Why measuring cylinder is more precise than pipette?

Answer 1

Precision describes the repeatability of results, i.e. whether you get the same answer each time you measure something. Used correctly, there is no reason why a measuring cylinder would be the more precise. The exception is if you are using an inappropriate size of pipette, as it's difficult to be precise near the bottom of its range. Too large a measuring cylinder could also be imprecise.

Answer 2

There's a difference between accuracy and precision. Accuracy refers to the "correctness" of the measurement, precision refers to the repeatability of a measurement.

If you're talking about a graduated - marked - cylinder vs. a graduated pipette, the narrower of the two will be the more precise, because the markings will be further apart, making it easier to distinguish the exact reading.

In terms of accuracy, a volumetric pipette is one of the most accurate liquid measuring devices available, because they're individually calibrated to hold a specific volume. If you need exactly that volume, it's going to be hard to do much better than a volumetric pipette.

Answer 3

The pipette is more precise because the graduations are smaller.