Indicators provide an approximate pH range rather than an exact value. They undergo a color change within a specific pH range, allowing us to estimate the pH of a solution. The exact pH value, however, requires precise measurements using pH meters or other instruments designed specifically for this purpose.

To determine the exact pH of a solution, scientists typically use a pH meter. A pH meter measures the electrical potential generated by the hydrogen ion concentration in the solution. By comparing this electrical potential to known standards, we can obtain the exact pH value.