Capsule manufacturing requires precision and a bit of science if the final product is to be effective. The size of a supplement’s capsule is determined by the density of ingredients it contains, but there are some other general rules of thumb to follow as well.
In this article, we are going to go over the key differences between capsule sizes, the most comfortable capsule size for your end consumer, and more.
Average Capsule Size Chart: Length & Diameter
When looking at the capsule size, we take a few things into consideration including length, diameter, capacity, mass, and powder density. In Exhibit 1, you will see how to configure the length and diameter of your capsule. This will help you effectively use the length and diameter capsule size chart.
Exhibit 1 – Capsule length and diameter
After you have an understanding of how the capsule is measured, you can then use Exhibits 2 and 3 to help you determine the size of the capsule you need. The higher the number the smaller the capsule, so size 3 is much smaller than the capsule size 000.
Keep in mind that the wider the diameter and the longer the pill the harder it will be for your end consumer to swallow it. This is why selecting an optimal capsule size is crucial for the success of your supplement business.
Exhibit 2 – Capsule size
| Size | Closed Length (mm) | Body Length / Diameter (mm) | Cap Length / Diameter (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000 | 26.0 | 21.8 / 9.6 | 12.8 / 9.9 |
| 00 | 23.4 | 20.1 / 8.2 | 11.8 / 8.6 |
| 0 | 21.5 | 18.4 / 7.3 | 10.8 / 7.6 |
| 1 | 19.4 | 16.3 / 6.6 | 9.8 / 7.0 |
| 2 | 17.6 | 15.1 / 6.1 | 8.8 / 6.4 |
| 3 | 15.7 | 13.4 / 5.6 | 8.0 / 5.8 |
Exhibit 3 – Capsule length / diameter
Average Capsule Size Chart: Capacity & Mass
Not only is it important to consider length and diameter before manufacturing supplement capsules, but you will also want to keep capsule capacity and mass in mind as well.
What is capacity exactly? To simplify it, your capacity addresses how much product your capsule can hold.
Although it would be ideal to select a smaller capsule for your end consumer, you may need to select a larger capsule to manufacture if the product going into the capsule exceeds your desired capsule size.
| Size | Capacity (ml) | Mass (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| 000 | 1.37 | 158± 10 |
| 00 | 0.95 | 123± 7 |
| 0 | 0.68 | 99± 6 |
| 1 | 0.48 | 76± 5 |
| 2 | 0.36 | 61± 4 |
| 3 | 0.27 | 48± 3 |
Exhibit 4 – Manufacturing capsule capacity and mass
Average Capsule Size Chart: Powder Density
Another factor to consider is powder density. Powder density is exactly what the name suggests: it indicates how dense (or compact) your powder is. Exhibit 5 is a great representation of the different levels of supplement density.
Exhibit 5 – Manufacturing capsule density
After finding out how dense your powder is, you can use Exhibit 6 to help you further select a capsule size that’s right for your end product.
| Size | 0.6 g/ml | 0.8 g/ml | 1.0 g/ml | 1.2 g/ml |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000 | 822 | 1096 | 1370 | 1644 |
| 00 | 570 | 760 | 950 | 1140 |
| 0 | 408 | 544 | 680 | 816 |
| 1 | 288 | 384 | 480 | 576 |
| 2 | 216 | 288 | 360 | 432 |
| 3 | 162 | 216 | 270 | 324 |
Exhibit 6 – Capsule mass by density
Why Size 00 Capsules?
In capsule manufacturing, sizes 00 and 0 are the most common capsule sizes because they are large enough to fit the product but also easy for individuals to swallow. As mentioned earlier, a smaller capsule is ideal, but too small and the product may not fit proportionally. We commonly use size 00 capsules because they allow several ingredients in one easy-to-take capsule.
Choose Equinox Nutra for Supplement Capsule Manufacturing
Still not sure which capsule size to choose? At Equinox Nutra, we take out the guesswork from selecting the optimal capsule size. Our team is here to help you select an optimal capsule for your supplement line, so you can get back to doing what you doing best: running your business.
