Autosampler vial sizes and compatibility

Updated 2026-11-11

Most HPLC autosampler problems with vials come from mixing formats: a cap made for one thread on a vial made for another, an insert too long for the needle depth, or a septum of the wrong diameter. This guide sets out the standard formats using manufacturer dimensions. For choosing septa material and glass type see the vials, caps & septa guide.

Standard 2 mL vial formats

The common autosampler vial is 2 mL, 12 x 32 mm^[3]. It comes with three closure styles, and each needs its own septum size^{[1, 2]}:

Source: Agilent^[1]. A 9 mm cap will not seal an 8-425 vial and vice versa.

Vials and caps in the catalog by format

• 9 mm screw, 2 mL: Agilent 2 mL Clear Screw-Top Vials, Certified, 100/pk (5182-0714) (Agilent lists it for Agilent, Waters, Thermo, Shimadzu, PerkinElmer and Varian/Bruker instruments^[3]), Agilent 2 mL Clear Screw-Top Vials with Write-On Spot, Certified, 100/pk (5182-0715), Agilent 2 mL Amber Screw-Top Vials with Write-On Spot, Certified, 100/pk (5182-0716); caps Agilent Blue Screw Caps with PTFE/Red Silicone Septa, 100/pk (5182-0717) and Agilent Blue Screw Caps, Bonded Pre-Slit PTFE/Silicone Septa, Certified, 100/pk (5185-5824); replacement septa Agilent 9 mm PTFE/Red Silicone Septa for Screw Caps, Certified, 100/pk (5182-0731).
• 12 x 32 mm screw-neck kits: Waters LCGC Certified 12 x 32 mm Clear Screw-Neck Vials with Pre-Slit Caps, 100/pk (186000307C), Waters LCGC Certified Total Recovery Vials, 12 x 32 mm, 100/pk (186000384C), Thermo Scientific SureSTART 2 mL Clear Screw Vial Kit, Level 3, Bonded Slit Septa, 100/pk (6PMSCK641W).
• 8-425 caps: Thermo Scientific White Screw Caps with Septa for Shimadzu Autosamplers, 8-425, 100/pk (C4013-63W).
• 1.5 mL vials (Shimadzu and short-thread): Shimadzu Certified Vial Kit for LC/LC-MS, 1.5 mL (100/pk) (227-34001-01), Shimadzu Screw Vial Kit, Clear Glass, 1.5 mL (100/pk) (961-10010-06), Shimadzu Shim-vial H Low-Adsorption Certified Vial Kit, 1.5 mL (100/pk) (227-34500-01), Shimadzu Vial Kit for PFAS Analysis, Clear Plastic, 1.5 mL (100/pk) (961-10010-34) and the compatible Altmann Analytik 1.5 mL Short-Thread Certified Vial Kit with UltraClean Seal, 100/kit (AAV22513667) (ND9 short thread).

Fill volume and inserts

Agilent gives a recommended fill of 1.5 mL for the 2 mL screw vial 5182-0714^[2]. For small samples, inserts reduce the volume needed: Agilent lists Agilent 250 µL Glass Inserts with Polymer Feet, 100/pk (5181-1270) as 30 x 5.6 mm and Agilent 250 µL Pulled-Point Glass Vial Inserts, 100/pk (5183-2085) as 31 x 5.6 mm, both 250 µL^[2]. Macherey-Nagel 0.2 mL Conical Glass Insert for Wide-Opening Vials, 100/pk (702813) (6 mm OD x 31 mm, per its listing) fits wide-opening vials, and Shimadzu Micro Insert, Clear Glass, 0.1 mL for 1.5 mL Vials (100/pk) (961-10020-27) is made for 1.5 mL Shimadzu vials. Check the needle-depth setting of your autosampler when you start using inserts.

Before you switch vial suppliers

1. Confirm vial body (12 x 32 mm), thread or closure style and septum diameter match your current vial.
2. Check your autosampler manual for supported vial types and needle depth.
3. Run a few blank injections to confirm there is no septum coring or carry-over.

Filter samples before they go into the vial: see the syringe filter selection guide. Browse all vials, caps & inserts.