Abstract: A bathroom scale has a load receiving platform (1) on which a user can stand and display means (8). Weight on the platform (1) is transferred to a stainless steel force plate (3) mounted on a base member (2) and having double encastred beams (42) formed by cutouts (43). The beams (42) are supported on knife edge support members (52), and a plurality of piezo electric strain gauges (44 to 47) are screen printed on an insulating coating on the beams (42) of the force plate adjacent the positions at which the force plate is supported on the support members (52). Deformation of the beams (42) as a result of weight on the platform (1) produces electrical signals which are summed to form a composite load signal and the display means (8) displays the composite load signal as a weight reading.Summing the electrical signals from the strain gauges electrically, avoids many of the disadvantages and errors associated with scales which utilize a mechanical linkage to sum weight components.