How To Use A Syringe Accurately

Hold the syringe by its flange. Grasp the syringe by the winged parts located on the end of the syringe opposite from the tip. This is known as the flange. Holding the syringe this way makes it so your fingers won't be in the way while you try to read the syringe.

Holding the syringe this way is also important for super-precise, scientific measurements, to ensure that your body heat from your fingers doesn't distort the material you're measuring in the syringe. For everyday measurements (like home medications), you don't need to worry about body heat distortion.

Over-fill the syringe. Always use a syringe that is larger than the amount you need to measure. Insert the needle into the liquid you want to measure, then slowly pull back on the plunger until the syringe is filled past the mark for the amount you need to measure.

For instance, if you are measuring out 3 milliliters (0.10 fl oz) of a children's medication, use a 5 milliliters (0.17 fl oz) or larger syringe. Pull the plunger back until the liquid fills the syringe past the 3 mL mark.

Release the plunger until it is at the mark you need to measure by. Still holding the syringe in your hand, slowly push down on the end of the plunger with your thumb until its edge is even with the point you need to measure by.

For instance, if you are measuring 3 milliliters (0.10 fl oz) of a medication, push the plunger down until it is even with the 3 mL mark.

Read from the top ring of the plunger. No matter what syringe you use, always look at the part of the plunger closest to the tip when reading it. This will be the part touching the liquid that you are measuring. The part of the plunger closest to the top of the syringe is irrelevant and not meant to be used for measuring.