New to supplements? Start here.

You don’t need to know all the terminology. Pick a guide below, or start with the label basics on this page.

Supplement ShortlistContent checked

Look up an ingredient

Read about creatine, protein and more.

Read a supplement label

Make sense of servings and ingredient amounts.

Browse products

See the product differences and where to buy them.

How much is one serving?

One serving can be several gummies or capsules. The Supplement Facts panel tells you how many, along with the ingredient amount in that serving.

A quick label example

60 gummies ÷ 3 per serving = 20 servings

This is an example of reading a label, not advice on how much to take. The manufacturer’s serving size is not a personal dose recommendation.

Sources: FDA: Supplement questions

Read the other ingredients

The front of the bottle won’t tell you everything. Check the full label for:

  • The amount of each ingredient in a full serving.
  • Gelatin, flavors and sweeteners in the Other Ingredients list.
  • Proprietary blends that list a combined amount without each ingredient’s share.

Sources: FDA: Supplement questions

What does % Daily Value mean?

Percent Daily Value compares the amount in one serving with the daily amount used for labeling. A higher percentage doesn’t mean a better product.

Some ingredients have no established Daily Value. A missing percentage doesn’t tell you whether you need the ingredient or whether it works. Ask the manufacturer about any label detail that’s unclear.

What to ask before taking a supplement

Sources: FDA: Daily Value · FDA: Label guidance

Read next

Sources

  1. FDA: Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements (opens in a new tab)
  2. FDA: Daily Value on Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels (opens in a new tab)
  3. FDA: Dietary Supplement Nutrition Labeling (opens in a new tab)