Yes. An Erlenmeyer flask and a conical flask are the same piece of laboratory glassware. "Erlenmeyer flask" is the formal name, after German chemist Emil Erlenmeyer who designed it in 1860. "Conical flask" is the common name used in Australian, New Zealand, and UK laboratories, describing its shape: a flat base, conical body, and narrow cylindrical neck.
The Erlenmeyer flask is one of the most versatile pieces of glassware in any laboratory. Its tapered shape reduces splashing and evaporation during mixing, its narrow neck allows stoppering or plugging, and its wide flat base provides stability. This guide covers the types available, what they are used for, and how to choose the right one.
In This Guide
Why Two Names? · Types · Sizes · Laboratory Uses · Erlenmeyer vs Beaker · How to Choose · Common Mistakes · FAQ
Why Does It Have Two Names?
Emil Erlenmeyer, a German organic chemist, designed the flask in 1860 for his work with organic reactions. The name "Erlenmeyer flask" stuck in formal scientific literature and in North American, European, and Asian laboratories.
In Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, the same flask is commonly called a "conical flask" because of its cone-shaped body. Both names appear on product labels, in Australian Standards, and in university teaching materials. They are completely interchangeable.
Quick Answer
Erlenmeyer flask = conical flask. Same thing, two names. Use whichever your lab or supplier uses. When ordering, the key specifications are volume, neck type (narrow or wide), and material (borosilicate glass or plastic).
Types of Erlenmeyer Flasks
By Neck Type
Narrow neck: The standard type. The small opening reduces evaporation, limits splashing during swirling, and accepts rubber stoppers or cotton plugs. Used for titrations, culturing, and general mixing. DWK DURAN narrow neck flasks are a standard choice.
Wide neck: Easier to fill, pour, and clean. Accepts screw caps (GL45 thread) for sealed storage or transport. Used when adding solid reagents, inserting probes, or when the flask needs to be capped. Polypropylene wide neck flasks with GL45 screw cap are available for chemical resistance.
By Material
Borosilicate glass: The standard laboratory material. Resistant to thermal shock, chemically inert, and optically clear. Suitable for heating, autoclaving, and use with most chemicals. Borosilicate glass (such as DWK DURAN or Pyrex) is the default choice for most laboratory applications.
Plastic (PP/PETG): Lighter, shatterproof, and suitable for field work or applications where breakage is a concern. Polypropylene (PP) resists most acids and bases. PETG is used for sterile, single-use cell culture applications. CellTreat sterile PETG flasks are used in mammalian cell culture with vented closures for gas exchange.
Heavy-wall / Super Duty: Thicker glass for applications involving vacuum filtration or mechanical stress. DWK DURAN Super Duty flasks include a toothed border for secure clamping.
Specialist Types
Filter flasks (vacuum flasks): Erlenmeyer-shaped flasks with a side arm for connecting to a vacuum source. Used with a Buchner funnel for vacuum filtration. DWK DURAN filter flasks are available in sizes from 250 mL to 2 L.
Baffled flasks: Internal indentations (baffles) that increase turbulence during shaking. Used in microbiology and cell culture on orbital shakers to improve aeration and mixing.
Common Sizes
| Volume | Common Applications |
|---|---|
| 50 mL | Small-scale reactions, micro-titrations, sample collection |
| 100 to 250 mL | Standard titrations, reagent preparation, culture flasks for microbiology |
| 500 mL | Medium-scale mixing, buffer preparation, vacuum filtration |
| 1,000 mL (1 L) | Large-scale reagent preparation, media preparation, collection flasks |
| 2,000 to 5,000 mL | Bulk solution preparation, large culture volumes, vacuum filtration collection |
The 250 mL narrow neck flask is the most commonly ordered size across Australian laboratories. If you are stocking a new lab, start with 250 mL and 500 mL narrow neck borosilicate flasks and add other sizes as needed.
Laboratory Uses for Erlenmeyer Flasks
Titrations: The most classic use. The conical shape allows vigorous swirling without splashing, while the narrow neck makes it easy to see the meniscus and colour changes at the endpoint.
Microbial culture: Cotton-plugged or foam-capped Erlenmeyer flasks are standard vessels for growing bacterial and yeast cultures on orbital shakers. Baffled versions improve oxygen transfer for aerobic organisms.
Reagent and media preparation: The flat base is stable on hotplate stirrers. The narrow neck reduces evaporation during heating. Graduated markings allow approximate volume measurement during preparation.
Vacuum filtration: Filter flasks (Erlenmeyer shape with side arm) are used with Buchner funnels and vacuum pumps to separate solids from liquids in applications like water testing, sample clarification, and precipitate collection.
Sample collection and storage: Wide-neck versions with screw caps are used for collecting water samples, storing prepared reagents, and transporting solutions between labs.
Mixing and dissolving: The conical shape creates a vortex when swirled, making it effective for dissolving solids, mixing reagents, and preparing solutions without a magnetic stirrer.
