A lab pestle is a handheld tool used in chemistry, biology and pharmacy labs to grind, crush or mix substances into a fine powder or a homogenous mixture. The pestle is typically made of porcelain, glass or agate, and is shaped like a small club with a rounded end. The end of the pestle is used to crush and grind the substance inside a mortar, which is a small, shallow bowl made of similar materials.

The pestle is used by holding it with one hand and using a rotating or pounding motion to grind the substance to the desired consistency. It is commonly used in the preparation of samples for analysis, such as in DNA extraction or drug formulation. The pestle can be easily cleaned and reused for multiple experiments, making it a cost-effective and versatile tool for lab work.