What is Durometer? All You Need to Know

Let's be real. In manufacturing and supply, getting the physical properties of your materials right is fundamental to the quality of your final product. For that, you need to measure hardness, and there's a pocket-sized gadget for the job that is, frankly, an absolute hero in any quality process.

What is Durometer?

A durometer is a handheld gadget that you press against a material—like a polymer or rubber—to see how much it fights back against getting a dent. That "fight" is what we call its hardness.

It spits out a score from 0 to 100. A super low score means the material is ridiculously squishy. A super high score means it’s tough as nails. We genuinely believe that getting a handle on this simple idea is one of the most practical things a professional can do for their quality control.

Durometer Hardness Scale

You’ll mostly hear about two main scoring systems, or "scales": Shore A and Shore D.

• Shore A is the designated scale for soft and flexible materials.

• Shore D is used for rigid materials. 

For the detailed explanation, you can check our separate article → Durometer Hardness Scale: A Complete Guide

Shore Hardness vs. Durometer

These two terms are often used as if they are the same thing, but there is a technical difference. We find the clearest way to explain it is this:

Shore Hardness is the measurement value you get (e.g., "70A").

The Durometer is the instrument you use to get that value.

Using these terms correctly ensures clear communication within your team and with suppliers, which we see as a critical part of an efficient quality process.

How to Use a Durometer

There's more to getting a good result than just pressing the tool against a surface. Proper technique is what separates a reliable reading from a useless one. 

The core technique is simple: position the instrument perfectly straight, apply firm and steady pressure onto a flat, thick sample, and read the score without delay. We always tell our clients to average several readings to get a result they can truly trust. 

For a full, detailed breakdown of the process, we have a separate guide on that → How to Use a Durometer in a Few Easy Steps

Analog vs. Digital Durometers: Which Is Right for You?

Okay, this is where you have to make a choice for your business: do you go with the old-school analog model or the slick digital one? We have opinions.

Analog Durometers

This is your classic, dial-faced instrument. And honestly? We still have a ton of respect for them. These things are tanks. You could probably drop one on the shop floor, pick it up, and it would still give you a solid reading. There are no batteries to die, no screens to crack, no nonsense.

Our take: For quick spot-checks and general use in rugged environments, the reliability and cost-effectiveness of an analog durometer are very attractive.

Digital Durometers

These instruments provide a precise reading on an LCD screen. In our view, digital models offer a clear advantage in readability, which greatly reduces the chance of human error. They frequently come with valuable features like memory hold and data output for traceability.

Our take: For quality control labs and any application where a high degree of precision and data logging are necessary for compliance, a digital durometer is the clear choice.

Let Qualitest Equip You

So, the durometer isn't some overly complex piece of lab equipment. It’s a practical, must-have tool for making sure your materials are exactly as hard or soft as your specs demand. And a team that can use one correctly is a team that takes quality seriously.

Now you know the deal. Whether you're on Team Analog or Team Digital, the real goal is getting an instrument that gives you a number you can trust, without blowing your budget. 

At Qualitest, we have a whole pile of cost-effective options that do just that. We can talk you through what you're testing and help you pick out the perfect tool for your quality process.

Browse our range of cost-effective Durometers