# Linear Nutrition Facts Label

The nutrition facts in one running line of text.

The nutrition facts in one running line of text. Under 12 sq in, or up to 40 sq in when no vertical or tabular panel fits on any side, and only when no tabular panel fits.

**URL:** https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/linear/
**Provider:** BetterMenu (https://bettermenu.live)
**Rule:** Allowed on small packages when no tabular panel fits. [21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)), [21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)), [21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B))
**Source:** FDA 21 CFR 101.9, eCFR as of 2026-02-12
**In BetterMenu Studio:** Studio works out the per-serving and per-package numbers from your recipe today. It exports the standard vertical panel. Linear export is not available yet. Studio gives the per-serving numbers, and your designer sets them in the linear layout.

These pages are for conventional foods and drinks, not dietary supplements or medical foods.

## Do I need this?

Allowed if the package has under 12 sq in to print on, or up to 40 sq in when no vertical or tabular panel fits on any side, and only if no tabular panel fits.

The page asks one question at a time, only while the answer can still change the result:

- How much of the package can carry printing? (Under 12 sq in / 12 to 40 sq in / Over 40 sq in) Add up every side you can print on, in square inches. See “How to measure”.
- Does it make nutrition claims or show nutrition information anywhere? (Yes / No) Including the website or ads.
- Who is the food made for? (Everyone 4 and older / Infants through 12 months / Children 1 through 3 / Infants and children 1 through 3 / Pregnant or lactating women)
- Do you promote it for a use of twice or more, or half or less, its reference amount? (Yes / Yes, but it is a bulk ingredient such as flour, a multipurpose food such as butter, or a multipurpose baking mix / No) For example, cream substitute promoted for cereal. Half or less is BetterMenu’s reading of the rule’s “twofold or greater”.
- Does a vertical panel fit on any side? (Yes / No) Its shape or size, on any label panel. If not, a tabular panel may fit.
- How tall is the tallest open space for the panel? (Under about 3 in / About 3 in or more) One unbroken space, measured top to bottom.
- Does a regular tabular panel fit on any side? (Yes / No) If not, the small-package tabular or linear label is allowed.

Decision rules, from the same logic as the page:

- If printable area is “Under 12 sq in” and nutrition claims is “Yes” and who it is for is “Everyone 4 and older” or “Pregnant or lactating women” and promoted use is “Yes”, then: Not this format. Use Small-package tabular. A promoted use still needs a column for that use. Our reading keeps a linear label to one set of values.
- If printable area is “Under 12 sq in” and who it is for is “Everyone 4 and older” or “Infants through 12 months” or “Children 1 through 3” or “Pregnant or lactating women” and promoted use is “Yes, but it is a bulk ingredient such as flour, a multipurpose food such as butter, or a multipurpose baking mix” or “No”, then: You may use this format. Only if a tabular label will not fit.
- If printable area is “Under 12 sq in” and who it is for is “Infants through 12 months” or “Children 1 through 3” and promoted use is “Yes”, then: Not this format. Use Small-package tabular. A promoted use still needs a column for that use. Our reading keeps a linear label to one set of values.
- If printable area is “Under 12 sq in” and who it is for is “Infants and children 1 through 3”, then: Not this format. Use Small-package tabular. Our reading: two %DV columns do not fit a linear label. FDA shows no sample of one.
- If printable area is “Under 12 sq in” and nutrition claims is “No” and who it is for is “Everyone 4 and older” or “Pregnant or lactating women” and promoted use is “Yes”, then: Not this format. Use Small-package exemption. A promoted use still needs a column for that use. Our reading keeps a linear label to one set of values.
- If printable area is “12 to 40 sq in” and vertical fit is “Yes” and panel height is “Under about 3 in”, then: Not this format. Use Tabular.
- If printable area is “12 to 40 sq in” and vertical fit is “Yes” and panel height is “About 3 in or more”, then: Not this format. Use Standard vertical.
- If printable area is “12 to 40 sq in” and vertical fit is “No” and tabular fit is “Yes”, then: Not this format. Use Tabular.
- If printable area is “12 to 40 sq in” and vertical fit is “No” and tabular fit is “No” and who it is for is “Everyone 4 and older” or “Infants through 12 months” or “Children 1 through 3” or “Pregnant or lactating women” and promoted use is “Yes”, then: Not this format. Use Small-package tabular. A promoted use still needs a column for that use. Our reading keeps a linear label to one set of values.
- If printable area is “12 to 40 sq in” and vertical fit is “No” and tabular fit is “No” and who it is for is “Everyone 4 and older” or “Infants through 12 months” or “Children 1 through 3” or “Pregnant or lactating women” and promoted use is “Yes, but it is a bulk ingredient such as flour, a multipurpose food such as butter, or a multipurpose baking mix” or “No”, then: You may use this format. Only if a tabular label will not fit.
- If printable area is “12 to 40 sq in” and vertical fit is “No” and tabular fit is “No” and who it is for is “Infants and children 1 through 3”, then: Not this format. Use Small-package tabular. Our reading: two %DV columns do not fit a linear label. FDA shows no sample of one.
- If printable area is “Over 40 sq in” and panel height is “Under about 3 in”, then: Not this format. Use Tabular.
- If printable area is “Over 40 sq in” and panel height is “About 3 in or more”, then: Not this format. Use Standard vertical.

