Few scales are still built in the USA. Detecto, part of Cardinal Scale in Webb City, Missouri, still builds its classic stainless steel weighbeam physician scales there, while many lower-priced scales sold under American brands come from Asia.
A scale is mostly its frame, platform and weighing mechanism or load cells, plus electronics on digital models. Each listing is rated for the company's most American-made line and says what is known to come from elsewhere.
Detecto makes medical, retail, food service and industrial scales, including mechanical weighbeam and digital physician scales, bariatric, chair, baby and portable stand-on scales for clinics and hospitals. Founded in Brooklyn in 1900, it has been part of Cardinal Scale Manufacturing of Webb City, Missouri since 1981.
Detecto's 2021 bulletin for its stainless steel weighbeam physician scales lists "Construction: Stainless steel" and "Country of Origin: USA," with the Webb City, Missouri address. Its company history speaks of "today's modern manufacturing in Missouri." The redesigned detecto.com product pages no longer state a country of origin.
Its 6100 Series portable stand-on scales are labeled "Made in USA (of American and global components)" in a 2024 bulletin. A third-party site reports that Detecto's beam scales without an S in the model number are made in China, and its lower-priced home scales are reported to be imported; check the model before buying.
Production history: Detecto started in Brooklyn in 1900 and joined Cardinal Scale in Webb City in 1981; Cardinal says its manufacturing campus is still there (2026). We found no plant closing or move.
Our rough estimate: imported or likely imported parts (height rod and other hardware) are about 5–20% of the value.
Level 4 for its stainless steel weighbeam physician scales (commercial): Detecto lists its stainless weighbeam physician scales as made in the USA at Cardinal Scale's Webb City, Missouri campus; some of its other scales are made abroad.
Check the model. Detecto lists its stainless weighbeam physician scales as made in the USA, but a third-party site reports that its beam models without an S in the model number are made in China.
Digital scales often use imported electronics. Detecto labels its 6100 Series stand-on scales "Made in USA (of American and global components)."
US-built home bathroom scales are hard to find. We haven't confirmed one yet; the scales listed here are made for clinics, gyms and businesses.
Each listing's research notes show what was checked and when, including our rough estimate of how much of the value is imported.
Scale makers by state
Missouri: Detecto (Webb City)
Change log
This is a new page. It replaces our old Bath Scales pages (last reviewed in 2014 and 2015).
Detecto was re-checked, including where it has made its scales over the years, and moved here from the Bath Scales page because its US-made scales are professional models.
Every maker now has a Made in USA level from 0 to 5, with the sources and research notes behind it. See how the levels work.
Listings checked by Dave Hurley.
Know a USA-made company we missed?
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A company may be based in the USA while making some products elsewhere. Check the manufacturer's own site for where a specific product is made.
