Reference
Capsule size chart
Internal volume and empty-shell weight for every two-piece capsule size from #000 to #5, with a live fill-weight estimate. Set your formulation density and read the capacity straight off the table.
Estimated fill weight
Fill weight = internal volume × formulation density
| Capsule size | Volumeml | Empty — gelatinmg | Empty — vegetarianmg | Est. fill weightmg @ 0.80 g/ml |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000 | 1.37 | 158 ±10 | 163 ±10 | 1,096 |
| 00Eelongated | 1.00 | 143 ±10 | 152 ±10 | 800 |
| 00 | 0.90 | 123 ±7 | 136 ±7 | 720 |
| 0Eelongated | 0.78 | 107 ±7 | 107 ±7 | 624 |
| 0 | 0.68 | 99 ±6 | 105 ±6 | 544 |
| 1 | 0.48 | 78 ±5 | 79 ±5 | 384 |
| 2 | 0.36 | 61 ±4 | 63 ±4 | 288 |
| 3 | 0.27 | 48 ±3 | 50 ±3 | 216 |
| 4 | 0.20 | 38 ±3 | 40 ±3 | 160 |
| 5 | 0.13 | 28 ±2 | 30 ±2 | 104 |
Empty-shell weights are typical values with a manufacturing tolerance; elongated (E) sizes share a diameter with their base size but hold more. Fill weight is an estimate from tapped density — always confirm the true fill on your own machine with a trial run.
Relative size
Internal capacity to scale, largest (#000) to smallest (#5).
How to read the chart
- Volume
- The internal capacity of the closed capsule, in millilitres.
- Empty weight
- What the shell alone weighs, by material, with a manufacturing tolerance.
- Estimated fill weight
- Volume × your formulation density — the powder mass the shell should hold.
- Elongated (E)
- Same diameter as the base size, run longer to add a little capacity.
Choosing a size
The right size is a balance. Push for the smallest shell that carries your dose comfortably — it is easier to swallow, cheaper to fill, and faster on the line.
Required dosage
The active mass you need to deliver per capsule.
Volume of your mix
Total powder volume once actives and excipients are blended.
Ease of swallowing
Larger shells (#000, #00) hold more but are harder to take.
Shell material
Gelatin and HPMC/vegetarian differ slightly in weight and fit.
What the capsule numbers mean
The numbering is counterintuitive: the scale runs from 000 (the largest) down to 5 (the smallest), so a higher number means a smaller capsule — a #5 is smaller than a #4. Size 00 is the most commonly used across supplements and general encapsulation.
Shell materials by size
Sizes we stock across gelatin, HPMC, and dedicated vegetarian lines.
| Material | #000 | #00 | #0 | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gelatin | ||||||||
| HPMC | ||||||||
| Vegetarian |
Frequently asked
What is the most popular capsule size?
Size 00 is the most widely used capsule across supplements and general encapsulation — it balances a useful fill volume against a shell most people can swallow comfortably. Size 0 is the next most common.
What do the capsule numbers mean?
The scale runs from 000 (the largest) down to 5 (the smallest). It is counterintuitive: a higher number is a smaller capsule, so a #5 is smaller than a #4. Elongated variants (00E, 0E) keep a size's diameter but run longer to hold a little more.
How do I choose the right capsule size?
Work from your target dose and your blend's tapped density. Fill weight is roughly internal volume times density, so a dense mineral and a light herbal blend fill the same shell very differently. Estimate the size, then confirm the real fill on your own machine with a trial.
Why do gelatin and vegetarian capsules weigh different amounts?
The empty-shell weight differs slightly by material and grade — vegetarian (HPMC) shells are typically a touch heavier than gelatin at the same size. Internal volume is effectively the same, so fill capacity is unchanged.
Know your size? Let's talk supply.
Empty HPMC and gelatin capsules in every size above — by the box, pallet, or container, with COAs and specifications by batch.