Capsule Size Chart: 000-5 Dimensions, Volume & Capacity

CAPSULE SIZE CHART

Standard two-piece hard capsules run from size 000, the largest shown here, to size 5, the smallest.

A capsule size chart compares the dimensions and nominal internal volume of two-piece hard capsules. At URMACHINE, capsule size is treated as both a formulation decision and a tooling decision. The shell must hold the target formulation, separate and close reliably on the filling machine, and pass through the planned packaging line.

The standard human-use range normally runs from 000 to 5. Size 000 is the largest in that sequence; size 5 is the smallest. The number does not state how many milligrams the capsule will hold. Milligrams measure mass, while a capsule provides volume. Converting between them requires a measured formulation density.

Use this page for initial comparison, then confirm the result against the approved drawing for the exact empty capsule supplier, material and product family. Production approval still requires a trial with the actual formulation, tooling and operating speed.

Interactive Capsule Size Calculator

Calculate the theoretical internal volume required and get recommended shell sizes with practical operating margins.

Target Fill Mass (mg):

Formulation Density (g/mL):

Complete Empty Capsule Size Chart

The table below uses published Suheung EMBO CAPS reference values for HPMC hard capsules. It is one supplier-specific specification, not a universal standard. Small differences in volume, shell weight and dimensions occur among suppliers and between gelatin and HPMC product families.

Capsule size	Nominal body volume (mL)	Average empty shell weight (mg)	Closed length (mm)	Cap outside diameter (mm)	Body outside diameter (mm)
000	1.37	160	26.1	9.91	9.55
00	0.91	123	23.3	8.53	8.18
0	0.68	95	21.7	7.64	7.34
1	0.50	75	19.4	6.91	6.63
2	0.37	62	18.0	6.35	6.07
3	0.30	48	15.9	5.82	5.56
4	0.21	38	14.3	5.31	5.05
5	0.13	26	11.1	4.91	4.68

Download the printable Capsule Size Chart PDF for a one-page reference containing the same supplier-qualified dimensions and density calculations.

How to Read Capsule Dimensions

Chart field	What it measures	Why it matters
Nominal body volume	Reference internal volume of the capsule body	Starting point for formulation-volume calculations
Empty shell weight	Approximate mass of the unfilled cap-and-body assembly	Supports tare evaluation; it is not fill capacity
Closed length	Overall length at the specified locked position	Affects tooling, counting, blister pockets and cartons
Cap outside diameter	External width of the cap	Must match orientation, segment and closing clearances
Body outside diameter	External width of the body	Must match filling bores and transfer components
Tolerance	Permitted variation around a nominal measurement	Needed for purchasing specifications and tooling checks

A tooling check uses the complete capsule drawing, not the size number alone.

Cap length plus body length is greater than closed length because the components overlap after locking. Do not add the two component lengths to estimate the finished capsule length. Pre-lock length and locked length can also differ, so the drawing must state which condition is being measured.

How Many Milligrams Fit in a Capsule?

There is no fixed milligram capacity for size 000, 00, 0 or any other capsule. A light botanical powder and a dense mineral blend can occupy the same volume while producing very different fill weights.

Use this screening equation:

Estimated fill mass (mg) = capsule volume (mL) × formulation density (g/mL) × 1,000

The density must represent the intended process. Loose bulk density, tapped density and the in-capsule density created by a tamping or dosator system are related but not interchangeable.

Capsule Capacity by Formulation Density

Capsule size	At 0.6 g/mL (mg)	At 0.8 g/mL (mg)	At 1.0 g/mL (mg)	At 1.2 g/mL (mg)
000	822	1,096	1,370	1,644
00	546	728	910	1,092
0	408	544	680	816
1	300	400	500	600
2	222	296	370	444
3	180	240	300	360
4	126	168	210	252
5	78	104	130	156

These are mathematical estimates based on the HPMC volumes in the first table. They are not guaranteed production fill weights. Powder flow, aeration, particle-size distribution, moisture, compression and dosing method change the density achieved inside the capsule. If capacity shifts during a run, investigate formulation behavior as well as the machine; the guide to poor powder flow in capsule filling provides a practical diagnostic sequence.

For example, a 700 mg formulation at 0.8 g/mL requires about 0.875 mL. A 0.91 mL size 00 shell is a logical development candidate, while a 0.68 mL size 0 shell is too small under the same assumption. The final choice still needs an operating margin and a production-representative trial.

Capsule Sizes 000 to 5 Explained

The numbering runs in the opposite direction from physical size: more zeros mean a larger shell, while higher positive numbers mean a smaller shell.

Size range	Relative capacity	Practical screening direction	Main trade-off to check
000	Largest standard volume in this chart	Very high-volume or low-density formulations	Large finished capsule and larger packaging footprint
00	High volume	Formulations that do not fit size 0 with adequate margin	Larger than size 0; requires its own change parts
0 and 1	Medium volume	Moderate formulation mass when density permits	Balance capacity against finished dimensions
2 and 3	Lower volume	Lower total fill mass or concentrated formulations	Smaller bores increase alignment sensitivity
4 and 5	Smallest volumes in this chart	Very low fill mass and specialized products	Limited capacity and demanding small-part handling

This table gives an engineering direction, not a medical recommendation. Swallowability depends on more than shell length, and products intended for children, older adults or people with swallowing difficulties require qualified product-specific assessment.

