Square & rectangular sizes
No.1 / No.1.5 thickness
0.13-0.19 mm
Pre-cleaned
Borosilicate glass
For histology, cytology, pathology & confocal microscopy
Availability: In Stock
Coverslips for Microscope Slides
Description
What Are Microscope Cover Slips?
Thin glass squares or rectangles (usually 18×18 mm, 22×22 mm, 24×50 mm) placed over specimens on microscope slides. Flatten the sample, protect the objective lens, and create a uniform viewing layer. Made from borosilicate glass – optically clear, warp-free, and chemically resistant.
Why pre-cleaned? Out of the box, ready to use. No washing, no residue, no extra prep. Saves time and prevents contamination.
Standard Sizes – Which One Do You Need?
| Size (mm) | Best for | Cell culture wells | Specimen coverage |
| 18×18 | Small tissue sections, cytology smears | 48-well, 96-well plates | Covers approx. 75% of standard slide area |
| 20×20 | General routine histology | 48-well plates | Good balance of coverage |
| 22×22 | Most common – routine histology, H&E, Pap, Gram stains | 24-well plates | Covers most of the specimen area |
| 24×24 | Large tissue sections, whole mount specimens | 12-well plates | Full coverage |
| 24×32 | Whole mount, multiple sections per slide | 12-well plates | Wider coverage |
| 24×40 | Long tissue sections, multiple sections | 6-well plates | Extra length for large specimens |
| 24×50 | Whole slide coverage, automated coverslippers | 6-well plates | Covers nearly entire 75 mm slide length |
| 24×60 | Whole slide coverage, robotic coverslippers | 6-well plates | Full length coverage |
All sizes compatible with standard 25×75 mm microscope slides. Available in No. 1 (0.13-0.16 mm) and No. 1.5 (0.16-0.19 mm) thickness grades.
Thickness Grades – Why No. 1.5 Is the Standard
| Grade | Thickness | Best for | Compatibility |
| No. 1 | 0.13-0.16 mm | Routine light microscopy, standard objective lenses | Basic histology, cytology, microbiology |
| No. 1.5 | 0.16-0.19 mm | High-resolution microscopy, oil immersion, confocal imaging | Designed for 0.17 mm optimal thickness – reduces spherical aberration |
| No. 1.5H | 0.17-0.18 mm (high precision) | Super-resolution microscopy, advanced imaging | Strict thickness tolerance for highest optical performance |
Most microscope objectives are designed for 0.17 mm cover glass thickness – No. 1.5 is the standard. Using the wrong thickness can cause spherical aberration and blurry images.
Applications by Laboratory Area
| Lab area | Recommended size | Recommended thickness | Why |
| Histology (H&E, special stains) | 22×22 or 24×50 | No. 1.5 | Standard coverage; No. 1.5 matches objective lens design |
| Cytology (Pap stain) | 22×22 | No. 1.5 | Good coverage for smears; oil immersion compatible |
| Pathology (tissue sections) | 24×50 or 24×60 | No. 1.5 | Whole slide coverage for archiving and scanning |
| Microbiology (Gram, acid-fast) | 22×22 | No. 1 | Standard coverage, sufficient for brightfield |
| Hematology (blood smear) | 22×22 | No. 1.5 | Thin smear, covers entire length |
| Immunohistochemistry (IHC) | 24×50 | No. 1.5 | Whole slide coverage, compatible with automated coverslippers |
| Confocal / fluorescence microscopy | 22×22 or 24×50 | No. 1.5H | Precision thickness required for high-resolution imaging |
| Cell culture (live cell imaging) | 18×18 | No. 1.5 | Fits multi-well plates; No. 1.5 standard for microscopy |
Ordering Information – Standard SKUs
| Cat# | Size (mm) | Pack (pcs/box) | Boxes/carton |
| 17021001 | 18×18 | 100 | 500 |
| 17021002 | 20×20 | 100 | 500 |
| 17021003 | 22×22 | 100 | 500 |
| 17021004 | 24×24 | 100 | 500 |
| 17021005 | 24×32 | 100 | 500 |
| 17021006 | 24×40 | 100 | 250 |
| 17021007 | 24×50 | 100 | 250 |
| 17021008 | 24×60 | 100 | 250 |
Custom sizes and OEM packaging available. Contact info@hawach.com for custom dimensions, bulk pricing, and private labeling.
