# Small-Package Tabular Nutrition Facts Label

A compact tabular panel that may use FDA’s short names, such as “Sat fat” and “Total carb.”

A compact tabular panel for small packages. You may use it under 12 square inches, or up to 40 square inches when no vertical or tabular panel fits on any label panel.

**URL:** https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/small-package-tabular/
**Provider:** BetterMenu (https://bettermenu.live)
**Rule:** Allowed on small packages that qualify. [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)(1)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(1)), [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. Small-package tabular export is not available yet. Studio gives the per-serving numbers, and your designer sets them in the small-package tabular 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.

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 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”, then: You may use this format.
- 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”, then: You may use this format.
- 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: Send your designer the small-package sample and the spec below. Under 12 sq in with no nutrition claims or information, see Small-package exemption.

## How to measure your package

1. Add up the area of every surface that can carry printing, front, back and sides, in square inches. ([21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(i)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(i)))
2. Under 12 sq in, the small-package tabular 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)))
3. From 12 to 40 sq in, it is allowed only when no vertical or regular tabular panel fits on any side. ([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 stick pack 6 in long and 1.25 in wide, printed front and back, has 2 × 6 × 1.25 = 15 sq in. That is between 12 and 40 sq in. Neither face is tall enough for a vertical panel or a regular tabular panel, so the small-package tabular panel is allowed.

## How it differs from standard vertical

It is a smaller tabular panel. Like any panel on a package of 40 sq in or less, it may use FDA’s short names, such as “Sat fat” and “Total carb.” It needs no full footnote. It may use “% DV = % Daily Value” instead. A package that qualifies for it and holds 200% to 300% of its reference amount needs no per-package column.

1. Short names allowed, like “Sat fat” ([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)))
2. Compact heading block ([21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(1)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(1)))

## FDA sample label

- Tabular display for small packages: printed in [21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(1)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-101.9#p-101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(1)), 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: Wide and short, and smaller than the tabular 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)) |

“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, Tabular display for small packages: https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/fda/er24mr23.013.png

## Common mistakes

- Using it on a 30 sq in package where a regular tabular panel would fit. ([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)))
- Inventing short names. Only FDA’s list may be used, such as “Sat fat” and “Total carb.” ([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)))

## Example: A 1.5 oz bag of trail mix

The bag has about 30 sq in to print on, front and back. Each face is under 2 in tall: no vertical panel fits, and it is too short for a regular tabular panel. The small-package tabular 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))) An invented product, for illustration.

## Related formats

- [Tabular](https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/tabular/)
- [Linear](https://bettermenu.live/tools/label-formats/linear/)
- [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 that have a total surface area available to bear labeling of 40 or less square inches may modify the requirements of paragraphs (c) through (f) and (i) of this section by one or more of the following means:”
> 21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(ii), eCFR as of 2026-02-12

> “When such products bear nutrition labeling, either voluntarily or because nutrition claims or other nutrition information is provided, all required information shall be in type size no smaller than 6 point or all upper-case type of 1/16 inches minimum height, except that individual serving-size packages of food served with meals in restaurants, institutions, and on board passenger carriers, and not intended for sale at retail, may comply with § 101.2(c)(2).”
> 21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(i)(B), 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

> “This provision does not apply to products that meet the requirements to use the tabular format in paragraph (j)(13)(ii)(A)(1) of this section or to products that meet the requirements to use the linear format in paragraph (j)(13)(ii)(A)(2) of this section.”
> 21 CFR 101.9(b)(12)(i)(A), eCFR as of 2026-02-12

## Frequently asked questions

### When can I use the small-package tabular label?

Under 12 square inches for labeling. Or up to 40 square inches, when no vertical or tabular panel fits on any label panel.

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

### Does a small-package label need the footnote?

No. It may use the short statement “% DV = % Daily Value” instead.

Sources: 21 CFR 101.9(j)(13)(i)

### Does a small package need a dual column?

Not if it qualifies for the small-package tabular or linear label: under 12 sq in, or up to 40 sq in when no vertical or tabular panel fits on any side. The 200% to 300% dual column rule does not apply to those products. A package that does not qualify follows the rule.

Sources: 21 CFR 101.9(b)(12)(i)(A)

### What is the minimum font size for a small-package tabular label?

Nutrient rows 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)

## Machine-readable data

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