Pipetting is often treated as a basic laboratory skill—something everyone is simply expected to know.
But in reality, even small habits or unnoticed differences in technique can lead to inconsistent volumes and unstable results.
If you’ve ever thought:
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“Why aren’t my results reproducible?”
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“I followed the same protocol, but the data looks slightly off.”
The cause may not be your protocol, but your pipetting technique.
In this article, we’ll walk through common pipetting errors and practical ways to prevent them, helping you achieve more reliable results at the bench.
1. Incomplete Tip Attachment
One of the most common—and easily overlooked—issues is a tip that isn’t fully seated on the pipette.
This can lead to:
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Inconsistent aspiration volumes
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Dripping during dispensing
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A different “feel” every time you pipette
How to avoid it:
Use tips that fit securely with light, even pressure.
Consistent tip geometry and proper fit make a noticeable difference in accuracy.
2. Inconsistent Aspiration and Dispensing Speed
When working quickly, aspiration and dispensing speeds often become uneven without us noticing.
This may cause:
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Air bubbles
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Volume deviation
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Reduced reproducibility
How to avoid it:
Operate the pipette at a steady, controlled speed.
For low-volume dispensing, slower and smoother movements significantly improve accuracy.
3. Residual Liquid Inside the Tip
If liquid remains inside the tip after dispensing, the actual delivered volume will be lower than intended.
Residual liquid is strongly influenced by:
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Inner surface quality
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Tip geometry
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Manufacturing precision
How to avoid it:
Choose tips designed to minimize liquid retention.
High-precision molded tips help reduce variability between dispenses.
4. Using the Wrong Tip for the Application
Using general-purpose tips for sensitive workflows—such as PCR or DNA/RNA handling—is a common mistake.
In these applications, even minor carryover or aerosol backflow can affect results.
How to avoid it:
Select tips appropriate for your workflow, such as:
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Filter tips for PCR and molecular biology
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Low-binding tips for low-concentration samples
Matching the tip to the application improves consistency and confidence.
5. Stable Pipetting Comes from Understanding, Not Habit
Experience matters—but understanding matters more.
By paying attention to:
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Tip selection
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Attachment technique
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Operating speed
you can often resolve variability issues without changing your protocol at all.
Small adjustments in pipetting technique can lead to surprisingly large improvements in data quality.
🔬 Related Products
For workflows that demand high accuracy and reproducibility—such as PCR and DNA/RNA handling—filter tips are strongly recommended.
🧩 How this fits into your content series
This article complements:
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Pipette Tips 101 (understanding consumables)
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What Is a Pipette? (foundational knowledge)
Together, they form a practical knowledge series that supports both learning and better laboratory practice.