| Solutions | Colloids | Suspensions |
| Homogeneous | Heterogeneous | heterogeneous |
| Particle size - small | Particle size - medium | Particle size - large |
| Do not separate on standing | Do not separate on standing | Separates on standing |
| Cannot be separated by filtering | Cannot be separated by filtering | Can be separated by filtering |
| Do not scatter light | Scatters light | May scatter light, but are not transparent |