Quick Selection Guide
| If you need… | Choose… |
| Routine histology, standard coverage | 22×22, No. 1.5 |
| Whole slide coverage for scanning / archiving | 24×50 or 24×60, No. 1.5 |
| Small specimens, cytology smears, cell culture wells | 18×18, No. 1.5 |
| High-resolution confocal / super-resolution microscopy | No. 1.5H (0.17-0.18 mm precision grade) |
| Basic brightfield microscopy (budget-friendly) | 22×22, No. 1 |
| Automated coverslipper compatibility | 24×50 or 24×60, No. 1.5 (standard size for robotic systems) |
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Material | Borosilicate glass (soda-lime also available) |
| Refractive index | ~1.52 (matches immersion oil and objective optics) |
| Thickness grades | No. 1 (0.13-0.16 mm), No. 1.5 (0.16-0.19 mm), No. 1.5H (0.17-0.18 mm) |
| Flatness | High optical flatness, minimal warp |
| Finish | Pre-cleaned, ready to use |
| Edge | Smooth ground edges, no sharp burrs |
| Optical clarity | High transmission, low distortion |
| Chemical resistance | Resistant to alcohols, xylene, mounting media, stains |
| Autoclavable | Yes (121°C, 20 min) |
| Compliance | ISO 8255-1 |
Why Procurement Teams Choose Hawach Cover Slips
- ISO 9001 certified -Consistent thickness, flatness and edge finish
- Pre-cleaned -Ready to use; no washing required, no contamination risk
- 1.5 thickness -Optimised for 0.17 mm optical performance; most standard thickness for laboratory microscopy
- Multiple sizes -18×18 to 24×60, covering all routine histology, cytology and cell culture applications
- In-stock -Standard sizes ship within 3-5 business days
- Bulk packaging -100 pcs/box, 100 boxes/carton (10,000 pcs per master carton)
- OEM available -Custom sizes, private labeling, bulk carton configurations
- Free samples -Qualified labs can request evaluation packs
- Full documentation -COA and lot traceability available upon request
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between No. 1 and No. 1.5 cover slips?
No. 1 is 0.13-0.16 mm thick. No. 1.5 is 0.16-0.19 mm thick. Most microscope objectives are designed for 0.17 mm – No. 1.5 is the preferred grade for critical imaging.
Which size cover slip should I use?
22×22 mm is the most common for routine histology and cytology. 24×50 mm or 24×60 mm provides full slide coverage for whole mount specimens and automated coverslippers.
Are the cover slips pre-cleaned?
Yes. Washed and polished during production. Ready to use out of the box – no additional cleaning required.
Can these cover slips be used for confocal microscopy?
Yes. No. 1.5H (0.17-0.18 mm) is the precision grade recommended for confocal, super-resolution and high-NA objectives.
What is the difference between borosilicate glass and soda-lime glass?
Borosilicate glass has better chemical resistance, higher flatness, and lower thermal expansion – preferred for high-precision microscopy. Soda-lime glass is more economical for routine work.
Are the cover slips autoclavable?
Yes. Borosilicate glass cover slips withstand standard autoclaving cycles (121°C, 20 min). Allow to cool before use.
Do you provide batch – specific COA?
Yes. Certificate of Analysis and thickness tolerance verification are available for each production lot.
Can I get free samples?
Yes. Qualified laboratories can request free evaluation packs. Email sales@hawach.com with your lab type, preferred size and thickness grade.
Do you offer OEM packaging with custom boxes?
Yes. Custom printed boxes, private labeling and bulk carton configurations are available for distributors and large laboratories.
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