Understanding Reagent Grades: What AR, LR, and HPLC Really Mean

When buying laboratory chemicals, one of the most common sources of confusion is reagent grades. You may have seen labels like AR, LR, or HPLC grade on bottles or product catalogues — but what do these terms actually mean?

Choosing the right grade isn’t just a technical detail; it affects the accuracy, reliability, and cost of your experiments. At Reactivo, we believe that making informed choices starts with understanding the basics.

1. What Are Reagent Grades?

Reagent grades indicate the purity level and intended use of a chemical. Different applications — from routine lab work to advanced analytical testing — require different levels of purity. The higher the grade, the lower the level of impurities.

2. AR Grade (Analytical Reagent Grade)

• AR stands for Analytical Reagent.
• This is a high-purity grade used in analytical laboratory work, quality control, and research.
• Impurity levels are tightly controlled to ensure reliable and accurate results.
• Common uses:
  • Titrations
  • Instrument calibration
  • Research experiments
• Why choose AR?
  • Ensures accuracy in quantitative analysis
  • Suitable for applications where even trace impurities can affect results.

Example: AR grade acids and bases are commonly used in titrimetric analysis and high-precision experiments.

3. LR Grade (Laboratory Reagent Grade)

• LR stands for Laboratory Reagent.
• It is a general-purpose reagent with slightly lower purity than AR.
• Ideal for routine lab work where ultra-high purity isn’t required.
• Common uses:
  • Educational labs
  • Sample preparation
  • Basic qualitative analysis
• Why choose LR?
  • More cost-effective for general lab use.
  • Good balance between quality and price.

Example: LR grade solvents and salts are widely used for standard solution preparation and general experiments.

4. HPLC Grade (High Performance Liquid Chromatography Grade)

• HPLC grade reagents are specifically manufactured for instrumental analysis, particularly chromatography.
• These reagents have very low UV absorbance and minimal impurities that could interfere with sensitive instruments.
• Common uses:
  • HPLC analysis
  • UV-Vis spectrophotometry
  • LC-MS
• Why choose HPLC grade?
  • Ensures accurate chromatographic results
  • Prevents contamination and damage to columns or detectors.

Example: HPLC grade methanol or acetonitrile is used for analytical separations where purity is critical.

5. Choosing the Right Reagent Grade

6. Where to Get Quality Reagents

At Reactivo, we supply a wide range of AR, LR, and HPLC grade reagents suitable for educational, industrial, and research applications.
You can browse our catalogue and check product specifications directly at:

👉 https://shop.reactivo.com.sg/ 

Our team can also help recommend the right grade if you’re unsure which one fits your needs.

Understanding reagent grades helps ensure the success of your experiments and prevents costly errors. Whether you’re preparing solutions for teaching labs or conducting high-precision analysis, selecting the right grade — AR, LR, or HPLC — makes all the difference.

For assistance in selecting the best reagent for your application, contact our team or explore our online store.