Extended and Special Capsule Sizes

Some suppliers offer elongated or specialized formats in addition to the standard 000-to-5 sequence.

Format	General description	What must be confirmed
00E or 00EL	Elongated size 00 format intended to add volume without using the width of size 000	Supplier drawing, volume, availability and dedicated tooling
0E or 0EL	Elongated size 0 format with more volume than standard size 0	Exact locked length and change-part compatibility
Other EL formats	Supplier-specific elongated shells	Do not infer specifications from the base size name
Preclinical or veterinary formats	Specialized sizes outside the usual human-use chart	Application, shell source, dosing system and regulatory requirements

The letters E and EL are not enough to specify a capsule. Two suppliers may use different dimensions or locking designs. Purchase and machine documents should identify the full product code and approved drawing.

Size 0 vs Size 00 Capsules

Size 00 and size 0 are often compared because both provide useful capacity without reaching the dimensions of size 000.

Comparison	Size 00	Size 0
Example HPMC body volume	0.91 mL	0.68 mL
Example HPMC closed length	23.3 mm	21.7 mm
Example HPMC cap diameter	8.53 mm	7.64 mm
Estimated mass at 0.8 g/mL	728 mg	544 mg
Typical reason to shortlist	More room for a larger or lower-density fill	Smaller finished capsule when the formulation fits
Tooling requirement	Size 00 change parts	Size 0 change parts

Choose size 00 when the formulation cannot fit size 0 with a suitable process margin. Choose size 0 when it reaches the target weight without excessive consolidation and the smaller finished format benefits the product. Neither is automatically the better or more common choice for every market.

Gelatin, HPMC, Pullulan and Softgel Sizes

Readers searching for a gelatin capsule size chart or gel capsule sizes may be referring to different dosage forms. The 000-to-5 chart applies to two-piece hard capsules, not automatically to softgels.

Capsule system	How size is normally described	Main specification differences	Production implication
Hard gelatin capsule	Common numerical sizes such as 000 to 5	Supplier-specific volume, shell weight, moisture and dimensions	Confirm separation, locking and storage conditions
HPMC hard capsule	Common numerical sizes such as 000 to 5	May differ slightly from gelatin in wall, volume, dimensions and mechanical response	Recheck vacuum, static, feeding and closing settings
Pullulan hard capsule	Numerical sizes offered by the selected supplier	Available size range and formulation can be narrower	Confirm supply and tooling before product design is locked
Softgel	Die pocket, shape, nominal fill volume or product-specific dimensions	One-piece shell formed and filled during encapsulation	Requires rotary-die tooling rather than hard-capsule change parts

The article on what medicine capsules are made of explains the material differences in more detail. When changing from gelatin to HPMC, treat the shell as a controlled material change; the guide to HPMC capsules on automatic filling machines covers the associated machine checks.

Are Gelcaps and Softgels Covered by the Same Chart?

The word gelcap is used inconsistently. If it means a two-piece hard gelatin capsule, the numerical chart may apply. If it means a one-piece softgel, it does not. A softgel is specified by the product and rotary die, including shape, seam geometry and fill volume.

How to Choose the Right Capsule Size

Capsule selection moves from formulation data to supplier specifications, equipment checks and trial evidence.

Step	Decision or calculation	Required evidence	Output
1	Define total target fill mass	Active plus all excipients per capsule	Target mass in mg
2	Measure relevant density	Documented bulk, tapped or process-representative method	Density in g/mL
3	Calculate theoretical volume	Target mass divided by density	Required volume in mL
4	Compare supplier volumes	Approved capsule specification	Shortlist with operating margin
5	Check finished-product needs	Dose regimen, package, user and market requirements	Preferred physical format
6	Verify material and tooling	Shell samples, drawings and machine change-part list	Trial-ready configuration
7	Run a representative trial	Actual formulation, shell, speed and environment	Fill-weight and handling results
8	Approve the specification	Yield, rejects, locking, variation and package results	Controlled production standard

SIZE IS APPROVED ONLY AFTER THE FORMULATION AND EQUIPMENT WORK TOGETHER
Record the supplier, material, drawing, change parts and trial results

Do not choose a shell that only matches the theoretical maximum. Normal density variation, hopper residence, dosing behavior and weight-control limits require practical headroom. Record the exact capsule supplier and product family in the approved specification.

How Capsule Size Affects Filling Equipment

An automatic capsule filling machine does not become a dedicated “size 0 machine” or “size 3 machine” merely because one tooling set is installed. Each size normally needs compatible format parts and validated settings.

