Pasteur pipettes offer a convinient way to transfer small amounts of liquid between vessels where accuracy in volume is not a requirement. Examples of use may include:

• Addition of solvent during recrystallisation

• Transferring liquids to/from sample vials

• Addition of reagents to reactions where only an approximate amount is required

• Dropwise addtions of a solution pre-measured into a different vessel

Pasteur pipettes are available in both glass and various plastics. In a chemistry laboratory glass pipettes are more commonly used due to greater chemical compatibility. Plastics may react or dissolve when used with some solvents or reagents. Pasteur pipettes are available in two common lengths. The more commonly used 'short' pipettes and a longer version which offers greater reach into vessels.