Reading the Volume in a 10-mL Graduated Cylinder

Adapted from the University of Wisconsin ChemPages Laboratory Resources

Step 1: Determine the scale increment:

To find the scale increment, subtract the values of any two adjacent labelled graduations and divide by the number of intervals between them.
Here subtract 6 from 7 (answer = 1) and count that there 10 graduations between the 6 and 7 labelled graduations. One graduation therefore = 1/10 mL, or simply 0.1 mL.

Step 2: Determine the volume of liquid in the cylinder:

Here the first digit is 6, since the last labelled graduation below the meniscus is six. Next, use the scale increment. There are three unlabelled graduations below the meniscus, and each graduation represents 0.1 mL, for an additional 0.3 mL. Since the bottom of the meniscus is closest to the 6.3 mL. mark, report 6.3 mL. as your answer