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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.
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
Capsule Terminology
Here are some important definitions of terms used in the chart above and in capsule sizing in
general:
Tolerance: The allowed limits or variations in the capsules’ dimensions.
Individual Lengths: The separate measurements of the capsule body and cap in
millimeters.
Overall Closed Length: The entire length of the closed capsule in millimeters.
Volume Capacity: The approximate volume inside of the capsule in milliliters.
Weight Capacity by Formulation: The approximate weight capacity of the capsule
based on formula’s bulk density in milligrams.
Capsule Sizing Variables
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.
Capsule Type
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.
Formulation Volume
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.
Product Consumer
It is important to know who is going to be consuming your capsule product. How easily a
capsule can be
swallowed also influences what size of capsule your product needs. Capsule sizes such as
#000, #00, and
#0 are ideal for adults and large animals, while capsules as small as #4 or #5 may be best
for children
and smaller animals.
API Dose
How much API, or active pharmaceutical ingredient, needs to be in each capsule also should
be considered
when choosing a capsule size. The ingredient’s dose might be too large for the capsule size
that you’ve
been considering, so you might have to fit the powder in one larger capsule or spread the
dose over
multiple one smaller capsules.
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
✘
✔
✔
✔
✘
✘
✘
✘
Capsule Scale
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:
Most Commonly Used Capsule Size
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:
The Numbers Behind Capsule Sizes
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.
Size 000
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
Size 00
#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
Size 0
#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
Size 1
#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
Size 2
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
Size 3
Because of their smaller overall volume, #3 capsules are used more in pharmaceutical
manufacturing rather than food supplements.
● Volume: 0.27 ml ● Overall length: 15.7 mm ● External diameter of cap: 5.58 mm
Size 4
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
Size 5
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
If you still aren’t sure which capsule size is right for your production, Vivion has a team of capsule
experts waiting to support you. Contact one of our capsule
experts today.
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