Serving size vs. capsule count: avoid a false bargain
Distinguish capsules, label servings and ingredient amounts before comparing supplement costs or declarations.
The number of capsules in a bottle is not always the number of servings. Supplement Facts quantities are presented on a serving basis. NIH ODS notes that manufacturers specify a serving size; that label basis is not automatically a personalized recommendation.
Use three separate fields
Keep package count, units per label serving, and ingredient amount per label serving separate. For a simple fixed-count example, 120 capsules divided by two capsules per serving gives 60 servings. If the label explicitly states servings per container, verify that declaration against the package rather than silently replacing it with a guess.
Liquids and powders require extra care. Bottle volume, powder net weight and scoop count are not interchangeable quantities. A scoop can contain multiple ingredients. Do not divide total powder grams by the active ingredient grams to infer servings.
Compare the arithmetic
Imagine two $20 bottles, each containing 120 capsules. A uses one capsule per serving; B uses two. A has 120 label servings at about $0.17 each, while B has 60 at about $0.33 each. This alone says nothing about which supplies more of the ingredient: you still need the amount per serving for each.
If A declares 100 mg per serving and B declares 200 mg, both example containers supply 12 g. Their price per gram is the same, about $1.67, even though their cost per label serving differs. Comparing only bottle price or serving price would miss that relationship.
Resolve ambiguity before entering numbers
Some labels show ranges, alternative serving sizes or approximate servings per container. Choose a clearly stated basis and keep it consistent with the corresponding amount column. If you cannot establish that pairing, leave the estimate blank.
Our captured label pages preserve the original serving text for review. The price calculator asks you to confirm the current number of servings instead of automatically treating every package count as servings. This also helps avoid using an older observation for a different package variant.
Browse supplement labels · Try the two-product calculation
Source and editorial scope
NIH ODS: the dietary supplement label ↗ · Consulted September 26, 2026. Examples and cost arithmetic are illustrative calculations by Form & Fact. Source attribution does not imply endorsement. No clinical review or product testing is claimed.
These guides explain labels and comparison arithmetic. They do not recommend an intake or establish a product's safety, efficacy or quality. Sources and methodology.