Choosing the Best Capsule Size for Your Nutraceutical Product with an expert CDMO
AHF Vitamins: Custom Capsule Supplement Contract Manufacturing for Health and Wellness Brands
March 12, 2025
Capsules remain a widely favored dosage form for delivering dietary supplement and nutraceutical products. The global nutritional supplement market size is projected to reach USD 510.40 billion in 2025 and USD 816.57 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.05%.
When developing a supplement product with a NSF certified co-manufacturer, one crucial decision often overlooked is selecting the right capsule size. The capsule size can impact everything from consumer experience to manufacturing efficiency and packaging costs. Whether creating a new dietary supplement or optimizing an existing formula, understanding capsule sizes is essential to ensuring that your product meets your customers’ needs.
Why Capsule Size Matters
Choosing the correct capsule size affects:
- Dosage Accuracy: The right size ensures that your formula delivers the intended dosage without requiring multiple capsules.
- Swallowability: Larger capsules may be difficult for some customers to swallow, affecting compliance.
- Ingredient Density: The amount of powder or active ingredients that can fit into a capsule depends on particle size, flowability, and density.
- Brand Perception: A well-sized capsule contributes to a positive customer experience and brand reputation.
- Packaging and Shipping Costs: Larger capsules may require bigger bottles, which increases material costs and affects shipping efficiency.
- Consumer Preference and Compliance: Some customers prefer fewer capsules per serving, while others prioritize easy-to-swallow options. These preferences influence purchasing decisions and long-term adherence to a supplement regimen.
Working with a qualified dietary supplement contract manufacturer like American Health Formulations, will aid you in choosing the best capsule size for your brand.
Understanding Capsule Sizes
Understanding vitamin capsule sizes and supplement capsule sizes is essential for brands aiming for customer satisfaction. Contact American Health Formulations, a top NSF Certified Supplement Manufacturer to understand all of your options.
- Size 000: Best for high-dose formulations or products requiring fewer capsules per serving. Commonly used for sports nutrition, herbal extracts, and large-dose vitamins.
- Size 00: The most popular size for dietary supplements, balancing dosage capacity with ease of swallowing. Ideal for most vitamins, minerals, and herbal blends.
- Size 0: A good option for smaller dosages or formulas targeting consumers who prefer easy-to-swallow capsules. Frequently used for general wellness supplements.
- Size 1: Suitable for lower-dose formulations and customers who prioritize small capsule size for easier consumption. Common in pediatric or senior-focused supplements.
Contact American Health Formulations, a top NSF Certified Supplement Manufacturer to understand all of your options.
Consulting with an expert R&D team
Evaluating the appropriate supplement capsule sizes requires a careful approach. Brands should partner with a capsule supplement manufacturer, who will help guide them through the following factors:
- Evaluate Your Formula: Consider the density and flowability of your ingredients. Fine powders may fit more compactly, while coarser materials require more space. Determine if your ingredients require additional fillers or flow agents to improve encapsulation efficiency.
- Prioritize Consumer Experience: A smaller capsule (size 0 or 1) might be a better choice if your target audience includes older adults or those with swallowing difficulties. If your formulation allows it, consider creating alternative forms, such as chewable or soft gels.
- Assess Your Dosage Requirements: Determine whether a single capsule can deliver the full dose or if a multi-capsule serving is acceptable for your product. If multiple capsules are needed, ensure serving sizes remain reasonable to maintain customer convenience.
- Consider Encapsulation and Manufacturing Costs: Larger capsules may require additional processing, while smaller capsules may need more units per serving, affecting production costs. Choosing a standard capsule size (size 00 or 0) can help lower manufacturing expenses due to higher availability and production efficiency. Collaborating with an experienced dietary supplement contract manufacturer can help streamline this process.
- Regulatory and Labeling Compliance: Ensure your chosen capsule size aligns with industry regulations and marketing claims. Ensure your formulation meets FDA, GMP, and other compliance standards regarding dosage limits and ingredient disclosures.
Alternatives to Capsules
If capsules aren’t the best fit for your formula or target audience, consider other delivery forms such as:
- Tablets: Can accommodate larger dosages per pill.
- Powder Stick Packs: Convenient for on-the-go consumers, allowing easy mixing with water or other beverages while ensuring accurate dosing.
Collaborating with NSF certified companies with a cGMP certified facility can help ensure your product meets the highest standards of safety and efficacy, regardless of the delivery form you choose.
Why Choose American Health Formulations?
American Health Formulations (AHF) a leading provider of dietary supplement contract manufacturing services, including:
- Custom Supplement Manufacturing: Tailored formulations to meet your brand’s unique needs.
- Private Label Supplement Manufacturing: Market-ready, pre-developed formulations.
- Multiple Dosage Forms and Co-Packaging options:
- Analytical Testing & Stability Studies: On-site laboratories to support meeting cGMP regulatory requirements in purity, safety and product effectiveness.
- Graphic Design and Labeling: In-house graphic design team for labels and pouches to be professionally designed and printed.
Contact American Health Formulations today to learn how our expertise as a custom supplement manufacturer can help grow your health and wellness brand.