Linear Nutrition Facts Label
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.
On the package
- About 7 sq in
- To print on
- Under 1 in
- A strip, no tabular panel fits
- One line
- The facts run as text
Why this format
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.
§ 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)An invented product, for illustration.
The label, part by part
Hover or tap a part.Tap a part.
Nutrition Facts Servings: 12, Serv size: 1 mint (2g), Amount per serving: Calories 10, Total Fat 0g (0% DV), Sat fat 0g (0% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 0mg (0% DV), Total Carb. 2g (1% DV), Fiber 0g (0% DV), Total Sugars 2g (Incl. 2g Added Sugars, 4% DV), Protein 0g, Vit. D 0mcg (0% DV), Calcium 0mg (0% DV), Iron 0mg (0% DV), Potas. 0mg (0% DV).
Starts the lineShort namesOne running line
No footnote. A small-package tabular or linear panel does not need one.
A roll of twelve mints. Invented values, rounded the FDA way.
FDA’s sample
Whole panel
Rules for the panel as a whole: space and bold type.
One or a few lines of text. The least space of any panel.
- Every required item may be as small as 6 pt, or all capitals 1/16 in tall
Under 12 sq in
Every required item may be as small as 6 pt, or all capitals 1/16 in tall
Rule text § 101.9(j)(13)(i)(B)
- Such as “Serv size”, “Servings”, “Sat fat”, “Cholest”, “Total carb.”, “Fiber”, “Vit.”, “Potas.”, “Incl.”
Short names
Such as “Serv size”, “Servings”, “Sat fat”, “Cholest”, “Total carb.”, “Fiber”, “Vit.”, “Potas.”, “Incl.”
Rule text § 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)
- Footnote Not required. “% DV = % Daily Value” may stand in
In words
One or a few lines of text. The least space of any panel.
Heading
The title at the top of the panel.
Starts the line § 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2) From FDA’s sample
- 9 pt Standard vertical: 10 pt
- 9 pt, bold Standard vertical: 10 pt, bold
Calories
The calories in one serving.
- 10 pt and 14 pt, both bold
Nutrients
Fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate and protein, with the %DV where there is one.
One running line § 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2) From FDA’s sample
- 8 pt
- Indents None. The facts run as one string
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium, plus any others you list.
- 8 pt
Footnote
The note at the bottom that says what %DV means.
Not on this label.
?
Rule text
From FDA’s sample
BetterMenu’s choice
Do I need this?
These pages are for conventional foods and drinks, not dietary supplements or medical foods.
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. Open Studio
In detail
How to measure your package
- 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. § 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)
- Try a small-package tabular panel on every side first. § 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)
- Only when no tabular panel fits on any side, the linear panel is allowed. § 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.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong: Choosing linear when a small-package tabular panel fits.
Right: Use the tabular panel when it fits.
§ 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A) -
Wrong: Leaving out a required nutrient to shorten the line.
Right: Keep every required item.
§ 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)
Rule text and sources
“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.”
“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.”
- The rule: FDA, 21 CFR 101.9, eCFR as of 2026-02-12
- FDA sample label, Linear display: 88 FR 17710
- The same facts as data: Linear as JSON
- Paragraphs cited on this page § 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)§ 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(2)§ 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)§ 101.9(j)(13)(i)§ 101.9(j)(13)(ii)§ 101.9(d)(1)(iii)§ 101.9(d)(3)(i)§ 101.9(j)(13)(i)(B)§ 101.9(b)(12)(i)(A)§ 101.9(b)(11)
Related formats
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.
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”.
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.
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.
Every label format, and which one you need
For information only. Check the sources before printing a label.