Industrial Floor Scales: How to Choose the Right One
Updated October 21, 2026
The short answer: an industrial floor scale is a low steel platform on four load cells, wired to an indicator, built to weigh pallets, drums and heavy loads up to 20,000 lb or more. To choose one, size the platform to your largest load, pick a capacity above your heaviest load, and decide whether you need an NTEP legal-for-trade model. Then match the build (painted, galvanized or stainless steel) to where it will sit. Below: the types we sell with current prices, wired vs wireless, installation options, and how to keep one accurate.
How an industrial floor scale works
A floor scale has three parts:
- The platform (deck): a welded steel frame with a tread plate or smooth top that sits low to the floor.
- Load cells: usually four, one under each corner. Each one turns the force on it into a small electrical signal. A junction box combines the four signals into one.
- The indicator: the display and keypad that turn that signal into a weight. It also handles zero and tare, and sends data to a printer or computer.
Because the reading depends on four load cells sharing the load, a floor scale has to be balanced (trimmed) so it reads the same wherever the load sits. Our load cell wiring and trimming guide explains how that works and what an out-of-trim scale looks like.
Types of industrial floor scales
Every SellEton floor scale family below comes in sizes from 2' x 2' to 7' x 7' unless noted.
| Floor scale | Best for | Capacities | Legal for trade | From* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL-700 (painted steel, imported) | In-house weighing: inventory, receiving, batching | 1,000 to 30,000 lb | No (non-NTEP) | $599 |
| SL-800 (painted steel, imported) | Selling or shipping by weight | 1,000 to 20,000 lb | Yes, NTEP COC #22-056 | $899 |
| SL-900-USA (made in the USA) | Buyers who need a USA-made, legal-for-trade scale | 1,000 to 20,000 lb | NTEP-approved models | $1,148.99 |
| SL-800-W wireless | No cable between deck and indicator; indicator can ride on a forklift | By size, see product page | Yes, NTEP COC #22-056 | $1,520.99 |
| SL-800-SS stainless washdown | Food, chemical and other washdown areas | 1,000 to 10,000 lb | Yes, NTEP COC #22-056 | $2,472.99 |
| SL-800-SS-LT lift-up washdown | Washdown areas where the deck lifts for cleaning underneath; pit or above-ground | 1,000 to 10,000 lb | Yes, NTEP COC #22-056 | $3,218.99 |
| SL-4x4 galvanized (4' x 4' only) | Damp areas and docks where painted steel would rust | 1,000 to 10,000 lb | Yes, NTEP COC #22-056 | $2,873.99 |
*Prices from selletonscales.com on October 21, 2026, the lowest listed price in each family (lowest capacity). Larger sizes and capacities cost more. The product page always shows the current price. Certificate numbers are as listed on each product page.
Need something in between? The build-your-own floor scale pages let you pick size, capacity and indicator. For light, movable weighing, see our portable floor scale guide and the SL-933 portable pallet platform.
Choosing size and capacity
Size comes from your largest load's footprint. The whole base of the load has to sit on the deck, with nothing touching the floor or the frame. A 4' x 4' fits a standard 48" x 40" pallet set down by a forklift. A 5' x 5' gives room for oversized pallets and crates. Long decks such as 4' x 6' fit a pallet jack plus its pallet. Our floor scale sizes guide compares every size with prices.
Capacity comes from your heaviest load. Choose a capacity above it with some headroom, but not far above. A bigger capacity reads in coarser steps (on an SL-800 4x4, 2,500 lb reads in 0.5 lb steps, 20,000 lb in 5 lb steps). Never load a scale beyond its rated capacity, including dropping a load onto the deck.
Weighing on pallets? Our pallet scale guide covers costs and options, and the pallet jack scale guide covers weighing in the jack instead of on the floor.
NTEP and legal-for-trade floor scales
If the weight sets a price (shipping charges, selling product or scrap by the pound, paying a supplier by weight), you generally need a legal-for-trade scale. That means an NTEP-approved model that has been installed, inspected and sealed under your state's rules. The SL-800 family, including the wireless, washdown and galvanized versions, lists NTEP Certificate of Conformance #22-056 for the scale and #22-027 for the SL-7510 indicator, which is approved for 5,000 divisions.
For weighing that never sets a price, such as inventory counts, batching or checking incoming freight, a non-NTEP SL-700 does the job for less.
Rules vary by state. Check with your state weights and measures office before you buy, and have a qualified scale technician install, test and seal a legal-for-trade scale. Our NTEP and legal-for-trade guide walks through the process.