Erlenmeyer Flask vs Beaker: When to Use Which
| Factor | Erlenmeyer Flask | Beaker |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Conical with narrow neck | Cylindrical with wide open top |
| Splashing | Minimal (narrow neck contains liquid) | Higher (open top allows splashing) |
| Evaporation | Reduced (small opening) | Higher (large surface area exposed) |
| Can be stoppered | Yes (rubber stopper, cotton plug, screw cap) | No (open top, can only cover with watch glass) |
| Pouring | Less precise (no spout) | Easier (has a spout/lip) |
| Best for | Titrations, culturing, mixing, swirling | Measuring, pouring, heating, general mixing |
For a detailed guide on laboratory beakers, see our blog on what is a beaker and how it differs from other lab glassware.
Browse our full range of Erlenmeyer flasks from DWK DURAN, Pyrex, and CellTreat.
How to Choose the Right Erlenmeyer Flask
1. Glass or plastic? Borosilicate glass for heating, autoclaving, and chemical work. Plastic (PP) for fieldwork, transport, or when breakage is a risk. Sterile PETG for cell culture.
2. Narrow or wide neck? Narrow for titrations, culturing, and minimising evaporation. Wide for adding solids, inserting probes, and capping with screw caps.
3. What size? Choose a flask approximately twice the volume of the liquid you will work with. This allows room for swirling, foaming, and safe handling. A 250 mL flask is right for 100 to 125 mL of liquid.
4. Standard or specialist? Filter flasks for vacuum filtration. Baffled flasks for shaker incubator culture. Heavy-wall (Super Duty) for mechanical stress or clamping.
5. Cleaning requirements. All borosilicate Erlenmeyer flasks can be cleaned using standard laboratory glassware washing procedures. See our guide on how to clean lab glassware properly.
Common Mistakes
Most Common Mistake
Using an Erlenmeyer flask for precise volume measurement. Erlenmeyer flasks are graduated for approximate volumes only. For accurate volumetric work, use a volumetric flask or a calibrated measuring cylinder.
- Overfilling: Never fill an Erlenmeyer flask beyond half its capacity when swirling or heating. Liquid can foam, boil over, or splash out of the narrow neck.
- Heating a capped flask: Never heat a sealed Erlenmeyer flask. Pressure will build and the flask can shatter. Remove stoppers and caps before heating.
- Using standard flasks for vacuum filtration: Standard Erlenmeyer flasks are not designed for vacuum. The walls can implode under negative pressure. Always use a dedicated filter flask (heavy-wall with side arm) for vacuum work.
- Thermal shock: Do not place a hot borosilicate flask directly onto a cold surface or add cold liquid to a hot flask. Allow gradual cooling to prevent cracking.
Related Guides
What Is a Laboratory Beaker? · What Is Borosilicate Glass? · How to Clean Lab Glassware · Complete Guide to Laboratory Glassware
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a conical flask the same as an Erlenmeyer flask?
Yes. They are the same piece of glassware. "Erlenmeyer flask" is the formal scientific name. "Conical flask" is the common name used in Australian, New Zealand, and UK laboratories.
What is an Erlenmeyer flask?
An Erlenmeyer flask is a flat-bottomed, conical laboratory flask with a narrow cylindrical neck, designed by German chemist Emil Erlenmeyer in 1860. It is used for titrations, mixing, culturing, and reagent preparation. In Australia it is commonly called a conical flask. It is available in borosilicate glass and plastic, in sizes from 50 mL to 5,000 mL.
What is an Erlenmeyer flask used for?
Erlenmeyer flasks are used for titrations, mixing and dissolving, microbial culture, reagent and media preparation, vacuum filtration (filter flask variant), and sample collection. Their conical shape reduces splashing and evaporation during swirling.
What is the difference between an Erlenmeyer flask and a beaker?
An Erlenmeyer flask has a conical body and narrow neck that reduces splashing and evaporation. A beaker has a cylindrical body and wide open top with a pouring spout. Use an Erlenmeyer for titrations and swirling. Use a beaker for measuring, pouring, and general mixing.
Can you heat an Erlenmeyer flask?
Yes, if it is made from borosilicate glass (such as DWK DURAN or Pyrex). Never heat plastic Erlenmeyer flasks. Always remove stoppers and caps before heating. Never place a hot flask directly onto a cold surface.
What size Erlenmeyer flask should I use?
Choose a flask approximately twice the volume of the liquid you will work with. A 250 mL flask is right for 100 to 125 mL of liquid. The 250 mL narrow neck borosilicate flask is the most commonly ordered size across Australian laboratories.
Why is it called an Erlenmeyer flask?
It is named after German chemist Emil Erlenmeyer (1825 to 1909) who designed the flask in 1860 for his organic chemistry research. The design has remained essentially unchanged for over 160 years.
Where can I buy Erlenmeyer flasks in Australia?
John Morris Group supplies Erlenmeyer flasks from DWK DURAN, Pyrex, CellTreat, Scherf, and Advantec in borosilicate glass, polypropylene, and PETG. Available in sizes from 50 mL to 5,000 mL, narrow and wide neck. Browse our Erlenmeyer flask range or call 1300 501 555.
Need Erlenmeyer Flasks for Your Lab?
Borosilicate glass, polypropylene, and sterile PETG. Narrow and wide neck. 50 mL to 5,000 mL. DWK DURAN, Pyrex, and CellTreat. Delivery across Australia and New Zealand.
Call 1300 501 555 or browse our Erlenmeyer flask range online.
