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Counting Capsules the Easy Way

Counting Capsules the Easy Way

Tips, Hints, & Tutorials

 

Counting capsules can be tedious work, especially when you have a lot of them to do.  I’d like to offer you some tips for making the process potentially easier and quicker.  These tips should help whether you have a few dozen or a few thousand capsules to count.

 

Counting by Hand

 

When you don’t have any capsule counting equipment and you are looking for accuracy, hand counting is your safest bet.  Though hand counting can be time consuming and you often run the risk of losing count, there are some tricks to help you breeze through it smoothly.

 

First things first, expect that you’re going to loose count and plan for it.  A simple technique that works well, especially when you have to count to higher numbers, is to use multiple bowls or cups.  For example, if you’d like to count 300 capsules, fill 6 cups with 50 capsules. You can even use 5 cups of 10 to get the 50’s.   If you loose count at any point, it’s just one cup to recount and you can get back on track.

 

Next, I’m going to assume you can count by two’s quickly enough.  Now double it with two hands.  Count and fill 2 cups simultaneously by picking up 2 capsules at a time with your left hand and 2 capsules at a time with your right hand.  Each hand has it’s own bowl to fill.  This technique will cut your time in half.

 

 

 

 

For Small Jobs Try a Counting Tray

 

This is almost an unnecessary item and you could do the same job on your counter with a paper plate.  However, if you need to be really careful with dosing and would also like to keep your fingers off the capsules, then a counting tray might be right for you.  They are very inexpensive, like this one I found on Amazon for under $10:

 

Approximating the Number of Capsules With a Measuring Cup

 

When you just need to be close, using a measuring cup is the fastest way to count capsules.  Here’s a handy chart for reference.  I was using level cups when measuring (like in this image)

 

Approximating the Number of Capsules By Weight

 

When using small weight measures like milligrams, a chart like the one below can help you calculate your individuals capsule’s capacity.  For example:  If you fill 100 size 1 capsules and all together they weigh exactly one ounce (28349 mg).  To calculate each capsules milligrams, take the total weight, minus the weight of the empty capsules (76 mg), will give you 28273 mg. Divide that by 100 capsules and each capsule contains 283 mg.

 

Use a Counting Board

 

If you can pick up an inexpensive one, it might be worth it for you to have one of these handy items.  The biggest problem seems to be the price.  The price range on Amazon seems to be between $30-$60.  I found this one on eBay for $16, that’s a big difference. 

 

Building a Homemade Capsule Counter

 

If you’re low on cash or just like making things, you can make your own capsule counting tray.  I made a detailed tutorial, you can see it here:

 

5 Easy Ways to Hand Fill Capsules

5 Easy Ways to Hand Fill Capsules

Capsule Filling Methods & Machines, Tips, Hints, & Tutorials

 

Don’t have a capsule filling machine?  No problem.

Whether you need to fill a few capsules for a one-time dosing or you need a week’s worth, filling capsules by hand just might be your best solution.  There’s no need for a big mess or a machine, with these 5 simple techniques.

 

Just Have a Few Capsules to Fill?

Filling empty gelatin or veggie capsules can be quick, easy, and neat.   The trick is using the technique that works best with the particular powder you are using.  Some powders are more dense than others, some pour easily, some clump together with pressure.  You can choose which method will work best for you.

Here are the 5 Easy Ways to Hand Fill Capsules.

Jump ahead to the very BEST METHOD

 

It’s nice and easy when you can just press your open capsule into the powder and it packs in nicely, shown here with the spoon method.  This method works best with a shallow, concave small bowl or spoon.  The less powder you have, the smaller the container should be, so that you can press the capsule to the bottom.  If the powder is too deep, you don’t get the resistance needed to pack the powder deep into the capsule.

 

 

Unfortunately, not all powders are dense enough to pack and hold in a capsule.  In the next image, you can see the contrast of how turmeric stays put and garlic powder falls right out of the capsule.

 

 

For this reason, many people recommend the scoop and push method.  That’s when you dip both ends of the capsule into a pile of powder and connect them there.  It doesn’t matter if the powder packs well or not, it works.   I actually prefer to dip only the large end of the capsule in.  Dipping both ends creates an over-filled capsule that is harder to close.  If you have a large amount of powder, you can fill dozens of capsules very quickly with this technique.  One caveat, if your powder is slippery, it makes holding onto the capsules difficult.

 

You Might Need This Capsule Filling Kit

Beginner's Capsule Filling Kit Includes 7 Different Sizes of Gelatin Caps (1 Dozen of Each Size), Filling Tools, Pipettes for Transferring Oils, Medicine Cups, Scraper Card, Placemat, and More!

See on Amazon

 

When you have a light powder that’s difficult to work with, there are a few methods you can try.  If you just happen to have a small tipped lab scoop, you can try the scoop method.  For ultra fluffy and fly-away type powders, this method is ideal.  You simply dip the tip of the scoop into the powder to pick it up and then pour it into your empty capsule.

