Karl Fischer Titration vs. Moisture Analysers: What’s Best for Your Application?

What’s the difference between Karl Fischer and moisture analysers?

Karl Fischer titration is a chemical method used to detect trace moisture (very low) levels, often down to parts per million (ppm). Moisture analysers, on the other hand, use a thermal drying method to determine total moisture content. While both tools measure moisture, they serve very different purposes, and not all industries require the ultra-precision of Karl Fischer.

At Scales & Balances, we specialise in thermal moisture analysers (halogen and infrared). Many customers ask how these compare to Karl Fischer systems, so we’ve created this guide to help you choose the right tool for your needs.

Discover the complete guide: Moisture Analysers – Everything You Need to Know

How does Karl Fischer titration work?

Karl Fischer titration is a chemical method based on the reaction between iodine and water. It’s highly accurate and suitable for:

• Trace moisture detection (ppm-level)
• Pharmaceuticals and active ingredients
• Specialty chemicals and oils
• Gases and extremely dry materials

It is often required in regulated environments, including pharmaceutical testing under the British Pharmacopoeia’s Karl Fischer method for water content. In the UK, MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) guidance also recognises Karl Fischer as a validated approach for precise moisture determination in drug substances and formulations.

Limitations of Karl Fischer testing

Despite its precision, Karl Fischer has drawbacks:

Repeatability   Results may be marginally different in each test.

Moisture analysers: A practical alternative

Moisture analysers offer a faster, simpler, more repeatable method for determining moisture content in a wide range of applications, particularly where ppm-level detection is not essential.

How do they work?

Moisture analysers use halogen or infrared heating to dry a sample, then calculate moisture content from weight loss. This method measures total moisture (not just water), making it ideal for:

• Food and beverage quality control
• Environmental labs and agricultural testing
• Industrial production (e.g. plastics, powders, textiles)

Comparative overview

When should you choose a moisture analyser?

If your process doesn’t require trace-level accuracy or regulatory titration, a thermal moisture analyser is typically the more cost-effective and convenient choice.

🔍 Example scenario:
A UK-based nutraceuticals company testing powdered supplements may only require accuracy to 0.1%. Using a Karl Fischer setup would be excessive, expensive, and slower, while a halogen moisture analyser like the Adam PMB would provide quick results and simple operation with minimal training.

UK insight: industry guidance

According to the UK Laboratory Analytical Procedures Consortium, Karl Fischer remains a preferred method for trace-level pharmaceutical testing. However, for general manufacturing and food production, “thermal moisture analysis offers a reliable and practical solution, particularly when rapid results and low running costs are essential.”

This mirrors what we see across the UK: more and more businesses are switching from chemical titration to thermal drying for non-critical testing.

Our expert recommendation

If your lab or production site requires fast, reliable moisture readings, and you’re not working under strict regulatory standards like British Pharmacopoeia’s or MHRA, a halogen or infrared moisture analyser is usually the smarter, more scalable choice.

At Scales & Balances, we offer a wide range of moisture analysers for different sample types, industries, and budgets. Need help choosing? Our technical team is always happy to help.

Final thoughts

Karl Fischer titration has its place in analytical chemistry, especially for trace-level and regulatory testing. But for most users, thermal moisture analysers offer a better balance of speed, simplicity, and value.

Let us help you find the right moisture analyser, so you can focus on results, not reagents.

🔎 Explore moisture analyser options:

• Adam PMB Moisture Analyser
• All Moisture Analysers