1 EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) of Caliper Technologies Corp. pertaining to the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the 1999 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan, of our report dated January 25, 2000, with respect to the financial statements of Caliper Technologies Corp., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP Palo Alto, California June 26, 2000