A step-by-step guide to picking the right quartz cuvette — material, path length, windows, volume, closure and quartz grade — so your UV-Vis readings are accurate from the first run.
For most UV-Vis work the answer is the same: a standard 10 mm path length, open-top quartz cuvette. It fits every benchtop UV-Vis holder, gives a strong-enough signal for dilute samples, and covers the whole spectrum from the deep UV up. Unless you have a specific reason below, start here and deviate only when your sample or instrument demands it. Browse 10 mm quartz cuvettes →
The material sets your usable wavelength range:
| Material | Transmission | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| Optical fused silica (quartz) | ~190 nm – NIR | Any UV measurement (nucleic acids, peptides, far-UV) |
| Glass | ~340 nm – visible | Visible-only colorimetry |
| Plastic (PS/PMMA) | Visible, higher background | High-volume disposable visible work |
Because UV-Vis instruments are bought to measure in the UV, quartz is the safe default. See Quartz vs Glass Cuvette for the full comparison.
A = ε · c · l
Absorbance rises linearly with path length l. Use 10 mm for routine samples; drop to 1–5 mm short-path cells when a sample would read over-range at 10 mm; use longer paths for very dilute samples. Short-path and long-path options: Short Path / Long Path. Full detail in the Path Length Guide.
| Format | Typical fill | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Macro (standard) | ~3.5 mL | Plenty of sample |
| Semi-micro | ~1.5 mL | Limited sample |
| Micro | ~50–100 µL | Precious / small-volume samples |
| Sub-micro | ~10–50 µL | Trace volumes (keeps 10 mm path) |
Note: a micro or sub-micro cell can still have a 10 mm path — it narrows the internal width, not the light path. Micro cuvettes → / Sub-micro →
| Grade | Band | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| JGS1 (synthetic) | 190–2500 nm | Deep-UV & NIR; the all-rounder |
| JGS2 | 360–1100 nm | Economical UV-Vis routine |
| JGS3 | 260–3500 nm | Near-IR focused |
Unsure? JGS1 covers UV through NIR in one cell. Grade detail: JGS1 / JGS2 / JGS3.
| You have… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Routine UV-Vis, ample sample | 10 mm open-top quartz (JGS1/JGS2) |
| UV below 340 nm | Quartz (not glass) |
| Fluorescence / 90° | Four-clear-side fluorescence cell |
| Concentrated sample | 1–5 mm short-path cell |
| Tiny sample volume | Micro / sub-micro quartz |
| Volatile / hazardous | Screw-cap or stoppered |
| Continuous flow | Flow cell |
A standard 10 mm path length, open-top quartz cell (JGS1 or JGS2). It fits virtually all benchtop UV-Vis cuvette wells and covers the UV through visible range. 10 mm quartz cuvette →
If you measure below ~340 nm (nucleic acids at 260 nm, peptides at 280 nm, many UV assays) you need quartz. Glass is opaque in the UV and is only suitable for visible-range work. Quartz vs Glass →
A 2-window (two clear sides) cell is for normal absorbance; the beam passes straight through. A 4-window cell has four clear sides for fluorescence and 90° detection, where emitted light is collected at right angles to the excitation beam. Fluorescence cuvettes →
Use 10 mm for routine samples. If absorbance would saturate, switch to a 1–5 mm short-path cell instead of diluting; for very dilute samples use a longer path. Path length guide →
They are fused-silica transmission grades: JGS1 covers 190–2500 nm (deep-UV and NIR, the all-rounder), JGS2 covers 360–1100 nm (economical UV-Vis), JGS3 covers 260–3500 nm (near-IR). JGS1 →
Almost certainly — the 12.5 × 12.5 × 45 mm body, 10 mm path and standard Z-dimension fit the cuvette wells of virtually all benchtop UV-Vis instruments. Check beam height only for micro or specialty holders. Brand compatibility →
Yes. Scuvette makes custom quartz cuvettes — special path lengths, dimensions and screw-thread (M6/M7/M10/M12/M16) cells — to your drawing, with no minimum order quantity. Request a quote →