Label check
Comparing supplement prices per labeled serving
Bottle price and capsule count do not show the cost of a labeled serving on their own. Divide the price by servings per container while preserving each product's stated serving basis.
Part of Medicines
This check covers US labels. Start with the exact package and variant you have, then use the steps below. Explore more supplements checks.
What to look at
- Read servings per container rather than assuming one capsule is one serving.
- Divide the purchase price by that number.
- Compare ingredients and amounts separately from the cost calculation.
Read this label.
A: $18 for 30 servings. B: $24 for 60 servings.
Illustrative excerpt · not a real productA costs $0.60 per labeled serving and B costs $0.40. The cheaper serving may still contain different ingredients or amounts.
Why this reading matters
A supplement label gives ingredients and amounts, but it does not establish whether you need the product. Independent quality seals do not guarantee that a supplement is effective or safe for everyone. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements.
Read the serving basis before the ingredient amounts. A mineral source can be named beside the nutrient; botanical plant parts and proprietary blends carry additional information that a headline number can hide. US Food and Drug Administration.
What the label cannot settle
A serving is not a personalized prescription. Do not change intake to improve the apparent price, and do not treat the lower cost as evidence that the supplement is needed.
Put the check to work
Compare the exact words and amounts on your package with the example. If a panel is missing, a photo is unreadable or the manufacturer has not disclosed a detail, keep that detail as unknown. A different flavor, shade or formulation needs its own check.
For the full reading method, use our supplements label guide. The medicines and supplements guide adds context for your needs.
A useful next check
- Per serving vs per capsule on supplements
- Capsule count vs servings per container
- The same nutrient in two supplements
Sources read and this label example reviewed on 2026-09-24. Examples are illustrative, not product tests or clinical reviews.
Sources
- Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know NIH Office of Dietary Supplements · ods.od.nih.gov Supplement labeling, quality seals, safety and effectiveness
- Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide: Nutrition Labeling US Food and Drug Administration · fda.gov Serving basis, source forms, botanical plant parts, blends; not historical nutrient reference values