Analysis of several million particulate volume scattering functions (VSFs) from different field sites around the world's oceans and coastlines revealed that the shape of the VSF in the backward direction was remarkably consistent (5% or less variability at angles between 90 degrees and 170 degrees ). In agreement with theoretical models and past field measurements, the variability of the VSF shape (the VSF normalized to the backscattering coefficient) was found to be lowest between 110 degrees and 120 degrees . This study concludes that under most oceanic conditions, estimates of the particulate backscattering coefficient, using single angle scattering measurements near 110 degrees to 120 degrees and suitable conversion factors, are justified and should have a maximum uncertainty of less than a few percent once instrument noise is accounted for.