Abstract: This invention relates to new and improved single beam load cells which are compensated for both longitudinal and lateral displacement of the load; to new and improved scale arrangements incorporating such load cells; and to methods of compensating such single beam load cells. In one embodiment of the invention strain gages are attached to only one side of the beam and the beam is honed or filed to compensate for both longitudinal and lateral displacement of the load. In another embodiment of the invention strain gages are placed on both sides of the single beam and the strain gages are placed on the beam at a slight angle from the longitudinal axis of the beam. In this embodiment the beam may be honed to compensate for both lateral and longitudinal displacement of the load.