# What is the difference between accuracy and precision in measurement? **URL:** \ **Category:** Instrumentation\ **Tags:** measurement, instrumentation, interviewquestions\ **Created:** [February 16, 2023, 5:19am UTC](https://forumautomation.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-accuracy-and-precision-in-measurement/10882 "2023-02-16T05:19:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Instrument\_Engineer](https://forumautomation.com/user_avatar/forumautomation.com/instrument_engineer/32/6734_2.png) [@Instrument\_Engineer](https://forumautomation.com/u/Instrument_Engineer)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2023, 5:19am UTC](https://forumautomation.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-accuracy-and-precision-in-measurement/10882/1 "2023-02-16T05:19:22Z")
In measurement and instrumentation, both accuracy and precision are important, but they mean different things. Accuracy is how close a measured value is to the real value of the thing being measured. In other words, it is a way to figure out how well the measuring system can find the right value. A measurement system with high accuracy will give values that are very close to the real value of the thing being measured. Precision, on the other hand, is how consistent a measuring system is when measuring the same thing over and over again. In other words, it is a measure of how well the measuring system can make the same value over and over again. A high-precision measuring system will give you values that are very consistent, even if they are not very close to the real value. ![image](https://cdn.forumautomation.com/original/2X/7/7f28b60d44303750c5c603daf39211fe9f73d3ec.jpeg) Think of a target with a bullseye in the middle to show the difference. Accuracy is how close a shot is to the centre of the bullseye. Precision is how close together a group of shots are, even if they are not all in the centre of the bullseye.