Standard Vertical Nutrition Facts Label
The default panel for most packaged foods. Use it unless another format applies to your product.
On the package
- 5 in
- Back of the pouch
- About 3 in
- Panel height. It fits.
- Ages 4 and up
- Who the food is for
Why this format
A 16 oz bag of granola. The bag is far over 40 sq in, with a back panel 5 in tall. The food is for everyone 4 and older and the bag holds many servings. The standard vertical panel is the default.
§ 101.9(d)(1)An invented product, for illustration.
The label, part by part
Hover or tap a part.Tap a part.
Nutrition Facts
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
A 16 oz bag of granola. Invented values, rounded the FDA way.
FDA’s sample
Whole panel
Rules for the panel as a whole: space and bold type.
Tall and narrow. It needs about 3 in of unbroken height for the panel.
“Nutrition Facts”, “Serving size”, “Amount per serving”, “% Daily Value*”, the names of nutrients that are not indented and the %DV figures. The calorie number and the serving size line are bold too. Servings per container is not.
Total Sugars 12g
Total Sugars 12g
In words
Tall and narrow. It needs about 3 in of unbroken height for the panel.
Bold. “Nutrition Facts”, “Serving size”, “Amount per serving”, “% Daily Value*”, the names of nutrients that are not indented and the %DV figures. The calorie number and the serving size line are bold too. Servings per container is not. § 101.9(d)(1)(iv)§ 101.9(d)(1)(iii)§ 101.9(d)(3)(ii)
Heading
The title at the top of the panel.
- “Nutrition Facts” heading No smaller than any other type, except the calorie number
“Nutrition Facts” heading
No smaller than any other type, except the calorie number
Rule text § 101.9(d)(2)
Serving
How many servings the package holds, and how big one is.
- 10 pt
- 10 pt, bold
- About 7 pt
Calories
The calories in one serving.
- 16 pt, bold
- 22 pt, bold
- 6 pt
- About 3.25 pt
Nutrients
Fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate and protein, with the %DV where there is one.
- 8 pt
- 6 pt
- Line between rows A hairline rule
- 0.25 pt
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium, plus any others you list.
- 8 pt
- Line between rows A hairline rule
- 0.25 pt
Footnote
The note at the bottom that says what %DV means.
- 6 pt
?
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.
In detail
Common mistakes
-
Wrong: Bolding a word the rule does not list, such as “Total Sugars”.
Right: Bold only the headings, main nutrient names and %DV figures.
§ 101.9(d)(1)(iv) -
Wrong: Setting nutrient rows under 8 pt to make the panel fit.
Right: Keep rows at 8 pt or larger, or pick a smaller format.
§ 101.9(d)(1)(iii) -
Wrong: Keeping one column on a package sold individually that holds 200% to 300% of the reference amount.
Right: Use a dual column, unless an exemption applies.
§ 101.9(b)(12)(i)
Rule text and sources
“Nutrient information specified in paragraph (c) of this section shall be presented on foods in the following format, as shown in paragraph (d)(12) of this section, except on foods where the tabular display is permitted as provided for in paragraph (d)(11) of this section, on which dual columns of nutrition information are declared as provided for in paragraph (e) of this section, on those food products on which the simplified format is required to be used as provided for in paragraph (f) of this section, on foods for infants through 12 months of age and children 1 through 3 years of age as provided for in paragraph (j)(5) of this section, and on foods in small or intermediate-sized packages as provided for in paragraph (j)(13) of this section.”
- The rule: FDA, 21 CFR 101.9, eCFR as of 2026-02-12
- FDA sample label, Standard vertical: 81 FR 33742
- The same facts as data: Standard vertical as JSON
- Paragraphs cited on this page § 101.9(d)(1)§ 101.9(d)(12)§ 101.9(d)(8)§ 101.9(j)(13)(ii)(B)§ 101.9(j)(13)(ii)§ 101.9(c)(2)(i)§ 101.9(c)(2)(ii)§ 101.9(d)(1)(iii)§ 101.9(d)(3)(i)§ 101.9(d)(3)(ii)
Other formats change these parts
- Tabular Moves them left. Parts 1, 2, 3.
- Dual column Adds a second column. Parts 3, 4, 5.
- Simplified Lists fewer nutrients. Part 4.
- Side by side Puts vitamins on two lines. Part 5.
- Infants through 12 months Has no footnote. Part 6.
- Bilingual Adds a second language. Parts 1, 4.
- Aggregate A column pair per food. Parts 1, 3, 4.
Questions
When do I use the standard vertical Nutrition Facts label?
Use it unless another format applies. Other formats cover small packages, short panels, a package sold individually that holds 200% to 300% of the reference amount, foods for infants, young children or pregnant women, and variety packs.
Can the vitamins and minerals sit side by side?
Yes. You may list vitamin D and calcium on one line and iron and potassium on the next. That is the side-by-side display.
Can I shorten nutrient names on a standard vertical panel?
From FDA’s abbreviation list, only “Vit.” and “Potas.” on a package over 40 sq in, and only on the side-by-side display. A package of 40 sq in or less may use every short name on that list, whatever its display. Any panel may print “Saturated fat” as “Saturated” and “Trans fat” as “Trans”.
What is the minimum font size for a standard vertical label?
Nutrient rows 8 pt, “Calories” 16 pt and its number 22 pt, servings per container and serving size 10 pt, and the headings and footnote 6 pt.
Can BetterMenu make a standard vertical label?
Yes. BetterMenu Studio works out the per-serving and per-package numbers from your recipe and exports the standard vertical panel.
Every label format, and which one you need
For information only. Check the sources before printing a label.