You could try making a lab scoop, it’s easy.
(note: I used a plastic deli container lid)

 

printable lab scoop template

 

 

There’s also the piece of paper method.  Simply use a post-it note, index or business card.  Fold it in half and use it as a chute.  If cross-contamination prevention procedures are necessary, you can use pharmacy grade non-absorbing gloss weighing paper, available on Amazon.

 

 

 

To pour a measured amount of powder into a capsule, the small funnel method can be very handy.

You can get the mini measuring spoons on Amazon for as little as $4.99 and a 5-pack of mini funnels for $3.75.

 

 

To hold your capsules in place, like in the above image, you can make your own out of a piece of scrap wood and a drill or purchase them here on our website.  

 

 

A drill bit size of 5/16″ works well for size 1, 0, and 00 capsules.  Use a 3/8″ drill bit for size 000.  For the smaller capsules, drill only 5 mm. deep, for the large capsules, you can go 1/4″ deep.  Use masking tape on your drill bit for depth guidance.  You may need a little sandpaper to clean it up the hole edges when you’re done.

 

 

 

There’s a 6th and BEST WAY to fill capsules.

No mess, no fuss at all!  This is our Capsule Grabber Spoon. (see it below)   You will love this little gadget.

SHOP NOW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What size capsule should you get?

Seven capsule sizes are readily available on Amazon.  The smallest is a size 4, the largest is a size 000 and they are usually sold in bags of 500 or 1000.  If you’re not sure which size you need, you can purchase a super handy variety pack.  It contains a dozen or more of each popular size, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 00, and 000, plus filling tools.  Check it out HERE on Amazon.  For more detailed capsule selection information, see our blog post Choosing the Right Capsule for Your Filling Needs.

 

Have More Than a Few Dozen Capsules to Fill?

 

You might want to consider heading on over to Herb Affair and get yourself a capsule filling machine.  With their premier product, the Capsule-It, you can fill 100 capsules in 8 minutes or less.  There’s video evidence to prove it, just look at their terrific reviews.  If you don’t need to fill that many, that fast, they also offer two other brands, the Capsule Machine and the Cap-M-Quik.

I might also add, that you can trust the integrity of this small business.  I’ve known the owner, Derek, for years.  He’s a stand up guy, with a wonderful customer following.

where to buy Capsule filling machine
How Many Capsules Make a Teaspoon?

How Many Capsules Make a Teaspoon?

Tips, Hints, & Tutorials

 

How Many Capsules Make a Teaspoon?

Figuring out how much can fit in a capsule can be confusing.  There’s charts available and they complicate matters by discussing powder density and its relationship to how much a capsule can hold.  While this is important information when you are calculating milligrams, when calculating teaspoons, it’s not necessary.

 

Here’s Why..

 

A teaspoon is a measure of volume, not weight.  Capsule sizes are based on volume, so a teaspoon’s volume will remain the same no matter what your powder’s density is.  A teaspoon of a fluffy powder will make the same number of capsules as a teaspoon of dense clay, but they will differ in milligrams (weight/volume).  The fluffy powder might contain 2000 milligrams in a teaspoon, while the clay might have 4000 mg.

If this is difficult to understand, here’s another way of looking at. Capsules have a volume capacity range, for example, a size 000 capsule can fit 1600 mg of a dense powder, yet only 650 mg of a fluffy powder.

 

So, How Many Capsules Make Up a Teaspoon?

 

For capsule size 000, it’s 3 capsules.
For capsule size 00, it’s 5 capsules.
For capsule size 0, it’s 6 capsules.
For capsule size 1, it’s 9 capsules.
For capsule size 2, it’s 12 capsules.
For capsule size 3, it’s 16 capsules.
For capsule size 4, it’s a whopping 19 capsules!

Scroll down to see the handy infographic.

 

 

You can try all seven gelatin capsule sizes with this Handy Capsule Kit available on Amazon HERE.

Have all capsule sizes readily available to you at a moment’s notice.

Includes the rare sizes that are appropriate for small children and small pets.

Every household should have one of these kits!

– This kit is great for those who only need to use capsules a few times a year.
– For those who have to swallow a bad tasting herb or medicine.
– When you need to hide medicine in you dog’s food.

Cost saving & convenient!

You’ll get one dozen (12) gelatin capsules in EACH size (from smallest to largest) 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 00, and 000.

All capsules are made from high quality BSE-free 100% bovine pharmaceutical gelatin, and both Kosher Pareve and Halal certified.

Comes with free sizing and dosing charts.
This handy reference guide will help you:
– When you have to take a teaspoon of something, you’ll quickly know how many capsules (of any of the 7 sizes) you’ll need to take.
– If you need to take specific milligrams of something, you’ll quickly know which size capsule to use and/or how many.

Each size comes individually packaged in 3″ x 3″ zip-lock bags.

Capsules are manufactured in the USA.

gelatin caps assorted sizes