If you are looking for a trusted supplement manufacturer, look no further. Contact us today to get a quote!
If you’ve been in the supplement industry for any length of time, you’ve probably encountered both capsules and tablets. But, if you’re new to the industry, it is likely that you aren’t always clear on what makes each one different. Here is a short run-down of their key characteristics to help you better understand the difference between capsules and tablets.
Supplement Capsules vs. Tablets: How They Differ
Supplements come in both the form of a tablet or capsule. Many of us take supplements in capsule form and think they are the same thing as their tablet counterparts because they look similar. Although they have commonalities, there is a distinct difference between the two. Let’s dive in.
What is a Capsule?
A capsule is an enclosed hard or soft-soluble container made up of gelatin, cellulose, or other materials that are easy to digest. The main difference between capsules vs. tablets is the way your supplement ingredients are “housed”. A capsule houses the ingredients in an exterior casing while a tablet does not.
With supplements, two types of capsules are common in the industry: hard-shelled capsules and soft-gel capsules.
Capsule Types: Hard-Shelled Capsules
A hard-shelled capsule consists of two halves to create a soluble casing. These two halves are called the body and the cap. These two pieces to the capsule fit into each other seamlessly—encasing the ingredients of the supplement. Hard-shelled capsules are a great option for dual-action or extended-release formulas.
Capsule Types: Soft-Gel Capsules
A soft-gel capsule looks similar to hard-shelled capsules, but this type of capsule contains ingredients suspended in gelatin or other similar mediums. It is quick to release and absorb supplement ingredients.
Pros of Capsules
So, why do supplement companies choose capsules? Some of the pros of capsules include:
- Higher Bioavailability – Capsules are fast-acting and absorb in the body quicker than tablets
- No Taste – With capsules, you won’t be left with a bad taste in your mouth after taking it
- Tamper-Proof – Capsules can’t be altered like tablets can be
Now that we went over everything you need to know about capsules, let’s talk about tablets.
What is a Tablet?
Tablets are another common way to house supplements. Tablets are made by compressing the powdered ingredients with a binding agent to form a solid pill. Some of the most common binding agents include starch, cellulose, or methocel.
Pros of Tablets
What are the biggest pros of selecting tablets over capsules? Tablets have many advantages such as:
- They can be formulated in a variety of shapes (flat, round, or oval)
- They’re inexpensive compared to capsules
- Tablets can easily be split down the middle (if needed)
- They have a longer shelf-life
After learning about both the specifics of capsules and tablets, you are probably curious about the manufacturing process. As a premier supplement manufacturer, we are the perfect source to walk you through it.
How It’s Made: Supplement Capsules
There are many steps that we undergo to ensure that we provide you with quality capsules. To simplify it, we’ve broken the process down into these 3 steps:
Step 1: The first step in the manufacturing process is to create the shell for the capsule. A machine drops the mixture into individual molds. The mixture hardens and takes the form of a capsule. It is then sent through a machine that removes any air bubbles from the capsules.
Step 2: Once the empty shells are created, they are filled with ingredients. They enter a machine that carefully fills each capsule with its contents. Afterward, they are sent through another machine that seals the capsule shut.
Step 3: At this point, it’s time for quality control. A random sample of finished products is tested to make sure they meet label requirements and contain no contaminants or microbes that could harm consumers. If they pass inspection, they are released to be packaged and sold.
Capsule Manufacturing for Supplements with Equinox Nutra
After making it this far, you may be curious about which is better: tablets or capsules?
At Equinox Nutra, we prefer capsules over tablets. Why? It’s simple. Capsules are more bioavailable than tablets. This means that your supplement will hit the bloodstream quicker, giving your consumers the nutrients they need, quickly.
Although tablets are cheaper to make, we don’t believe in cutting corners and neither should you. Additionally, you can have peace of mind knowing that we only partner with organic, non-GMO, certified suppliers to make products with the purest raw materials on the market.
If you sell natural, premiere supplements and need a supplement manufacturer, look no further. Contact us to get a quote today for capsule manufacturing for supplements!
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