Loose Bulk Density Calculator

The loose bulk density of a powder is important to calculate when producing capsules. As empty capsules have fixed uniform sizes you will need to know the loose bulk density of a powder to be able to determine if you need to add excipients or tamp the powder to be able to get you desired capsule weight. You will be able to choose your capsule sizes depending on your bulk density. This will then allow you to choose the tooling your require in your capsule filler or capsule filling machine.

To calculate the loose bulk density of the powder you will need a measuring jug/vessel/glassware that you know the exact size of and enough powder to fill it.

Take your measuring jug and place it on the scales make sure to tare the scales so that they say zero.
Fill the measuring jug to the top with powder. Make sure not to tap down or disturb the powder as you are pouring it into the jug.
Record the weight of the powder in the jug.
Divide the weight of the powder by the volume of the jug in mL.

Below is a video on how to calculate the loose bulk density of a powder:

Below we have built a calculator to help you do this.

Loose Bulk Density g/mL -

Loose Bulk Density mg/mL -

Below are the capsule weights you would get if you were simply to put your powder into a capsule without tamping the powder down (compacting it).

000 -

00E -

00 -

0E -

0 -

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If you need to achieve higher weight than is shown above then you can do this in one of two ways. The first is to granulate your product to make it more dense using a roller compactor. If you do this you will then need to recalculate the new bulk density. The second method is to use a capsule filler with a tamping tool to compact the powders. LFA Capsule fillers sells two of these the ProCap and the FACF.