Wired vs wireless floor scales
- Wired (SL-700, SL-800, SL-900): the indicator connects to the deck by cable. The SL-700 and SL-900 ship with a 20 ft shielded cable. It's the simplest, lowest-cost setup when the indicator can be mounted near the scale.
- Wireless (SL-800-W): there's no cable to trip over or run over with a forklift. The indicator can be mounted on the forklift so the driver reads the weight from the seat, and the indicator runs on a rechargeable battery. It costs more, and the indicator battery needs charging.
Choose wireless when cable damage is a real risk, when the scale moves between areas, or when the driver needs to see the weight. Otherwise wired is the simpler choice.
Washdown, outdoor and harsh environments
- Washdown areas (food, meat, chemical): choose stainless steel. The SL-800-SS comes with a smooth or diamond-plate top. The SL-800-SS-LT deck lifts up so you can clean underneath.
- Damp docks and outdoor use: our standard floor scales aren't waterproof as-is. For outdoor or wet use, our product pages call for a stainless steel indicator, stainless load cells and a stainless junction box, plus the water-resistant upgrade. Galvanized steel resists rust better than painted steel.
- Hazardous (explosive) atmospheres: pair the scale with the SL-7510-SS-C-EX explosion-proof indicator. Confirm the classification your site requires with your safety officer before ordering.
Installation: flat, ramp or pit
- Flat on the floor: the quickest setup, fine when a forklift sets loads on from above. The floor must be flat, level concrete. A scale on an uneven floor rocks and reads poorly.
- With ramps: for pallet jacks and carts. Add an SL-750 ramp (from $573.99) or choose from our floor scales with ramps. Allow floor length for the ramp.
- In a pit: an SL-800-PF pit frame (from $449) sets the deck flush with the floor, so loads roll across in any direction. Pits are concrete work, so plan them with a qualified installer. The SL-800-PPF portable pit frame has forklift channels for moving the scale.
- Bumper guards protect the deck edges where forklifts work close by.
Indicators, printers and data
The indicators on our floor scales include an RS-232 port. That port connects the scale to:
- a ticket or label printer;
- an SL-910 remote display / scoreboard (from $299) so drivers can read the weight from a distance;
- a PC running our SL-S101 / SL-S102 data logging software.
Optional 4–20 mA or 0–5 V relay outputs let the scale signal a PLC or other control system. If you need more than a display, browse our scale indicators.
Keeping a floor scale accurate
- Keep the gap clear. Debris wedged under or beside the deck takes weight off the load cells. Clean around and under the scale regularly.
- Zero before you weigh and whenever material builds up on the deck.
- Protect the cable (or choose wireless) where forklifts turn.
- Watch for warning signs: a scale that won't return to zero, reads differently in each corner, or drifts with temperature. Those point to a load cell, cable or trim problem. Our load cell trimming guide explains the corner test.
- Have it calibrated on a regular schedule, and after a move or a hard impact, by a qualified scale technician. Legal-for-trade scales also have to meet your state's inspection schedule.
Replacement load cell kits are available if a cell fails.
Industrial floor scale FAQs
How much does an industrial floor scale cost?
As of October 21, 2026, SellEton industrial floor scales start at $599 for the non-NTEP SL-700 and $899 for the NTEP SL-800, at the lowest capacity. A common 4' x 4' starts at $699 (SL-700) or $1,199 (SL-800). Stainless washdown models start at $2,472.99. Check each product page for current prices.
What is the difference between the SL-700 and SL-800 floor scales?
The SL-700 is a non-NTEP floor scale for in-house weighing, available up to 30,000 lb. The SL-800 is NTEP legal-for-trade (COC #22-056 as listed on its product pages) for weighing that sets a price, available up to 20,000 lb.
Do I need a legal-for-trade floor scale?
You generally need one if the weight sets a price, such as shipping charges or selling goods by weight. Rules vary by state, so check with your state weights and measures office before you buy.
Can a floor scale be used outdoors?
Our standard floor scales aren't waterproof as-is. For outdoor or wet use, choose stainless steel or galvanized construction with a stainless indicator, load cells and junction box, plus the water-resistant upgrade.
Do I need a pit for a floor scale?
No. Most floor scales sit on a flat concrete floor, with a ramp if pallet jacks or carts roll on. A pit frame sets the deck flush with the floor, which helps when loads roll across from any side.
Find the right floor scale
Browse all floor scales or the NTEP legal-for-trade floor scales. For help choosing, call SellEton Scales at (844) 735-5386 or send us a message.