Small-Package Tabular Nutrition Facts Label
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.
On the package
- 30 sq in
- To print on, 40 or less
- Under 2 in
- Every side, too short for regular tabular
- Short names
- Such as Sat fat and Cholest
Why this format
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.
§ 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
1 serving per container
Serv size
1 bag (42g)
Calories
per serving210
Vit. D 0mcg 0% • Calcium 30mg 2% • Iron 1.3mg 8% • Potas. 250mg 6%
No footnote. A small-package tabular or linear panel does not need one.
Scroll the label sideways.
A 1.5 oz bag of trail mix. Invented values, rounded the FDA way.
FDA’s sample
Whole panel
Rules for the panel as a whole: space and bold type.
Wide and short, and smaller than the tabular 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
Wide and short, and smaller than the tabular panel.
Heading
The title at the top of the panel.
- 9 pt Standard vertical: 10 pt
- 9 pt, bold Standard vertical: 10 pt, bold
- 10 pt and 14 pt, both bold
Nutrients
Fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate and protein, with the %DV where there is one.
Short names allowed § 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)
- 8 pt
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium, plus any others you list.
Short names here too § 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)
- 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. 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. Open Studio
In detail
How to measure your package
- Add up the area of every surface that can carry printing, front, back and sides, in square inches. § 101.9(j)(13)(i)
- Under 12 sq in, the small-package tabular panel is allowed. § 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)
- From 12 to 40 sq in, it is allowed only when no vertical or regular tabular panel fits on any side. § 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.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong: Using it on a 30 sq in package where a regular tabular panel would fit.
Right: Use the regular tabular panel when it fits.
§ 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A) -
Wrong: Inventing short names.
Right: Use only FDA’s list, such as “Sat fat”.
§ 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)
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 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:”
“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).”
“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.”
“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.”
- The rule: FDA, 21 CFR 101.9, eCFR as of 2026-02-12
- FDA sample label, Tabular display for small packages: 88 FR 17710
- The same facts as data: Small-package tabular as JSON
- Paragraphs cited on this page § 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)§ 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(A)(1)§ 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)§ 101.9(j)(13)(ii)§ 101.9(j)(13)(i)(B)§ 101.9(j)(13)(i)§ 101.9(b)(12)(i)(A)§ 101.9(d)(1)(iii)§ 101.9(d)(3)(i)
Related formats
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.
Does a small-package label need the footnote?
No. It may use the short statement “% DV = % Daily Value” instead.
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.
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.
Every label format, and which one you need
For information only. Check the sources before printing a label.