Weighting Up At The Supermarket (PDF)

What is Net Weight?
A: The net weight is the actual weight of the product itself, excluding any packaging materials.
Example: A bag of chips might have a net weight of 10 oz, meaning you're paying for 10 oz of chips, not the bag.

What is Gross Weight?
A: Gross weight is the total weight of both the product and its packaging combined.
Example: A jar of peanut butter may have a gross weight of 18 oz (the jar and the peanut butter together), while the net weight is 16 oz (just the peanut butter).

What is Tare Weight?
A: Tare weight refers to the weight of the packaging or container without the product.
Example: If you buy deli meat, the plastic container it's in has a tare weight. It’s important that this is subtracted when you’re charged.

How does Weights and Measures protect me as a consumer?
A: We routinely inspect retail stores to ensure that scales are accurate and product weights match the labels. Our goal is to make sure you're only paying for the product, not the packaging.

What should I do if I suspect incorrect packaging or weighing?
A: If you feel you've been charged incorrectly based on the weight of a product, first check your receipt and compare it to the label. If it doesn’t add up, contact the store's customer service or file a report with your local Weights and Measures office.

Why should I care about Net and Gross Weight?
A: Understanding the difference can save you money. Two products may appear to be the same size, but the net weight (the actual product inside) could be different, affecting which is the better deal.

What is Unit Pricing?
A: Unit pricing shows you the cost per unit of weight (such as per ounce or per pound) and helps you compare products of different sizes.
Example: If one brand of rice costs $0.15 per ounce and another costs $0.12 per ounce, the second is a better value, even if the packages look different in size.
We do not currently do Price Verification in Indiana
Example: If the shelf price says $4.99 and it comes to $6.99 at checkout, we can not currently assist with that matter. Hopefully in the future we can.