Capsule Size Chart

Introduction

You may already know that capsules are one of the prevalent forms of dietary supplements. Capsule size is imperative to consider when preparing to sell such a supplement.

The amount of material like powder or liquid a capsule holds depends on size. It also directly impacts to what extent it delivers active ingredients and their effectiveness. Moreover, the size profoundly impacts how easily consumers can take in capsules.

Given that, the standard capsule sizes are designated by numerical values. They’re 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. With such sizes, higher numbers specify smaller sizes.

Furthermore, these sizes are identical for all gelatin and vegetarian capsule variants. Most of the filling machinery of capsules is fabricated to be compatible with these sizes.

This exhaustive guide will aid you in selecting the ideal size for your needs. Here, we have presented a broad capsule size chart for this motive.

You’ll be acquainted with the varied factors to contemplate while opting for the size. You’ll also explore the most popular capsule size that’s available.

Here is a comprehensive size chart to aid you in opting for the optimal fit. It specifies the varying weights and measurements for different capsule sizes.

Capsule size	000	00E	00	0E	0	1	2	3	4	5
Weight of Empty Gelatin Capsules
Average weight (mg)	158	143	123	107	99	78	61	48	38	28
Tolerance	±10	±10	±7	±7	±6	±5	±4	±3	±3	±2
Weight of Empty Vegetarian Capsules
Average weight (mg)	163	152	136	107	105	79	63	50	40	30
Tolerance	±10	±10	±7	±7	±6	±5	±4	±3	±3	±2
Volume Capacity of Empty Capsule (ml)
Capacity	1.37	1.00	0.90	0.78	0.68	0.48	0.36	0.27	0.20	0.13
Empty Capsule Weight Capacity by Formulation Density (mg)
Formulation Density
0.6 g/ml	822	600	540	468	408	288	216	162	120	78
0.8 g/ml	1096	800	720	624	544	384	288	216	160	104
1.0 g/ml	1370	1000	900	780	680	480	360	270	200	130
1.2 g/ml	1644	1200	1080	936	816	576	432	324	240	156
Empty Capsule Overall Closed Length
mm	26.1	25.3	23.4	23.5	21.6	19.4	17.6	15.7	14.3	11.1
Tolerance (mm)	±0.3	±0.3	±0.3	±0.3	±0.3	±0.3	±0.3	±0.3	±0.3	±0.4
Inch	1.029	0.906	0.921	0.909	0.85	0.764	0.693	0.618	0.563	0.437
Tolerance (inch)	±0.012	±0.012	±0.012	±0.012	±0.012	±0.012	±0.012	±0.012	±0.012	±0.016
Empty Capsule Individual Lengths (cap)
Cap (mm)	12.95	12.95	11.80	11.68	10.85	9.85	8.80	8.00	7.20	6.20
Tolerance (mm)	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.29
Cap (inch)	0.510	0.510	0.464	0.460	0.427	0.388	0.346	0.315	0.283	0.244
Tolerance (inch)	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.012
Empty Capsule Individual Lengths (body)
Body (mm)	22.20	22.20	20.22	20.19	18.35	16.40	15.15	13.45	12.10	9.30
Tolerance (mm)	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.35	±0.29
Body (inch)	0.879	0.879	0.796	0.795	0.722	0.645	0.596	0.529	0.476	0.366
Tolerance (inch)	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.014	±0.012
Empty Capsule External Diameter
Cap (mm)	9.91	8.58	8.56	7.65	7.64	6.96	6.39	5.85	5.33	4.91
Cap (inch)	0.390	0.338	0.337	0.301	0.301	0.274	0.252	0.230	0.210	0.193
Body (mm)	9.55	8.25	8.23	7.36	7.35	6.63	6.12	5.60	5.08	4.68
Body (inch)	0.375	0.376	0.322	0.289	0.289	0.290	0.240	0.220	0.200	0.184
Quantity of Empty Capsules per box or case
Number of capsules per box	50000	65000	75000	90000	100000	125000	175000	200000	250000	350000

The sizes 00E and 0E mean the extended varieties of the 00 and 0 pills. They are there if you don’t aim to:

shift up to 000 from the 00
shift up to 00 from 0.

Understanding the Capsule Size Chart

As you see, the above chart provides plentiful information about the varied sizes. So here are the vital components that frequently encompass the size chart:

Capsule Weight: The capsule’s weight when it’s empty. It’s in milligrams (mg)
Volume Capacity: The volume of the capsule’s interior. It’s measured in milliliters (ml)
Weight Capacity by Formulation: It’s the capsule’s entire weight capacity. It depends on the formulation’s bulk density. It’s measured in milligrams (mg).
Overall closed length: This is the capsule’s total length when fully closed and locked and measured in millimeters (mm).
Individual lengths: It measures the cap and the body of the pill in millimeters and inches. By body, we mean the pill’s ampler part, filled with the material. On the other hand, the cap is placed over the body and shorter than it. The cap and body together constitute a complete capsule.
External diameter: means the entire diameter of the cap and the body.
Tolerance: It implies the permissible variance in dimensions. Tolerance is crucial to understand in order to uphold quality control. It ensures that the capsules fulfill the needed specifications. It’s without them being regarded as unfit or faulty for sale.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Capsule Size

When selecting a fitting capsule size, some pivotal factors must be considered. These are:

1. Required Dosage

The factor of required dosage is the first one in size selection. It elucidates the quantity of the active ingredient(s) needed for the product’s effectiveness.

You must determine your dose for each pill. For example, it can have 1000mg of vitamin C.

