To reduce parallax in a manual spring balance, using a scale reading method utilizing overlapping of main scale marks and sub scale marks, when the main scale marks and the sub scale marks are read, thereby improving an accuracy in reading scales, as well to shorten a length of the balance.

In the a manual spring balance, the other scale mark located at a center location at a scale interval of one scale marks is read, by using a scale reading method utilizing overlapping of main scale marks and sub scale marks. The balance is achieved by contacting and sliding a main scale face provided in a main scale component of a transparent material and a sub scale face. With the balance, parallax in reading scales is removed and a reading can promptly and be reliably performed with high accuracy. By limiting a relative transfer distance of the main scale and the sub scale within one to several units in the main scale marks, the manual spring balance can be attained wherein a length of a spring falls within a length of the scale component even if an elasticity of the spring is made less.