Equipment area	Size-related item to verify	Possible result of a mismatch
Capsule feeding and orientation	Shell length, diameter and pre-lock condition	Misfeeds, reversed capsules or stoppages
Separation station	Segment bore, vacuum and cap-body fit	Unseparated or damaged shells
Dosing station	Body volume, bore size and required fill mass	Underfill, over-compression or leakage
Closing station	Locked length, closing stroke and alignment	Loose, dented, split or telescoped capsules
Polishing and inspection	Finished dimensions and shell strength	Breakage, jams or unstable inspection
Counting or bottling	Capsule length, diameter and bottle opening	Counting errors or transfer restrictions
Blister packaging	Capsule outline, pocket depth and web layout	Poor fit, seal interference or inefficient pack size
Cartoning	Blister or bottle dimensions after the size change	Carton mismatch or downstream bottleneck

Use the automatic capsule filling machine buying guide to compare filling configurations beyond nominal speed. If feeding, separation or closing defects appear during a size change, work through the capsule filling machine troubleshooting guide before changing several settings at once.

Large capsules can also change blister cavity dimensions and pack count. Confirm the selected shell with the planned automatic blister packing machine rather than approving the filler in isolation.

Common Capsule Size Selection Mistakes

Mistake	Why it fails	Better control
Treating size as a fixed mg value	Fill mass changes with formulation density and process	State the volume, density and calculation basis
Mixing figures from several suppliers	The resulting row may not describe any actual capsule	Keep each table tied to one product specification
Selecting exactly to nominal volume	Leaves no allowance for process variation	Shortlist with margin and verify through trials
Assuming all materials share identical dimensions	Gelatin, HPMC and pullulan products can differ	Review the exact material and supplier drawing
Calling a filler compatible without change parts	Nominal range does not prove installed tooling	List each tooling set in the purchase specification
Ignoring downstream packaging	A capsule may fill correctly but jam or waste pack area	Trial the complete handling and packaging path
Choosing from active dose alone	Excipients and total formulation density determine volume	Calculate from total fill mass, not API mass only
Using softgel data in a hard-capsule chart	The dosage forms use different shell and tooling systems	Specify hard capsule or softgel before comparing size

Capsule Size Chart FAQ

What Are the Standard Capsule Sizes?

The commonly referenced two-piece hard-capsule range is 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Some suppliers also offer elongated or specialized formats. Availability depends on the capsule material and product family.

What Is the Largest Capsule Size?

Size 000 is the largest in the standard 000-to-5 range shown here. It has a nominal 1.37 mL body volume in the referenced HPMC specification. Specialized sizes outside this sequence also exist.

What Is the Smallest Capsule Size?

Size 5 is the smallest standard size in this chart. Its referenced nominal body volume is 0.13 mL and its closed length is 11.1 mm. Small dimensions do not remove the need for formulation and tooling trials.

Is Size 00 Larger Than Size 0?

Yes. In the referenced HPMC data, size 00 has a 0.91 mL body volume and 23.3 mm closed length. Size 0 has a 0.68 mL body volume and 21.7 mm closed length.

How Many Milligrams Fit in a Size 00 Capsule?

It depends on formulation density. Using the 0.91 mL reference volume, theoretical capacity is about 546 mg at 0.6 g/mL, 728 mg at 0.8 g/mL, 910 mg at 1.0 g/mL and 1,092 mg at 1.2 g/mL. Trial results may differ.

What Are Size 0 Capsule Dimensions?

The referenced HPMC size 0 shell is 21.7 mm long when closed, with a 7.64 mm cap outside diameter and 7.34 mm body outside diameter. Use the drawing from the exact supplier before ordering tooling.

What Are Size 1 Capsule Dimensions?

The referenced HPMC size 1 shell is 19.4 mm long when closed, with a 6.91 mm cap outside diameter and 6.63 mm body outside diameter. Supplier-specific specifications remain controlling.

Can a 10 mg or 20 mg Dose Determine Capsule Size?

No. Active dose alone does not determine size. Add the excipient mass, determine total formulation density and calculate the required volume. A low active dose can still need a larger shell when the finished blend has substantial excipients or low density.

Do Gelatin and HPMC Capsules Have the Same Sizes?

They commonly use the same numerical names, but dimensions, shell weight, body volume, moisture behavior and mechanical response can differ by supplier and product family. Do not treat the material change as specification-neutral.

Can One Filling Machine Run Sizes 000 to 5?

Some machines can be configured for a broad size range, but each size normally needs matching change parts and settings. Confirm the exact machine model, installed tooling, shell specification, formulation and required speed.

Does Capsule Size Affect Blister and Bottle Packaging?

Yes. Length and diameter affect blister pocket geometry, pack count, bottle opening, counting setup and carton dimensions. Validate the complete line after changing capsule size.

Technical References

Suheung EMBO CAPS hard capsule specifications
ACG pharmaceutical capsule technical specifications
Types of Capsules: Materials, Uses, Sizes and Manufacturing

All values in this article are reference data. Use the approved specification and certificate documentation for the exact capsule supplier, material, color and product family. Confirm formulation capacity and machine performance through documented trials.

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