X-ray microanalysis often must estimate limits of detection for specific specimen compositions to optimize analytical strategy and to adequately describe results. Several approaches are available which make use of experimentally measured spectra to obtain peak and local background intensities. One of the oldest and simplest involves the use of pure element spectra. However, such an estimate procedure does not take into account the matrix effects, particularly absorption, which can be quite important in defining limits of detection in a particular multi-element composition. If a microhomogeneous standard is available with the appropriate matrix that also contains the other constituent(s) of interest at a known level, ideally at a minor constituent level (0.01 to 0.1 mass fraction), then the limit of detection, CDL, can be estimated through the use of the expression: