You might be asking yourself what is the best size capsule to choose when encapsulating powders. You are right to be asking yourself this question before starting a new formulation. It is crucial to think about this before starting to produce capsules and will save time and money in the long run when done correctly.
There are standard size capsules that are named by numerical values. They are numbered: 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. These sizes are the same for all types of Gelatin, HPMC and Pullulan. The majority of capsule filling machinery are manufactured to be compatible with these standard sizes.
We have put together this guide to help you choose the best size for your needs.
Below is an interactive chart to help you choose the best fit. Click on each size to highlight the specifications of that size capsule.
Capsule Size Chart
| Empty Capsule Size | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capsule Size | 000 | 00E | 00 | 0E | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Empty Capsule Weight (Gelatin) | ||||||||||
| Average Weight (mg) | 158 | 143 | 123 | 107 | 99 | 78 | 61 | 48 | 38 | 28 |
| Tolerance | ±10 | ±10 | ±7 | ±7 | ±6 | ±5 | ±4 | ±3 | ±3 | ±2 |
| Empty Capsule Weight (Vegetarian) | ||||||||||
| Average Weight (mg) | 163 | 152 | 136 | 107 | 105 | 79 | 63 | 50 | 40 | 30 |
| Tolerance | ±10 | ±10 | ±7 | ±7 | ±6 | ±5 | ±4 | ±3 | ±3 | ±2 |
| Empty Capsule Volume Capacity (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 |
| Inches | 1.029 | 0.906 | 0.921 | 0.909 | 0.85 | 0.764 | 0.693 | 0.618 | 0.563 | 0.437 |
| Tolerance (inches) | ±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 (inches) | 0.510 | 0.510 | 0.464 | 0.460 | 0.427 | 0.388 | 0.346 | 0.315 | 0.283 | 0.244 |
| Tolerance (inches) | ±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 (inches) | 0.879 | 0.879 | 0.796 | 0.795 | 0.722 | 0.645 | 0.596 | 0.529 | 0.476 | 0.366 |
| Tolerance (inches) | ±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 (inches) | 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 (inches) | 0.376 | 0.322 | 0.289 | 0.29 | ||||||
| Empty Capsule Quantity Per Case | ||||||||||
| Capsules per box | 50,000 | 65,000 | 75,000 | 90,000 | 100,000 | 125,000 | 175,000 | 200,000 | 250,000 | 350,000 |
How to Read the Capsule Size Chart
There is a lot of information on this table so here is a key on what each section means
- Capsule Weight – The weight of the capsule when empty in milligrams
- Volume Capacity – The volume of the inside of the capsule in millilitres
- Weight Capacity by Formulation – The weight capacity of the capsule (dependent on bulk density of formulation) in milligrams
- Overall Closed Length – The length of the capsule when it is fully closed and locked in millimetres
- Individual Lengths – Measures the body and the cap separately
- Tolerance – The acceptable variance in dimensions