Next steps once it applies: Try a small-package tabular panel first. Send your designer the linear sample and the spec below.

## How to measure your package

1. Add up the area of every surface that can carry printing, in square inches. Under 12 sq in, or 12 to 40 sq in when no vertical or tabular panel fits on any side, the small-package formats are allowed. ([21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)))
2. Try a small-package tabular panel on every side first. ([21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)))
3. Only when no tabular panel fits on any side, the linear panel is allowed. ([21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)))

Example: A roll of mints 3 in long and 0.75 in across has a wrapper about 3 × 2.4 = 7 sq in, in a strip under 1 in tall. A tabular panel will not fit in that strip, so the linear panel is allowed.

## How it differs from standard vertical

The whole panel is one string of text, with no rows or columns. It may use the same short names as the small-package tabular label.

1. “Nutrition Facts” starts the line ([21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)))
2. One running line of text ([21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)))

## FDA sample label

- Linear display: printed in [21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)), published at 88 FR 17710 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/03/24/2023-05418/food-labeling-infant-formula-requirements-food-additives-and-generally-recognized-as-safe-substances). The values on FDA's sample are illustrative.

## For your designer

Space: One or a few lines of text. The least space of any panel.

| Part | Value | Source | Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nutrient rows | 8 pt or larger | Rule text | [21 CFR 101.9(d)(1)(iii)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(d)(1)(iii)) |
| “Calories” and its number | 10 pt and 14 pt or larger, both bold | Rule text | [21 CFR 101.9(d)(1)(iii)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(d)(1)(iii)) |
| Servings per container | 9 pt or larger | Rule text | [21 CFR 101.9(d)(3)(i)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(d)(3)(i)) |
| Serving size line | 9 pt or larger, bold | Rule text | [21 CFR 101.9(d)(3)(ii)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(d)(3)(ii)) |
| Under 12 sq in | Every required item may be as small as 6 pt, or all capitals 1/16 in tall | Rule text | [21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(i)(B)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(i)(B)) |
| Short names | Such as “Serv size”, “Servings”, “Sat fat”, “Cholest”, “Total carb.”, “Fiber”, “Vit.”, “Potas.”, “Incl.” | Rule text | [21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)) |
| Footnote | Not required. “% DV = % Daily Value” may stand in | Rule text | [21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(i)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(i)) |
| Indents | None. The facts run as one string | From FDA’s sample | [21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)) |

“From FDA’s sample” means the value was measured from FDA’s sample label, not stated in the rule text. “BetterMenu’s choice” is our own value where the rule text is silent.

- Download FDA’s sample label, Linear display: https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/fda/er24mr23.014.png

## Common mistakes

- Choosing linear when a small-package tabular panel fits. Tabular comes first. ([21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)))
- Leaving out a required nutrient to shorten the line. Every required item stays. ([21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)))

## Example: A roll of twelve mints 3 in long

The roll has about 7 sq in to print on, in a strip under 1 in tall. A tabular panel will not fit, so the linear panel is allowed. Under 12 sq in and with no nutrition claims or other nutrition information, it could also skip the panel and print a contact line. ([21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A))) An invented product, for illustration.

## Related formats

- [Small-package tabular](https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/small-package-tabular/)
- [Tabular](https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/tabular/)
- [Small-package exemption](https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/small-package-exemption/)

## Rule text

> “Presenting the required nutrition information in a tabular or, as provided below, linear (i.e., string) fashion rather than in vertical columns if the product has a total surface area available to bear labeling of less than 12 square inches, or if the product has a total surface area available to bear labeling of 40 or less square inches and the package shape or size cannot accommodate a standard vertical column or tabular display on any label panel. Nutrition information may be given in a linear fashion only if the label will not accommodate a tabular display.”
> 21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A), eCFR as of 2026-02-12

> “Foods in packages subject to requirements of paragraphs (j)(13)(ii)(A)(1) and (2) of this section do not require the information in paragraphs (d)(9) and (f)(5) related to the footnote, however the abbreviated footnote statement “% DV = % Daily Value” may be used.”
> 21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(i), eCFR as of 2026-02-12

## Frequently asked questions

### Is a linear label ever required?

No. It is allowed, never required. Under 12 sq in, or up to 40 sq in when no vertical or tabular panel fits on any side, and only when no tabular panel fits.

Sources: 21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii), 21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)

### Can a linear label use short names?

Yes. Any panel on a package of 40 sq in or less may use FDA’s short names, such as “Sat fat”.

Sources: 21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)

### What is the minimum font size for a linear label?

Nutrient names 8 pt, “Calories” 10 pt and its number 14 pt, and the serving lines 9 pt. Under 12 sq in, every required item may be as small as 6 pt.

Sources: 21 CFR 101.9(d)(1)(iii), 21 CFR 101.9(d)(3)(i), 21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(i)(B)

### Can a linear label have two columns?

FDA shows no sample of one, and a package that qualifies needs no per-package column. A promoted use still needs a column for that use, and in our reading that rules linear out. Our reading is to keep a linear label to one set of values.

Sources: 21 CFR 101.9(b)(12)(i)(A), 21 CFR 101.9(b)(11), 21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)

## Machine-readable data

This page as JSON: https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/linear/data.json
Every format: https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/data.json