By Ronnie Yu, CEO, Leadlife Technology Company LLC
Capsule size decides how much your capsule holds and which tooling your filling machine needs, so it is one of the first choices in capsule production. This guide covers the standard sizes from 000 (largest) to 5 (smallest), their approximate capacity, and how to match a size to your powder and your machine.
Capsule size chart (000–5)
Approximate capsule volumes are shown below. These are nominal reference values — actual fill weight depends on your powder's density and how it is filled, so confirm with a test fill of your own blend.
| Size | Approx. volume (mL) | Relative scale |
|---|---|---|
| 000 | ~1.37 | Largest |
| 00 | ~0.95 | Very large |
| 0 | ~0.68 | Large |
| 1 | ~0.50 | Medium |
| 2 | ~0.37 | Medium-small |
| 3 | ~0.30 | Small |
| 4 | ~0.21 | Smaller |
| 5 | ~0.13 | Smallest |
Fill weight and volume by size
Because capsules are filled by volume but dosed by weight, the same size holds different weights for different powders — a dense mineral powder weighs more than a light herbal blend in the same shell. Use the volume as your starting point, then confirm fill weight with a test run of your actual material.
Choosing a size for your powder
Match the size to the amount your formula needs to hold, then check that the powder flows well into that shell. If a fill does not fit the target size, options include a larger size, a denser blend, or adjusting the formula. Free-flowing, consistent powders fill more predictably at any size.
Matching size to machine tooling
Capsule fillers run one size at a time using size-specific change parts. If you plan to run several sizes, budget for additional tooling sets and changeover time. Confirm which size a machine ships configured for before ordering. Source shells from empty capsules and see the guide to buying empty capsules for materials.
Ready to fill? Browse manual capsule filling machines and the full production machine range, or plan a complete line with a turnkey supplement packaging line. For machine selection, see the best capsule filling machines guide. Starting out? See how to start capsule production, or start from the commercial capsule filling machines hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is the largest capsule size?
000 is the largest standard size, holding roughly 1.37 mL; 5 is the smallest at about 0.13 mL. Actual fill weight depends on powder density.
How much powder fits in a size 0 capsule?
A size 0 holds about 0.68 mL by volume. The weight that represents depends on your powder, so confirm with a test fill.
Which capsule size should I use?
Pick the size whose volume matches the amount your formula needs to hold, then confirm the powder flows and fills consistently at that size.
Match your size and machine
Tell us your fill amount and powder, and we will help you confirm the capsule size and matching tooling — shipped from the USA. Contact us for a quote.
About the author
Ronnie Yu — CEO, Leadlife Technology Company LLC
Ronnie Yu leads Leadlife Technology Company LLC, a U.S.-based supplier of capsule filling, bottling, packaging and turnkey supplement production equipment. His work focuses on helping supplement brands, nutraceutical manufacturers and growing production teams choose practical equipment systems, plan capacity and scale from manual operations to commercial production. More about Ronnie Yu →