Before filling your own capsules, it’s important to decide on the correct capsule size for your formulation– it may be the key to preventing you from wasting time and money.
At Vivion, we carry standard capsule sizes of 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and they are compatible with most capsule filling machines. The largest sizes of capsules are designated by the lower numbers, and the smaller ones are named after higher numbers; so for example, the largest capsule size we provide is 000, and the smallest size is 5. If needed, we are also able to provide you with elongated capsule sizes in 00E and 0E.
To help you visualize the differences in capsule sizing, we have created a responsive chart that displays each capsule size available in Vivion’s stock. Simply click on one of the capsules in the top section, and the chart will highlight that capsule size’s specifications in the table below.
| 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 |
Here are some important definitions of terms used in the chart above and in capsule sizing in general:
Knowing the characteristics of your formulation, the type of capsule material and size you want to use, and the required dosage of your active ingredient is central in choosing the perfect capsule for your product.
Some capsules made of different materials that Vivion supplies are only stocked in certain sizes, which can factor into making a choice of what kind of capsule you want for your product. The table below displays the sizing options for each type of capsule that we carry.
The bulk density of your formula directly affects the volume and dose of your active ingredient in each capsule. Depending on the bulk density, you may have to use a smaller or larger capsule than you originally intended.
Gelatin and HPMC capsules allow you more options in choosing a size. However, if the preservative-free, tapioca-based pullulan capsules appeal more to you, you have the choice of the three most commonly used sizes in manufacturing: #00, #0, and #1.
| Capsule Type | #000 | #00 | #0 | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gelatin | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| HMPC | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Vegetable | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
To help you see the differences between capsule sizes in scale, we made the chart below to compare the different sizes of capsules measured in millimeters and inches:
Sizes #0 and #00 are the most commonly used capsule sizes due to their volume and being easy for people to swallow. Here’s how their sizes compare to some common coins:
Although it seems counterintuitive, smaller capsule sizes are indicated by higher numbers. #000 is the largest capsule size that Vivion offers, while #5 is the smallest.
Commonly called “triple zero,” #000 capsules are the largest size of Vivion’s capsule range.
● Volume: 1.27 ml ● Overall length: 26.1 mm ● External diameter of cap: 9.91 mm
#00, or “double zero,” is the most commonly used capsule size for medicinal formulations and supplements.
● Volume: 0.9 ml ● Overall length: 23.4 mm ● External diameter of cap: 8.56 mm
#0 capsules are the second most popular size are #00 and are mainly used in pharmaceutical products and nutraceuticals.
● Volume: 0.68 ml ● Overall length: 21.6 mm ● External diameter of cap: 7.64 mm
#1 capsules are also commonly used, with just being slightly smaller than #0 capsules.
● Volume: 0.48 ml ● Overall length: 19.4 mm ● External diameter of cap: 6.96 mm
Although not as commonly used in food supplements, #2 capsules are popular in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
● Volume: 0.36 ml ● Overall length: 17.6 mm ● External diameter of cap: 6.39 mm
Because of their smaller overall volume, #3 capsules are used more in pharmaceutical manufacturing rather than food supplements.
The second smallest capsule size in Vivion’s capsule lineup, #4 capsules are uncommonly used outside of specialized medicinal applications.
● Volume: 0.2 ml ● Overall length: 14.3 mm ● External diameter of cap: 5.33 mm
The smallest capsule Vivion offers, #5 capsules are primarily used in pharmaceuticals.
● Volume: 0.13 ml ● Overall length: 11.1 mm ● External diameter of cap: 4.91 mm