Buying empty capsules comes down to three decisions: which material fits your formula and brand, which size holds your fill, and how much quantity you need for your stage of production. This guide walks through all three so you can order the right capsules with confidence.
What Empty Capsules Are
An empty hard capsule is a two-piece shell — a longer body and a shorter cap — that fits together to enclose a powder or blended fill. They're the standard format for encapsulating supplement and nutraceutical powders, and they come in a fixed set of industry-standard sizes across several shell materials. The shell material and the size are independent choices: most sizes are available in most materials.
Capsule Materials Compared
There are four shell materials you'll commonly choose between. The right one depends on your formula and how you want to position your product — not on one being universally "better" than another.
Gelatin
Gelatin capsules use an animal-derived protein shell. They're the long-established, widely used, cost-effective option and run smoothly on virtually all capsule filling equipment. Browse empty gelatin capsules.
HPMC (Vegetarian)
HPMC capsules use a plant-derived cellulose shell (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), making them suitable for vegetarian and plant-based positioning. They're a common choice for brands that want a non-animal shell. Browse HPMC vegetarian capsules.
Enteric (Acid-Resistant)
Enteric capsules are designed for delayed release rather than dissolving immediately. They're available in both gelatin and HPMC (vegetarian) versions, so you can pair the delayed-release format with the shell basis you prefer. Browse enteric capsules.
Pullulan
Pullulan capsules use a plant-based shell derived through fermentation. They're a plant-derived alternative to HPMC and are typically offered in the most common commercial sizes. Browse Pullulan capsules.
Quick material comparison
| Material | Shell basis | Typical positioning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gelatin | Animal-derived protein | General-purpose, cost-conscious | Widely used; broad size availability |
| HPMC (vegetarian) | Plant-derived cellulose | Vegetarian / plant-based | Common non-animal shell |
| Enteric | Gelatin or HPMC, acid-resistant | Delayed-release format | Available on either shell basis |
| Pullulan | Plant-based (fermentation-derived) | Plant-based alternative to HPMC | Usually common sizes only |
If you're unsure, gelatin and HPMC cover the majority of supplement use cases; enteric and Pullulan serve more specific format or positioning needs.
Choosing a Capsule Size
Empty capsules run from 000 (largest) down to 5 (smallest), and the same numbering applies across all four materials. The size you need depends on your target fill weight and your powder's density — a fixed volume holds different weights depending on what's packed into it.
For the full dimensions, volume, and approximate capacity of every size, plus the formula for estimating fill weight from your powder's density, see our capsule size chart (000–5). Sizes 0 and 00 are the most widely used across supplement production.
Small Quantity vs Bulk
How much to buy depends on where you are in production:
| Stage | Quantity approach | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sampling / R&D | Small quantity | Test a material and size before committing; dial in your formula and fill |
| Early production | Small to mid quantity | Match capsule spend to early order volume while validating demand |
| Established production | Bulk / wholesale | Lower cost per capsule at volume; fewer reorders for steady SKUs |
If you're still testing materials or sizes, start with a small quantity of capsules so you're not committing to a large order before your formula is finalized. Once your size and material are locked and demand is steady, buying empty capsules in bulk lowers your cost per capsule — browse the full range on the empty capsules collection.
Buying Capsules and a Filler Together
If you also need a way to fill your capsules, buying a matched capsule-and-filler set saves you from sizing them separately. The capsules and the filler plate are matched to the same size, so they work together out of the box — a practical starting point for new production. See the capsule + filler bundles. If you want to choose a machine separately, our guide on manual vs semi-auto vs automatic capsule filling machines walks through the options.
Buying Empty Capsules from Leadlife
Leadlife supplies empty capsules across the standard size range in all four materials — gelatin, HPMC vegetarian, enteric, and Pullulan — in both retail counts and bulk/wholesale quantities. Because we supply both capsules and capsule filling machines, you can source matched capsules and equipment from one place and ship from the USA. Browse everything on the empty capsules collection, or reach out with your material, size, and quantity and we'll help you order the right capsules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gelatin vs vegetarian capsules — which should I choose?
Both work for most powder fills and run on the same equipment. Gelatin is the long-established, cost-effective option; HPMC (vegetarian) uses a plant-derived shell for vegetarian or plant-based positioning. The choice comes down to your formula and how you want to position your product.
Are HPMC and Pullulan the same thing?
Both are plant-based (non-animal) shells, but they're different materials: HPMC is a plant-derived cellulose, while Pullulan is produced through fermentation. HPMC is available across more sizes; Pullulan is typically offered in the most common commercial sizes.
What are enteric capsules for?
Enteric capsules are designed for delayed release rather than dissolving immediately. They come in both gelatin and HPMC versions, so you can keep your preferred shell basis.
How many empty capsules should I buy to start?
If you're still testing a material or size, start with a small quantity so you don't over-commit. Once your formula, size, and material are settled and orders are steady, bulk quantities lower your cost per capsule.
How should I store empty capsules?
As a general rule, keep empty capsules in a cool, dry place in their sealed packaging, away from heat and humidity, until you're ready to fill them. Follow any handling guidance provided with your specific product.
Order the Right Empty Capsules
Decide on your material, confirm your size with the size chart, and choose a quantity that matches your stage. When you're ready, browse empty capsules in gelatin, HPMC vegetarian, enteric, and Pullulan — or tell us what you're making and we'll help you pick the right capsule for your fill.