Weight scales are used to measure the weight of objects. There are two kinds of scales analog and digital. A digital system is fundamentally different from an analog system.

A digital system is one, which uses numbers especially binary numbers for input, processing, transmission, storage or display rather than a continuous stream of values or non-numeric symbols such as letters or icons.

Digital is derived from the word digitus, the Latin word for finger counting. It is mostly used in computers and electronics where all information is converted into binary numeric form. Data transmitted through analog means suffer from interference from a variety of sources but in digital means, such variances can be ignored.

It is with displays that the real advantage of digital systems can be seen. For an instant impression, an instant analog light can give the answer. But for accuracy, digital displays are required. Reading analog weight scales requires time and skill but reading digital weight scales is as easy as copying down numbers.

The common early examples of digital systems are beacons; smoke signals, the evolution process through DNA, the Morse code, Semaphore signaling, International maritime signaling flags, and the modern computer modem.

A digital weighing scale is easy to read and accurate in its measurements. They are available in a number of applications - such as pocket weighing scale, postal scale, jewelry weighing scale, medical scales, fishing/game scales, industrial scales, kitchen scales, laboratory digital scales, retail scales, shipping scales.

A typical Ohaus Scout Pro digital Balance has multiple weighing units including kg, g, lb, oz, lb/oz, dwt, ozt, and has USB connectivity as well as RS232 connectivity, run by battery or ac power. Ohaus new Adventurer Prolix Scales has multiple weighing units like Ounce, Pound, carat, and pennyweight, Newton, Hong Kong and Singapore Taels, Baht, Tola etc. It has multiple application modes (weighing, animal weighing, parts counting with automatic sample recalibration, percent weighing, and check weighing).

Digital scales entering the market using advanced technology are really versatile by providing as they do a variety of weighing options.