1I know that this is a big problem.
Weed, is one of those few things that weigh little to nothing, but cost a lot.
And in such scenarios, you want to be able to measure the weed even if you do not have any scale.
So, how to measure weed without a scale?
Well, this is what this article is all about. Not only I’ve written down some very interesting ways of measuring weed without a scale (number 3 is my personal favorite), but there is also a link to a detailed review of best weed scales in case you think that a weed scale is inevitable.
6 Different Tips on How to Measure Weed Without a Scale
1. Use Paper
I know you didn’t expect this one. Well, desperate times desperate measures!
You’d be amazed to know that weed measurements can be taken with a lot of things other than a proper herb scale.
How to use paper for this? Very simple.
Get a big piece of paper from a notebook and fold it in half. Now place it on a flat surface in a way that it should look like a scout’s tent.
Get another piece of paper and fold it into 4 equal parts. This paper’s center should also look like a tent. Place this paper right on top of the first one – in doing so, the “small tent” should sit right on top of the big one.
This will make a paper scale, because two of the four folded parts would stick out from both sides of the folded paper.
Place the amount of weed that you want to buy/measure on one side and a 1 dollar bill on the other side. 1 dollar bill roughly weighs at one gram; this means that using it you can flawlessly measure weed up to one gram.
Use other objects for bigger weights, but remember a paper scale can only measure more or less 1 gram of weed.
You cannot use it fearlessly because other than it’s being unable to measure more than a gram or two, it can also show wrong measurements because of factors like unbalanced surface or wind (ceiling fan) etc.
2. Use Ruler to Measure Weed
How much is an ounce of weed?
Or a gram …
Or two?
The problem is that when you have to measure a big quantity of weed, that paper scale will not help much.
In that case you need to either make a scale (with equal balance on both sides) with wood or some other strong material, or improvise like a pro.
For example, someone told you that they want to sell reggie weed and you might come and examine it.
You know that you cannot take a big scale with you. So, what to do?
Well, use a ruler and a penny to create a temporary scale. Balance the ruler just like you did in childhood, use the penny (coz each penny is roughly 2.5 grams), and now you can measure weed.
How to go about it? Well, you’ve been a kid so you’d figure out, but in case you need help, just use a firm, considerably narrow and stable item to balance the scale. This can be something like an eraser or paper weight.
3. Use Your Cell Phone
Yes, my favorite tip.
Because let us admit, we cannot take paper, ruler or pennies everywhere with us, but we always have our cell phones in our pockets.
And do you know what makes these smart phones even smarter? Apps. There are weighing scale apps like Weight Scale Estimator that can help you 1/8 of weed or any amount of weed that you want to measure.
Weed, herb, anything that can be placed on a cell phone’s screen! Just place it and it will tell you the right weight.
A word of caution though … not only these apps, but digital weighing scales too have this problem of telling inconsistent measurements, so do know that a quarter weed might appear a little more or less on the screen.
The reason is pretty simple – screen (and in case of digital scales, the surface) proves to be unable to show same weight even if the place of weed is changed.
So, if you move it from top to bottom of the screen or right to left (and vice versa), although it should show the same amount, it does not. Weed amounts, although they remain the same, show different weight measurements on the screen.
4. Use a Hanger
It really is all about using everyday items that are naturally balanced.
It is all about improvisation.
And hangers come pre-balanced.
So, next time you wanna know how much is a quarter of weed, just get a plastic hanger, make holes on both sides, have a durable thread go through both sides and both of the threads should be tied to two clothespins – one on each side.
This is it.
Now hang the hanger, clip the piece of weed (pieces in a zip-lock bag) on one side and a reference weight on the other side.
In case you do not have proper weights at home, use items whose weight you are very w
ell sure of. For example, pennies or dollar bills etc.
However, in case you want to turn a cheap hanger into something as good as a real scale – do more. Get two small plastic containers and instead of using clothespins, tie both of them to the threads.
Then use a home-made weight (a small stone) to balance the hanger even more. Just tie a thread to this stone and hang it right in the mid of both sides.
Now, you can keep weed/herbs in one container and dollar bills/pennies/other items in the other one and get near perfect measurements whether it is 1 ounce of weed or a gram.
5. Rubber Band Pocket Pulley
Okay, let me explain what it is and how it can help with weighing a gram of weed.
It is the most minimalist weed scale that you’d ever use. It is even smaller and lighter than a ruler or a pocket scale (the real and accurate one).
More good news?
When it comes to an item like weed that costs a lot and when you can hardly afford 1 oz of weed or so, you need a scale that can take the smallest possible measurements.
This scale made of rubber band pulley does the same job.
Here is how you make it and use it.
Get a rubber band pocket pulley or make one at home. Easier way is to get it from Amazon.
Now poke one safety pin on each side of the rubber band and have a small zip closure pouch go through each pin.
Insert an 8th of weed (or whatever quantity you want) in one bag and insert reference weight(s) in the other one.
Now, hold the wheel with two fingers and see how the balance shifts. Adjust weights to get the right amount of weed e.g. qp of weed, and your job is done.
However, since this method employs human hands, it is easy to predict that weight measurements will often be inconsistent.
Yet, you cannot deny that it is the most simplistic and easiest to carry weed scale/weed price calculator.
6. Be a Human Scale
Alright!
This is not for everyone and this is not even near a perfect way of knowing how much is an 8th of weed, but I kid you not there are people who can just hold a certain amount of weed in their hands and tell the exact weight (or with minute inconsistencies).
The only problem with this solution is that you have to go through many different weed sizes (hold ’em and measure them), until you finally ace the art of telling 2 grams of weed by just holding it in your hands.
A simple tip to learn it fast is to use both of your arms/hands as two sides of an old-fashioned scale. Have weed on one hand and then reference weigh(s) on the other hand with your arms spread to their fullest. Now you can feel if both items (weed and weights) are the same or not.
Reduce the weights or increase the amount of weed to find a balance.
Weed Scale vs Alternatives
So, can you do away with whatever use you have for a proper weed scale or you cannot survive without an actual scale?
This question is tricky, because there are certain demerits of not using proper weed scales. For example, you always have a chance of having inconsistent measurements, you and the vendor may have a heated argument about actual weight and other issues like this.
Here is a review of best weed scales that will help you a lot in case you want to go for a professional weed scale.
However, some of the unconventional scales that I’ve mentioned in this list would have a near perfect measurement every time and you can use them in a situation where access to actual weed scale is difficult and you want to know what does a gram of weed look like.