EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

    We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated January 15, 1999, except as to Note
11, which is as of January 27, 1999, relating to the financial statements and
financial statement schedule, which appear in LJL BioSystems, Inc.'s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998. We also consent to the
reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

San Jose, California
June 29, 1999