Size 00 is the most popular capsule size for home use, and the reason is straightforward: capacity. A standard empty gelatin capsules size 00 holds approximately 735mg of powder, though fill weight varies by powder density. If you are shopping for empty 00 capsules, that volume capacity is the number worth paying attention to, not the milligram estimate on the label. A fluffy powder like moringa will fill lighter. A dense powder like magnesium glycinate will fill heavier (International Journal of Pharmaceutics: X, 2019). Knowing this prevents underdosing or wasting material.
For most common supplements, size 00 capsules hit the practical sweet spot. You get a meaningful dose in a single capsule without the size becoming difficult to swallow. If you are unsure whether size 00 is right for your formula, our Empty Capsule Sizes page breaks down the full range with fill weight comparisons.
Gelatin vs. Other Shell Materials: What You're Actually Choosing
The capsule shell is not just packaging. It affects how quickly your supplement releases, how well it holds up in storage, and whether it fits your dietary preferences. Most home supplement makers start with gelatin capsules 00 because they are widely available, cost-effective, and dissolve reliably. Here is what separates the main options:
Dissolution Speed
Gelatin shells dissolve faster than most vegetarian alternatives. They begin breaking down within minutes of hitting stomach acid, which means the powder inside reaches your digestive system quickly (Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2006). For most people, this is exactly what you want.
Dietary Considerations
Gelatin is derived from animal collagen, typically bovine or porcine (DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2017). If that matters to your diet or values, vegetarian capsules made from hypromellose (HPMC) are a reliable alternative. Our piece breaking down What the DIfference Is Between Gelatin vs. Vegetarian Capsules page covers this in full.
Stability And Moisture Sensitivity
Gelatin capsules are sensitive to humidity. Too much moisture and they soften; too little and they become brittle (Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1998). Store them sealed, away from heat and humidity, and they hold up well for home use.
How To Fill Size 00 Capsules At Home Without Wasting Powder
Filling capsules by hand, one at a time, works but it is slow and inconsistent. A capsule filling machine solves both problems by letting you fill empty pill capsules 00 in a single pass with uniform packing pressure. Here is what makes the process work well:
Choose The Right Filling Machine
A tray-style capsule filler holds capsules in place while you spread powder across the top. The CAPSULE-IT fills 24 capsules at once, which cuts the time and mess of hand-filling significantly. If you are filling large batches regularly, the Pro Series 400 handles 400 capsules per cycle.
Pack Consistently For Accurate Doses
Loose powder means inconsistent fill weights (International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 1999), though it's worth knowing that some variance, around 10%, is normal and expected, even store-bought supplements see batch-to-batch variation. However, it's worth knowing that some variance, around 10%, is normal and expected, even store-bought supplements see batch-to-batch variation. Use a spreader card to distribute powder evenly across the tray.
How much you tamp, if at all, depends on your target milligrams per capsule rather than being a required step for every batch. Pairing your setup with a digital kitchen scale, available in our shop, helps you verify batch weight and catch any significant variation.
Use Pre-Separated Capsules To Save Time
Standard capsules arrive joined and need to be pulled apart before loading. Our separated capsules come ready to load straight into the tray. For anyone filling capsules regularly, that small difference adds up across a batch of empty gelatin capsules size 00.
What To Take Away
Picking the right capsule starts with knowing what you actually need. Size 00 suits most home formulas, gelatin dissolves reliably for most people, and a basic filling machine turns a tedious process into a repeatable one. None of this requires a background in nutrition or pharmaceutical manufacturing. It requires the right information and the right tools.
At Herb Affair, we stock everything covered in this article: empty gelatin capsules size 00, capsule filling machines for small and large batches, and a full range of herbal powders with no fillers added. If you want to understand the fuller case for making your own supplements, our page on Why You Should Fill Your Own Capsules is a good next read. The decision is yours to make.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
- Chang, R. K., Raghavan, K. S., & Hussain, M. A. (1998). A study on gelatin capsule brittleness: Moisture transfer between the capsule shell and its content. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 87(5), 556–558. https://doi.org/10.1021/js9704238
- Missaghi, S., & Fassihi, R. (2006). Evaluation and comparison of physicomechanical characteristics of gelatin and hypromellose capsules. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 32(7), 829–838. https://doi.org/10.1080/03639040600608888
- Nikzad, J., Shahhosseini, S., Tabarzad, M., Nafissi-Varcheh, N., & Torshabi, M. (2017). Simultaneous detection of bovine and porcine DNA in pharmaceutical gelatin capsules by duplex PCR assay for Halal authentication. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 25(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40199-017-0171-3
- Podczeck, F., & Newton, J. M. (1999). Powder filling into hard gelatine capsules on a tamp filling machine. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 185(2), 237–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-5173(99)00169-6
- Stranzinger, S., Faulhammer, E., Li, J., Dong, R., Zeitler, J. A., Biserni, S., Calzolari, V., Khinast, J. G., & Markl, D. (2019). Predicting capsule fill weight from in-situ powder density measurements using terahertz reflection technology. International Journal of Pharmaceutics: X, 1, 100004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpx.2018.100004
