Tablet Sizing Guide — Dimensions and Specifications | EMMKAY INDUSTRIES
A size chart is a document that reflects the measurements for:
1. Machine type that you have.
2. Maximum length of tablet that can be produced for selected machine type.
3. External Diameter of Punch Barrel.
4. External Diameter of Die.
Selecting the correct tablet size is one of the first decisions in tablet tooling. The tablet diameter, thickness, and weight determine which tooling standard you need, what punch tip profile to use, and how many tablets you can produce per batch.
This guide covers standard tablet sizes across pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, ayurvedic, and confectionery applications, along with the tooling specifications that correspond to each size.
Round tablets are the most common shape. Here are the standard diameters and their typical applications:
Small Tablets (3mm–6mm)
3mm — 15-30mg — Micro-dose pharmaceuticals, homeopathic tablets. D or BB tooling.
4mm — 30-60mg — Small-dose pharmaceutical tablets. D or BB tooling.
5mm — 50-100mg — Standard pharmaceutical tablets. D or BB tooling.
6mm — 80-150mg — Common pharmaceutical size. D or BB tooling.
Medium Tablets (7mm–10mm)
7mm — 100-200mg — Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tablets. D tooling.
8mm — 150-300mg — Very common pharmaceutical size. D tooling.
9mm — 200-400mg — Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tablets. D or BB tooling.
10mm — 300-500mg — Common nutraceutical size. D tooling.
Large Tablets (11mm–13mm)
11mm — 350-600mg — Nutraceutical and ayurvedic tablets. D tooling.
12mm — 400-700mg — Nutraceutical and ayurvedic tablets. D tooling.
13mm — 500-900mg — Large pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tablets. D tooling (max for standard).
Extra Large Tablets (15mm–25mm)
15mm — 700-1200mg — Large nutraceutical and veterinary tablets. B tooling.
18mm — 1000-1800mg — Veterinary and large nutraceutical tablets. B tooling.
20mm — 1200-2500mg — Veterinary boluses. B tooling.
25mm — 2000-5000mg — Large veterinary boluses. B tooling (max).
Note: Weight ranges are approximate and depend on formulation density, cup depth, and compression force. Actual weights vary based on your specific formulation.
Capsule Shape Tablet Sizes
Capsule-shaped (oblong) tablets are measured by length and width. All capsule shapes require keyed punches to maintain orientation during compression.
8mm x 4mm — 100-200mg — Small pharmaceutical tablets. BB tooling.
10mm x 5mm — 150-300mg — Pharmaceutical tablets. BB / B tooling.
12mm x 6mm — 250-450mg — Common pharmaceutical size. B tooling.
14mm x 7mm — 350-600mg — Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tablets. B / D tooling.
16mm x 8mm — 500-800mg — Nutraceutical tablets. B / D tooling.
18mm x 9mm — 600-1000mg — Large nutraceutical tablets. B / D tooling.
20mm x 10mm — 800-1400mg — Large nutraceutical tablets. D tooling.
22mm x 11mm — 1000-1800mg — Large nutraceutical and veterinary tablets. D tooling.
Tooling Standard Selection by Tablet Size
The tablet diameter determines which tooling standard you need:
Die outer diameter: 38.1mm (1.5 inches)
Maximum tablet diameter: 25mm
Punch barrel diameter: 25.4mm
Most common standard — used on the majority of pharmaceutical tablet presses
Die outer diameter: 30.16mm (1.1875 inches)
Maximum tablet diameter: 18.5mm
Punch barrel diameter: 19.0mm
Used for medium to large tablets on B-type presses
Die outer diameter: 24mm (0.945 inches)
Maximum tablet diameter: 18.5mm
Punch barrel diameter: 19.0mm
Compact presses — allows more stations per turret for higher output
Die outer diameter: 30.16mm (1.1875 inches) — same as B tooling die
Maximum tablet diameter: 25mm — same as D tooling range
Punch barrel diameter: 25.4mm — same as D tooling punch
Versatile option: B-size die with D-size punch barrel
How to choose:
If your tablet is 25mm or smaller → D tooling (most common) or DB tooling
If your tablet is 18.5mm or smaller → B tooling or BB tooling (for compact presses)
If you have a B-size press but need tablets up to 25mm → DB tooling
Punch Tip Profiles and Cup Depth
The punch tip profile affects tablet appearance, coating, and breakability:
Flat-faced (FF) — 0mm cup depth — Best for scoring, embossing, and uncoated tablets
Flat-faced beveled edge (FFBE) — 0mm cup depth with beveled edge — Reduced chipping during coating
Shallow concave (SC) — 0.5-1.5mm cup depth — Standard for most coated pharmaceutical tablets
Standard concave (StdC) — 1.5-3.0mm cup depth — General-purpose tablets
Deep concave (DC) — 3.0-5.0mm cup depth — Thick film-coated tablets
Extra deep concave — 5.0mm+ cup depth — Special applications
Compound cup — Variable cup depth — Branded tablets and special profiles
General rule: Shallower cups produce flatter tablets that are easier to package. Deeper cups produce rounder tablets that coat more evenly.
Weight Calculation Guide
Approximate tablet weight can be estimated using:
For round flat-faced tablets:
Weight (mg) = π × (radius in cm)² × thickness (cm) × density (mg/cm³)
Typical formulation densities:
Pharmaceutical granules: 1.0-1.3 g/cm³
Nutraceutical powders: 0.8-1.2 g/cm³
Ayurvedic formulations: 0.9-1.1 g/cm³
Confectionery (sugar-based): 1.3-1.5 g/cm³
Practical approach: Most manufacturers determine final tablet weight through trial compressions rather than calculation. Start with the target weight, select a diameter that produces a tablet of acceptable thickness (typically 3-6mm for pharmaceutical tablets), and adjust compression parameters.
Multi-Tip Sizing Considerations
When using multi-tip punches, tablet size determines how many tips fit per station:
D Tooling (25.4mm barrel)
3-4mm tablets — 5 to 7 tips per station
5-6mm tablets — 3 to 4 tips per station
7-8mm tablets — 2 to 3 tips per station
9-10mm tablets — 2 tips per station
11mm+ tablets — Single Tip Only
B Tooling (19.0mm barrel)
3-4mm tablets — 4+ tips per station
5-6mm tablets — 2 to 3 tips per station
7-8mm tablets — 2 tips per station
9mm+ tablets — Single Tip Only
Smaller tablets benefit most from multi-tip tooling — a 3mm tablet with 7 tips produces 7 tablets per press cycle per station.
