An internal standard is a reference substance added to a sample of unknown concentration before analysis to aid in the quantification of the analyte. Some synonyms for internal standard include normalization standard, calibration standard, reference standard, and spiking standard. These terms all refer to a substance that is added to a sample to assist in the accuracy of quantification during analysis. An internal standard helps to account for fluctuations in sample preparation or instrument response, leading to more accurate and reliable results. Whether it is called an internal standard, normalization standard, calibration standard, reference standard, or spiking standard, the importance of its use is universal across many scientific disciplines.