Measurement Uncertainty Calculation according to GUM: Complete Guide with Excel Formulas for Micrometers

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Measurement uncertainty assessment is an essential requirement of ISO 17025 (§7.6). This guide presents the 5 GUM equations applied to digital micrometers, with numerical simulation and ready-to-copy Excel formulas.

The 5 GUM Equations

Equation A — Repeatability Uncertainty (u_rep)

u_rep = σ / √n = standard deviation of measurements / √3

Equation B — Electronic Resolution Uncertainty (u_res)

u_res = Resolution / √12 = 0.001 mm / √12 ≈ 0.00029 mm

Equation C — Gauge Block Uncertainty (u_cale)

u_cale = U_certificate / 2

Equation D — Combined Uncertainty (u_c)

u_c = √(u_rep² + u_res² + u_cale²)

Equation E — Expanded Uncertainty (U) at 95%

U = 2 × u_c (coverage factor k=2)

Numerical Simulation — 21.500 mm Point

Source Calculation Result
u_rep 0.00058 / √3 0.00033 mm
u_res 0.001 / √12 0.00029 mm
u_cale 0.00050 / 2 0.00025 mm
u_c √(0.00033² + 0.00029² + 0.00025²) 0.00051 mm
U (k=2) 2 × 0.00051 0.0010 mm

Validation: |Error| + U = 0.0017 + 0.0010 = 0.0027 mm ≤ 0.0030 mm (MPE) → ✅ COMPLIANT

Excel Formulas

Column Excel Formula
F2 — Average =AVERAGE(B2:D2)
G2 — Error =F2-A2
H2 — u_rep =STDEV.S(B2:D2)/SQRT(3)
I2 — Expanded U =2*SQRT(H2^2+(0.001/SQRT(12))^2+E2^2)
J2 — Total error =ABS(G2)+I2

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