It then blends with excipients to aid the product flowing through the machine. Once mixed, it’s otherwise known as “mix.” You necessitate the correct dose of ingredients within the mix in every pill.

Suppose there’s too much of a dosage for one pill. You may try to fit the ingredients in one pill. You can also spread the dose over multiple pills. Instead of one size 000 pill, you can divide it over three size 00 ones.

2. Mixing Amount

The mixing amount (more specifically, mixing volume) relies on the powders’ bulk density. These powders constitute your mix.

It’s imperative to be aware of the bulk density of the mix. Thus, you can determine the amount of active ingredient in each pill. You may also necessitate to modify your mix to a certain extent. You can also split the dose over more than one pill.

3. Ease of Swallowing

Your target consumers will aid you in picking your size selection. For instance, you may be making supplements for children. It could also be for those animals unable to swallow large capsules. In that case, the size should be small enough to cater to easy swallowing.

Smaller ones also suit older people who may have swallowing issues. Yet most healthy adults and larger animals can comfortably swallow the bigger-sized capsules. It could be size 00 and size 0.

4. Visual Preference

Visual preference is another factor to consider. Sometimes, you may require a specific size for raised visual appeal. That’s especially true when compared to packaging design and brand.

You may decide a smaller-sized capsule is better for the product and your brand. It may convey a premium outlook reliant on the product and market perception. The supplement’s volume or density may cross the desirable capacity. Then, you may opt to split it up into multiple capsules.

The perceived size corresponding to the consumer’s hand also matters here. For example, a large-sized pill may seem visually overwhelming to small-handed people. In contrast, a smaller-sized pill seems more feasible.

5. Intended Use

Lastly, you must also consider the intended use of the product. It could be consumed as a dietary supplement or a medication. Furthermore, the size should match the product type you intend to produce.

Additionally, on ethical grounds, many prefer vegetarian capsules over standard gelatin ones. Check that the size you want is available in your desired material type. It’s because some suppliers may offer multiple sizes for gelatin variants. However, the sizes of vegetarian variants that are offered may be limited.

What is the Most Popular Capsule Size?

Size 00 is the most popular size out there across all sizes. It’s owing to their suitability and greater fill weight.

Just for comparison, size 00 is as large as a coin. It can fit a good formulation amount without the pill appearing too big. It’s the same whether made of gelatin or the vegan/vegetarian alternative. The size 00 is the most employed for nutritional supplements and medicinal formulations.

Size 00 capsules can hold 570-1140mg of a powdered material. Many nutraceutical and supplement companies employ this size to encapsulate powdered ingredients like:

Vitamins
Minerals
Herbal Extracts and more

Additionally, size 0 is the second most prevalent size (after 00). It’s commonly used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The cosmetic industry offers varied supplements to promote skin health, beauty, and well-being.

A size 0 pill can hold 408-816mg of powdered material.

What Do the Numbers on the Capsules Mean?

Capsule sizes may seem illogical. It’s because smaller-sized capsules have higher numbers than large-sized ones. For example, a pill of size 3 is smaller than that of size 2.

The following are some salient characteristics of each pill size:

Size 000: The largest size, sometimes called “triple zero.”
Size 00: Sometimes called “double-zero.” The most common size for medicines and supplements
Size 0: Commonly called “single zero.” The second most popular size after size 00
Size 1: Also commonly used. It is marginally smaller in contrast to the size 0 pill.
Size 2: Not commonly employed in dietary supplements. More common in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals
Size 3: Not very frequently used owing to their smaller overall volume
Size 4: Not often used and typically reserved for specialized medications
Size 5: Smallest standard size. Primarily used in pharmaceutical medications instead of supplements

Handian Helps You Make Capsule Supplements

After reviewing this guide, are you still confused about what capsule size to opt for? Then there’s no need to worry, as Handian is here for you. We appreciate you to contact us. Our formulation team is well-seasoned in fabricating custom capsule products.

You probably know that Handian Nutrition is among the prominent nutritional supplement makers globally. Situated in China, we specialize in custom and private-label capsule manufacturing.

We have more than 30 years of experience in contract supplement manufacturing. Thus, we welcome you to check out our capsule services at Handian. It’s whether you are an established customer eyeing to expand your product lineup or a novice.

We provide varied custom capsule options to fulfill your requirements, including:

Varying capsule sizes that range from 2,1,0, 00, and other ones
Gelatin, Vegetarian/Vegan, Organic, Halal and Kosher
Design and colors to complement the brand identity
Packaging and label design to signify the brand image
Free in choosing differing stock formula variants like maca and green tea ingredient capsules

Moreover, we produce more than 3.3 million capsules each day. Our prominent capsule fabrication services include:

Highest standards and certifications like GMP, ISO 22000, HACCP, and more
Efficient, reliable, and automated capsule production line
Capability to handle complex formulations and provide custom concepts and prevailing formulations
Availability of free quotation and free samples
Our quality control staff monitors the fabrication of capsule products at every stage
Our production team manages the factory’s fabrication procedures.
Use of advanced production technology

Thus, it establishes our commitment to fabricate quality capsule supplements.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, capsule size matters when developing capsule supplements. You can make worthwhile products by thoroughly understanding and using the capsule size chart.

It applies to whatever type you are dealing with, like gelatin or vegetarian variants. Also, factors like required dosage and swallowing ease should be considered when making such products.

With these factors in mind and following the chart, you can fabricate high-quality products. That will give the consumers constant and valuable outcomes concerning their health.

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Capsule Size Chart – Complete Guide

Introduction