Weighing is one of the most common, yet critical and time-consuming, tasks undertaken in the laboratory; therefore, weighing the right way is crucial. The purpose of this guide is to identify the most common factors affecting weighing accuracy and to explain the basic rules of weighing the right way with laboratory balances. The guide begins with suggestions for finding an optimal location for the balance. It then describes proper operation of this sensitive instrument, before analyzing possible external influences and their effects. Most of these influences are recognizable by a slow change in the weight display (drift).