Lab Report Template
Pick a style and sections, then print a blank lab report template — or type your report here and download it as Word or PDF.
How to make a lab report with the template
- Under “What do you want to do?”, choose Printable template to print blank lines, or Fill in online to type your report on the page.
- Pick a report style: General science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Formal (university, with abstract), or APA style for psychology. Each style starts with a cover page.
- Switch sections on or off. Turn off any section your teacher does not require. To go back to the standard list for a style, choose Use the default sections for this style.
- For a printable template, decide whether to show the guidance note under each heading, since you can hide these. Then write on the handwriting lines and fill in the cover lines for report title, name, lab partners, course, instructor and date.
- For fill in online, type into the boxes for each section, including the cover fields. For the data section, build a table with 3 to 15 rows and 2 to 6 columns and enter your own column headings.
- Check the word count shown for each section, then choose a paper size, US Letter or A4.
- Choose Download PDF, Download .doc (Word), Copy as text, or Print. Print opens the print dialog with only the report sheets.
Your typed text is saved automatically in this browser. Load example fills the form with a complete sample chemistry report if you want to see a finished model first. Clear asks for confirmation before it removes anything.
What is the format of a lab report?
A lab report is a written record of an experiment, arranged so that another person could read it, understand what you tested, and repeat the work. Most reports follow the same order: a cover page, then an overview of the purpose, the method, the results, and what the results mean. Headings keep each part easy to find.
The exact sections depend on the subject and the course. A chemistry report usually adds a calculations section, while a physics report may use a separate analysis section. A formal or university report often starts with a short abstract and ends with references. Psychology reports in APA style follow a different order that puts participants and methods in their own parts.
What goes in each section of a lab report?
The purpose or introduction states why you ran the experiment and what question you wanted to answer. Keep it short and specific, and name the variable you changed and the one you measured.
The hypothesis is a prediction you can test. It should state a relationship between the variables and give a reason, so that the results can clearly support or contradict it.
The materials section lists the equipment, chemicals and quantities used. Include units and sizes where they matter, such as a 100 mL beaker or 5.0 g of solid.
The procedure explains what you did. Write it as a numbered sequence in the past tense, with enough detail that someone else could repeat the experiment exactly.
The data and results section shows what you observed. Put raw measurements in a table with clear headings and units, and describe the main pattern in words. Do not explain the cause here.
Calculations show how you turned raw data into the values you report. Show one full worked example for each formula, with units at every step, then give the rest of the results in a table.
The discussion interprets the results. Say whether the data supported your hypothesis, compare your values with what you expected, and explain the likely reasons for any patterns.
Sources of error name specific causes that affected your data, such as a thermometer that only reads to the nearest degree or a timer started late. Explain how each one could change the result.
The conclusion answers the original question in a few sentences, using the key numbers from your results.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the lab report template as a Word document?
Yes. Choose Download blank .doc (Word) in the printable template mode to get the headings and guidance as an editable file. The file opens in Word, Google Docs or LibreOffice. If you have typed a report online, Download .doc (Word) saves your text in the same format.
Is there a lab report example I can look at?
Yes. In Fill in online, select Load example to fill the form with a complete chemistry report called “Effect of Water Temperature on the Rate of Dissolving Sugar.” It includes calculations of mean time and rate, sources of error and a reference. In the example, the mean dissolving time fell from 95.0 s at 10 °C to 11.0 s at 70 °C.
How is an APA lab report different?
An APA lab report uses the APA style for psychology: Abstract, Introduction, Method with Participants, Materials and Procedure, Results, Discussion and References. The main difference from a general science report is the Method section, which has three parts: who took part (Participants), the measures and equipment used (Materials) and what happened step by step (Procedure). Choose the APA style in the report style list, then check your instructor’s rules for citations and formatting details, since the template sets the structure of the sections.
Where is my typed report saved?
Your typed text is saved automatically in the browser you are using on that device. Nothing is uploaded, so the report will not appear on another computer or phone. Download a .doc or PDF copy if you need to keep the report or move it elsewhere.
Can I hide the guidance notes in the printable template?
Yes. Each section heading in the printable template has a short guidance note underneath, and you can hide these notes before you print. This leaves only the headings and writing space.
Does the lab report template cost anything or require an account?
No. The tool is free and does not need a sign-up. Your work stays in your browser unless you choose to download or print it.
Related tools
- Scientific method worksheet: Use it to practice writing hypotheses and planning experiments before you start your lab report.
- Printable periodic table: Keep it nearby when you look up atomic masses for chemistry calculations.
- Naming compounds practice: Use it to check chemical names that you write in the materials section.
- Periodic table with charges: Reference it when you work out ion charges for chemistry reports.
- States of matter worksheet: Practice the particle ideas behind temperature and dissolving experiments.
- Cell labeling worksheet: Review cell parts when you write a biology lab report.
- Science worksheet generator: Create practice sheets on other science topics when you need extra work for a class.