Size 00 Hard Gelatin Capsule: Complete Guide for Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Buyers
Size 00 is one of the most widely used capsule sizes in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturing globally. It bridges the gap between the industry-standard size 0 and the largest commonly available size 000 — offering significantly more fill capacity than size 0 while remaining manageable for adult patients to swallow.
This complete reference guide from Universe Capsules, a hard gelatin capsule manufacturer in India, covers everything buyers and formulators need to know about size 00 capsules.
How size 00 compares to other standard capsule sizes
000 — 1.37ml
00 — 0.91ml ★
0 — 0.68ml
1 — 0.50ml
2 — 0.37ml
3 — 0.27ml
★ Size 00 highlighted. Volume comparison is proportional to actual capsule internal volumes.
Size 00 dimensions and specifications
| Dimension | Standard value | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|
| Internal volume | 0.91 ml | — |
| Cap outer diameter | 8.53 mm | ±0.10 mm |
| Body outer diameter | 8.18 mm | ±0.10 mm |
| Locked length (overall) | 23.3 mm | ±0.30 mm |
| Cap length | 11.7 mm | ±0.20 mm |
| Body length | 20.2 mm | ±0.20 mm |
| Shell wall thickness | ~0.10 mm | ±0.02 mm |
Fill weight capacity — size 00 reference table
Size 00 fill weight estimator
| Bulk density (g/ml) | Fill at 80% | Fill at 85% | Fill at 90% | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.30 (very low) | 218 mg | 232 mg | 245 mg | Moringa, neem, very fine herbal powders |
| 0.45 (low) | 327 mg | 347 mg | 368 mg | Ashwagandha, brahmi, low-density botanicals |
| 0.60 (moderate) | 437 mg | 464 mg | 491 mg | Probiotic blends, vitamin D, most nutraceuticals |
| 0.70 (standard) | 509 mg | 540 mg | 572 mg | Antibiotics, most pharma APIs in granule form |
| 0.85 (high) | 618 mg | 656 mg | 695 mg | Dense supplements, mineral blends, shilajit extracts |
Common applications for size 00 capsules
- High-dose nutraceutical supplements (500 mg+ API or blend per capsule)
- High-CFU probiotic formulations (10–50 billion CFU requiring large powder mass)
- Ayurvedic and herbal products with low-density botanical powders
- Omega-3 and fish oil supplements in powder form
- Multi-ingredient sports nutrition formulations
- High-dose antibiotic formulations (amoxicillin 500 mg, etc.)
- Modified release pellet fills where large pellet volume is needed
Patient swallowability considerations
At 23.3 mm locked length, size 00 is one of the larger capsule sizes used for human medicine. Swallowability research consistently shows that capsule length is the primary determinant of swallowing difficulty — more so than diameter. Size 00 can be challenging for elderly patients, those with dysphagia, and children.
Where the formulation allows, optimising blend bulk density to accommodate the required dose in size 0 (0.68 ml) improves patient compliance. Granulation to increase bulk density is a common strategy that can sometimes allow downsizing from size 00 to size 0 for the same dose.
Size 00 capsule availability from Universe Capsules
Universe Capsules manufactures size 00 hard gelatin capsules in the following variants:
- Plain — available in white/white, and various two-tone colour combinations
- Printed — brand name, dosage, or logo applied to pharmaceutical GMP standards
- Metallic finish — premium gold, silver, or colour metallic shell
- Pearl finish — subtle lustre for wellness and nutraceutical brand positioning
Order size 00 capsules from Universe Capsules
We manufacture and export size 00 hard gelatin capsules — plain, printed, metallic, and pearl finish — to pharmaceutical manufacturers and nutraceutical companies across India, the Middle East, and Africa. Samples available before bulk order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fill capacity of a size 00 capsule?
0.91 ml internal volume. At typical bulk densities of 0.5–0.85 g/ml, fill weights range from approximately 364–695 mg at 80–90% fill capacity. Use the estimator above for your specific bulk density.
What are the dimensions of a size 00 capsule?
Cap outer diameter 8.53 mm, body 8.18 mm, locked length 23.3 mm. Always verify against your filling machine specification — tolerances apply and may differ between suppliers.
What is size 00 capsule commonly used for?
High-dose pharma APIs, high-CFU probiotics, high-dose Ayurvedic and herbal powders, omega-3 supplements, sports nutrition, and any formulation where size 0 cannot accommodate the required dose at acceptable bulk density.
Is size 00 too large for some patients?
At 23.3 mm, size 00 is challenging for elderly patients and children. Where formulation permits, optimising bulk density to allow size 0 use improves patient acceptability. Granulation can sometimes enable this downsizing.
