The present invention relates to methods for creating isotopically-labeled glycans or glycoconjugates for use in the analysis of glycans, and compositions produced from such methods. The present invention also relates to the use of isotopically labeled glycans or glycoconjugates as standards in glycan identification and/or quantification methods. In one embodiment, the method of the present invention can be used to accurately determine the levels of glycans in a sample based upon the addition of a known quantity of a standard comprising isotopically-labeled glycans to the sample prior to analysis. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a composition for an analytical standard comprising one or more isotopically-labeled glycans or glycoconjugates.