FDA Font Size Rules for Nutrition Labels

The Nutrition Facts panel's look is not a design choice — type sizes, bolding, and the rules between lines are specified in 21 CFR 101.9(d). Here are the numbers that matter.

The key minimum sizes

Element	Minimum size
"Calories" numeric value	22 pt, bold
"Calories" text line	16 pt, bold
"Nutrition Facts" heading	No fixed size — but no smaller than any other text except the calories numeral, set full label width
"Serving size" / "servings per container"	10 pt (serving size bold)
Nutrient rows (Total Fat, Sodium, …)	8 pt, with 4 pt leading
"% Daily Value*", footnote, "Amount per serving"	6 pt

Section separators are drawn with bars and hairline rules between nutrient lines. The exact bar thicknesses you see in FDA's examples come from Appendix B to Part 101, which the FDA "strongly recommends" — the numeric thicknesses are a graphic recommendation rather than a codified mandate, but following the standard look is the safe path.

Small packages relax the rules

• Packages with ≤40 sq in of labeling space may use tabular or linear formats with reduced sizes (e.g., calories numeral at 14 pt) and official abbreviations ("Serv size", "Sat fat", "Cholest").
• Packages under 12 sq in that must carry a label may print everything at 6 pt (or 1/16-inch uppercase).

See our tabular-vs-vertical guide for when each format is allowed.

Why you shouldn't hand-build this

These sizes interlock with the format rules. Labelara provides vertical and tabular templates, but the template does not certify your product or final printed package. Check the selected format, physical print size, and legibility against the applicable requirements. Scaling a PDF or image to fit a sticker changes the printed text size too.