Plain capsules
Plain Empty Hard Gelatin Capsules
Universe Capsules manufactures plain empty hard gelatin capsules in India for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and herbal companies. Choose a transparent or opaque shell in a single colour or any two-tone cap and body combination, in sizes 000 to 5, ready to run on manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic capsule filling machines.
- Sizes 000 to 5
- Transparent and opaque
- Two-tone colours
- GMP and ISO certified
- TSE/BSE free gelatin
- Tested to IP, USP and BP
What are plain capsules?
A plain capsule is a two-piece empty hard gelatin capsule, a longer body and a shorter cap, supplied without printing or a special finish. It is the most widely used capsule format in the world. You fill the body with powder, granules, pellets or mini-tablets, close the cap, and the shell dissolves within minutes in the stomach to release the contents.
Plain capsules can be transparent, so the fill is visible, or opaque, to give a solid colour and protect light-sensitive ingredients. The cap and body can be the same colour or two different colours, which helps customers recognise your product and tell different strengths apart.
Why buyers choose our plain capsules
Consistent dimensions
Every batch is held to tight length and diameter tolerances, so capsules separate, fill and close cleanly on high-speed lines with fewer rejects.
Right moisture content
Shells are made to 13 to 16 percent moisture: strong enough not to crack, flexible enough not to dent or stick.
Fast disintegration
Our capsules disintegrate in not more than 15 minutes in purified water at 37 °C.
Exact colour matching
Custom shades are matched from your sample or Pantone reference, given a colour code, and reproduced on every repeat order.
Certified quality
Made in a GMP certified facility with an ISO certified quality system, Halal certified and FSSAI licensed. Every batch is tested to IP, USP and BP requirements.
Careful packing
Sealed food-grade polyethylene bags inside corrugated cartons lined with thermocol, with every carton coded for full batch traceability.
Plain capsule sizes and capacity
Plain capsules are available in all eight standard sizes. The fill weights below are for a typical powder blend with a bulk density of 0.8 g/mL; your blend may hold more or less.
| Size | Closed length | Volume | Fill at 0.8 g/mL | Capsules per kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size 000 | 26.1 mm | 1.37 mL | about 1,096 mg | about 6,329 |
| Size 00 | 23.4 mm | 0.90 mL | about 720 mg | about 8,130 |
| Size 0 | 21.6 mm | 0.68 mL | about 544 mg | about 10,101 |
| Size 1 | 19.4 mm | 0.48 mL | about 384 mg | about 12,821 |
| Size 2 | 17.6 mm | 0.36 mL | about 288 mg | about 16,393 |
| Size 3 | 15.7 mm | 0.27 mL | about 216 mg | about 20,833 |
| Size 4 | 14.3 mm | 0.20 mL | about 160 mg | about 26,316 |
| Size 5 | 11.1 mm | 0.13 mL | about 104 mg | about 35,714 |
Sizes 0 and 2 are in regular production; other sizes are made on request. Full dimensions, tolerances and fill weights at six densities are in our empty capsule size chart. Not sure which size you need? Read size 0 vs size 00 capsules.
Plain capsule colours and shades
Popular colours
Our most requested plain capsule colours, in single and two-tone combinations. Tap any photo to see it larger.
- Red
Pink
Green
Maroon
Orange
Navy blue
Purple
Blue
Dark green
Yellow
Light blue
White
Blue / white
Grey / yellow
Red / yellow
Grey / white
Red / white
Pink / white
Assorted colours
Assorted colours
Shade card: colour codes
Choose a shade by its code and quote it when you ask for a quote or samples. Any other cap and body combination can be made to order.
BK01/BK01
BK01/OR03
BK01/RD04
BK01/VT01
BL07/YL12
BL09/BL09
BL19/PK05
BL27/PK08
BR01/YL16
BR04/OR10
CA01/IV17
DBL04/GY02
GR01/GR01
GR19/GY08
GR26/YL(IV)33
LBL29/YL19
LBL37/WH01
LBR10/LBR10
LGR13/LGR13
LGR13/WH01
LVT05/LVT05
MA13/YL27
MA15/WH01
RD14/WH01
VT04/WH01
WH01/WH01
YL15/YL15
Technical specification
| Material | Pharmaceutical grade gelatin, bovine hide origin, TSE/BSE free |
|---|---|
| Shell types | Transparent or opaque; single colour or two-tone cap and body |
| Sizes | 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 |
| Moisture content | 13 to 16 percent (loss on drying) |
| Disintegration | Not more than 15 minutes in purified water at 37 °C |
| Pharmacopoeial compliance | Tested to IP, USP and BP requirements |
| Certifications | GMP certified, ISO certified, Halal certified, FSSAI licensed |
| Colourants | Permitted colours, with titanium dioxide where an opaque shell is specified |
| Supplied | Pre-locked, ready for manual, semi-automatic and automatic filling |
| Packing | Heat-sealed food-grade polyethylene bag in a corrugated carton lined with thermocol on all six sides |
| Shelf life | Three to five years in sealed original packaging at 15 to 25 °C and 35 to 65 percent relative humidity |
Where plain capsules are used
- Pharmaceutical medicines prescription and over-the-counter products
- Nutraceuticals and vitamins multivitamins, minerals and sports supplements
- Ayurvedic and herbal products powders, extracts and traditional blends
- Probiotics dry probiotic and enzyme formulations
- Veterinary products medicines and supplements for animals
- Clinical trials and R&D small batches and dose-finding studies
Filling capsules yourself? See our guides on how to fill empty capsules by hand, capsule filling problems and how to store empty capsules.
How to order plain capsules
- Choose the sizePick the size that holds your dose, using the table above or our size chart.
- Choose the coloursSelect a shade code from the shade card, or send us a sample or Pantone reference for a custom match.
- Test samplesWe send samples, up to 5,000 capsules, so you can run them on your own filling line.
- Confirm the orderWe confirm quantity, price and lead time in writing and schedule production.
Minimum order quantity is 10,00,000 capsules (10 lakh) per specification, where a specification is one combination of size, colour and finish. We supply customers across India and export markets.
Other capsule finishes
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between plain and printed capsules?
Plain capsules have no printing on the shell. Printed capsules carry a brand name, logo or code on the cap, body or both. Both are made from the same hard gelatin shell, in the same sizes and colours.
Are your plain capsules transparent or coloured?
Both. We make transparent shells that show the fill, and opaque shells in single colours or two-tone cap and body combinations.
Which capsule size should I choose?
Choose the smallest size that holds your dose. Size 0 holds about 544 mg and size 00 about 720 mg of a typical powder. Our size chart lists every size.
Will your capsules run on my filling machine?
Yes. Capsule sizes are an international standard, so our capsules run on any machine with change parts for the same size. We recommend testing samples on your own line before a production order.
What is the minimum order quantity?
10,00,000 capsules (10 lakh) per specification. Samples are available in quantities up to 5,000 capsules.
How should plain capsules be stored?
Keep them sealed in the original packaging at 15 to 25 °C and 35 to 65 percent relative humidity, away from heat and direct sunlight. Stored this way they last three to five years.
Get plain capsule samples and a quote
Tell us the size, colours and quantity you need. We will send samples for your line trial and a written quotation.