How to read a supplement facts label

Every dietary supplement sold in the US carries a Supplement Facts panel. Once you know how it's laid out, you can compare any two products in under a minute. Here's how to read one, using the Shape Burner capsule label as the example.

1. Start with the serving size

The first two lines tell you how much one serving is and how many servings are in the container. On our capsules, a serving is 2 capsules and there are 30 servings, so a 60-capsule bottle lasts 30 days at the labeled serving. Every amount below those lines is per serving, not per capsule.

2. Read the amounts and % Daily Value

Each row lists an ingredient, how much is in one serving, and, where one exists, the % Daily Value (%DV). The %DV shows how much of the recommended daily amount that serving supplies. Our capsule label lists sodium at 68 mg (2.83% DV), calcium at 20 mg (2.00%), potassium at 26 mg (0.72%) and magnesium at 12 mg (2.90%).

3. Understand blends

Many supplements group several ingredients into a named blend and list the blend's total weight. Our capsules list a 700 mg ketogenic blend: sodium, calcium and magnesium beta-hydroxybutyrate, MCT oil, AAKG and 7-keto DHEA. Ingredients in a blend are listed from most to least by weight, but the individual amounts aren't shown.

4. Check the symbols

A dagger (†) or asterisk (*) next to an amount usually means "Daily Value not established," because no official daily amount exists for that ingredient. The footnote at the bottom of the panel tells you which symbol means what.

5. Don't skip "Other ingredients"

Below the panel you'll find the ingredients that make the product work as a capsule or gummy: fillers, flow agents, sweeteners, flavors and colors. This is also where allergen information appears. Our gummies, for example, list coconut and note that they're free of gluten, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.

6. Read the directions and warnings

The directions tell you the intended serving, and the warnings tell you who should check with a healthcare provider first. Ours say not to exceed the recommended serving and to consult your provider if you're pregnant or nursing, under 18, or have a medical condition.

Try it yourself

Both of our full labels are on the homepage in the "Read the label" section, with a switch between capsules and gummies.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.