checkweighing applications, the scale can automatically recognise a new stable pack as tare. This speeds up repetitive work, but requires correct configuration so that product is not accidentally treated as tare.
Tare memory per item
Advanced indicators and label printing scales can link a tare value to a product or PLU. When the item is selected, the correct tare is applied automatically.
Taring is not the same as zeroing
Zeroing is intended to restore the unloaded zero point of the scale within the permitted zero range. Taring is intended to subtract a real load, such as a pack, from the display.
On verified (legal-for-trade) scales, the zero and tare functions are part of the approved instrument configuration. So use the functions as the manufacturer intended.
Taring in production, logistics and quality control
In a warehouse, a pallet weight can be subtracted as tare. In production, a crate, bucket or container can be linked to a fixed tare value. In checkweighing a correct tare is especially important, because an incorrect tare feeds straight through into the accept/reject limits.
For automated processes, an external PLC or control system can issue a tare command via digital I/O or a communication protocol, provided the indicator used supports this. See also the weighing indicators.
Common mistakes when taring
- Treating different packs as one fixed tare. A wet, damaged or non-standard crate can be noticeably heavier.
- Forgetting to clear the tare value. The next weighing then starts with an unintended correction.
- Confusing zero and tare. This can cause confusion, especially in repetitive processes.
- Assuming a pallet weight without checking it. Pallets can vary in mass due to moisture, type of wood and wear.
- Ignoring tare errors with small tolerances. In checkweighing, a difference of a few grams can already matter.
Which scale has the right tare function?
For simple weighing, a single tare function is often enough. For production it can be useful to choose multiple tare memories, preset tare, PLU memory, digital I/O or data transfer. In the range of professional scales you can compare the functions per model.
Frequently asked questions about tare and taring
What does tare mean on a scale?
Tare is the weight of the pack, tub, pallet or other carrier that you do not want to count as product weight.
What is the difference between gross, net and tare?
Gross is product plus packaging, tare is the packaging or carrier and net is the product weight. Put simply: net = gross - tare.
Can a scale show a negative weight after taring?
Yes. If you remove a tared pack from the platform while the tare value is still active, the scale can show the stored tare as a negative value.
What is preset tare?
With preset tare you enter a known tare value without weighing the empty pack first. This is practical with standardised tubs or packs.
Is taring the same as zeroing?
No. Zeroing corrects the unloaded zero point within the permitted zero range. Taring subtracts a load that is present or preset so that the net weight is displayed.
Choosing a scale for net weighing or production?
Tell us what you weigh, what packaging you use and whether the tare should be set manually, automatically or from software. We can then give targeted advice on the right scale or indicator.