Empty Gelatin Capsules: How to Fill and Store Them Safely

Quick answer

To fill empty gelatin capsules by hand, separate the cap from the body, fill the body with leveled powder, then press the cap back on until it seats. Work over a clean, dry surface with dry hands and dry tools, and pick a capsule size that matches your dose. Clear Gelatin Capsule from Apothecary Products comes in Size 000, 00, 0, and 4, so you can match the capsule to how much powder you need to fit.

Pick the capsule size before you start filling

Capsule size determines how much powder fits, so choose it before you open any capsules. Clear Gelatin Capsule is available in Size 000, Size 00, Size 0, and Size 4, and each size holds a different volume. If you are new to filling capsules without a machine, start with a larger size so you have room to work and less spillage. If your dose is small, a smaller capsule is easier to swallow and wastes less powder.

Set up a dry, clean filling station

Gelatin capsules are sensitive to moisture, so keep the area and your hands dry. Wash and dry your hands, then lay out a clean sheet of paper or a shallow tray to catch powder. Have a small bowl or pile of powder, a leveling tool such as a card or spatula, and a clean dish for the filled capsules. Avoid working over a sink or near steam, because damp air can make capsules sticky and hard to close.

Fill the capsule body without packing it

Hold the capsule body upright and scoop or pour powder into it until it is slightly mounded. Level the top with a card or spatula so the powder sits flush with the rim. Do not tamp or press the powder down hard, because overpacking can crack the capsule or prevent the cap from seating. If the powder is clumpy, break up lumps first so the fill is even.

Close the capsule and check the seal

Slide the cap over the filled body and press gently until it stops. You should feel it seat, and the cap should sit straight with no powder caught between the two halves. If powder is trapped at the seam, separate the halves, wipe the rims, and refill. A capsule that does not close fully will leak, so set it aside rather than forcing it.

Store clear gelatin capsules so they stay dry

Keep unused clear gelatin capsules in their original container or a tightly closed dry container, away from heat, sunlight, and moisture. A bathroom cabinet is a poor choice because of shower humidity; a cool, dry shelf is better. For filled capsules, label the container with the contents and date, and keep it out of reach of children and pets. Clear gelatin capsule storage is mostly about blocking moisture, so do not transfer capsules to an open dish.

Step-by-step capsule filling

1. Choose the size: Match the capsule size to your powder volume using Size 000, 00, 0, or 4. Checkpoint: if powder mounds well above the rim after leveling, move up a size.
2. Separate cap and body: Hold the capsule horizontally and twist gently to pull the cap off the body. Mistake to avoid: squeezing the body can dent it and make the cap fit poorly.
3. Fill the body: Scoop or pour powder into the upright body until slightly mounded, then level flush with the rim. Do not tamp the powder down; overpacking can crack the capsule.
4. Close and seat the cap: Slide the cap over the body and press until it stops, keeping the capsule straight. Checkpoint: if it will not seat, empty it, wipe the rims, and refill.
5. Store dry and labeled: Keep filled capsules in a closed, labeled container in a cool, dry place away from humidity. Next step: store unused clear capsules the same way so they stay ready to fill.

Product facts

• Clear Gelatin Capsule: Empty, clear gelatin capsules designed for compounding powdered ingredients, available in Size 000, Size 00, Size 0, and Size 4. The four sizes let you match the capsule to your powder volume instead of overfilling one size.
• Clear Gelatin Capsule: Clear gelatin capsule construction, made in the USA. Clear capsules let you see the fill level, which helps you spot gaps or clumps before closing.