How to Balance a Tonearm
Updated Nov 12, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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To balance a tonearm, float the arm level with the counterweight, mark that balance point on the dial, then turn the counterweight to the tracking force the cartridge maker gives and match the anti-skate to it. The arm is balanced when it floats level with no tracking force and then tracks the groove without skating.
Level the turntable first
Set the turntable on a flat, steady surface and check that it sits level before you touch the tonearm. A turntable that leans to a side throws the balance off before you start, and a level platter keeps the arm floating true. If the surface is not level, move the turntable until it sits flat.
Float the tonearm with the counterweight
Turn the anti-skate control all the way down, then lift the tonearm off its rest and hold it over the platter. Turn the counterweight at the back of the arm until the arm floats level, neither rising nor dropping. That floating position is the balance point, where the arm carries no tracking force.
Mark the balance point on the dial
Hold the counterweight still so the arm stays floating, and turn only the dial on its front until the dial mark lines up with the mark on the tonearm. That mark is the balance point. From here, turning the counterweight adds tracking force, so do not move the dial again once it is set.
Set the tracking force
Turn the whole counterweight to the tracking force the cartridge maker gives for your stylus, and check the figure in the cartridge instructions. Do not guess the force. If the cartridge instructions give a range, use the figure the maker gives for your stylus.
Match the anti-skate to the tracking force
Set the anti-skate control to the same figure as the tracking force you just set. Anti-skate pulls the arm gently toward the outside of the record to balance the pull toward the center while the record plays. If the arm drifts inward or outward while it floats, check the anti-skate setting and the balance again.
Check the balance before you play
Lower the arm onto a record and watch it track the groove without skipping or sliding. If the arm skates across the record, lift the arm, check the balance and the anti-skate setting, and start again from the floating step. When the arm floats level and the settings hold, the tonearm is balanced.
What you need
1 BY ONE High Fidelity Belt Drive
A belt-drive turntable with an adjustable counterweight and a magnetic cartridge, so the arm can be balanced and the tracking force set.
- Bluetooth
- Built-in speakers
- Drive: Belt Drive
Victrola Journey
A 3-speed suitcase turntable with built-in speakers and an auto stop switch, so you can play the record once the arm is balanced.
- Bluetooth
- Built-in speakers
- 1-year warranty stated
- 5.5 lb, the lightest here
Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable
A fully automatic belt-drive turntable with a redesigned tonearm base and headshell for improved tracking, and a built-in phono preamp.
- Built-in phono preamp
- 1 year warranty stated
Audio-Technica AT-LP120XBT-USB-BK Wireless Direct-Drive Turntable
A fully manual direct-drive turntable with a balanced S-shaped tonearm, adjustable anti-skate control and variable pitch control.
- Built-in phono preamp
- Bluetooth
- 1-year warranty stated
These come from our ranked list Best Record Player, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
What is tracking force on a turntable?
Tracking force is the downward weight the stylus puts on the record, set by turning the counterweight after the arm is balanced. The cartridge maker gives the figure for your stylus, so use that figure and not a guess.
Do I need anti-skate on a turntable?
Anti-skate balances the pull that draws the arm toward the center of the record while it plays. Set it to the same figure as the tracking force, and check it again if the arm drifts while it floats.
Why does the tonearm slide across the record?
The arm slides when the balance or the anti-skate setting is off. Lift the arm, float it level again with the counterweight, and check the tracking force and anti-skate settings before you play.
How do I know the tonearm is balanced?
The arm floats level when you hold it over the platter with the counterweight set, and it tracks the groove without skating once the tracking force and anti-skate are set. If it rises or drops, float it again and check the settings.
Ranked turntables lists
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Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.