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Document set current to 30 July 2026
Defined term · Analytical chemistry

Limit of detection

The lowest concentration at which the presence of a species can be distinguished from noise. Lower than the limit of quantitation and not a basis for a numerical result.

Document identifier
CEI-GT-159
Series
Defined term
Version
1.0
Published
30 Jul 2026
Last reviewed
30 Jul 2026
Certainty
Not rated

§1Limit of detection

§1.1Also known as

LOD

§1.2Category

Analytical chemistry — Terms describing the determination of identity, purity, content and quality.

§1.3Related terms

  • Limit of quantitation — The lowest concentration at which a determination can be made with stated precision and accuracy. An impurity below the limit is not absent; it is unquantified.
Compound Evidence Institute · CEI-GT-159 · https://compoundevidence.com/glossary/limit-of-detection/ · retrieved 30 July 2026
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