# Terpene test

> A terpene test measures the individual terpenes and total terpene content of a sample, usually by GC-FID or GC-MS, reported in % w/w or mg/g.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/terpene-test.html
- Also written: terpene testing, terpene analysis, terpene panel, terp test, total terpenes test
- Glossary category: Lab testing · Evidence: Established
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

A terpene test quantifies a lab-defined list of [terpenes](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/terpene.md), commonly 20-40 compounds, from [monoterpenes](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/monoterpene.md) such as myrcene, limonene and pinene to [sesquiterpenes](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/sesquiterpene.md) such as [beta-caryophyllene](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/beta-caryophyllene.md) and humulene. Most labs use [gas chromatography](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/gas-chromatography.md), by liquid injection or headspace sampling, with FID or MS detection. Results come as each compound's % w/w plus total terpenes.

## In practice

Because terpenes are volatile, sample handling dominates the result. Grinding warms the sample and releases volatiles; long shipping in warm conditions loses monoterpenes. A result of 2.1% total terpenes from fresh, carefully cured flower might read 1.4% after months of warm storage. Panels differ: one lab may include ocimene isomers, bisabolol and guaiol, another may not, so "total terpenes" isn't directly comparable between labs. Trace aroma drivers such as prenylated thiols are not on routine terpene panels.

## Don't confuse with

- **Potency test**: [cannabinoids](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/cannabinoid.md), usually by HPLC.
- **Residual solvents test**: also GC, but measuring solvents.
- **Smell**: the nose detects compounds a terpene panel misses, and vice versa.

## Related terms

[Terpene profile](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/terpene-profile.md), [Gas chromatography](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/gas-chromatography.md), [Terpene](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/terpene.md), [COA](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/coa.md), [Homogenisation (sampling)](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/homogenisation.md)

## Read more

- [Why everything tastes the same: the evidence that commercial cannabis is converging](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/genetics-history/why-everything-tastes-the-same.md)
- [Drying cannabis: the 60/60 method and water activity](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/harvest-cure/drying.md)

## Sources

1. Smith CJ, Vergara D, Keegan B, Jikomes N. 2022. The phytochemical diversity of commercial Cannabis in the United States. PLOS ONE 17(5):e0267498. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0267498
2. Ross SA, ElSohly MA. 1996. The volatile oil composition of fresh and air-dried buds of Cannabis sativa. Journal of Natural Products 59(1):49-51.