Net weight on packaging: rules and placement in the US, UK and EU

Net weight, or net quantity, is one of the few things required on almost every consumer package in almost every market. It is also one of the most common reasons packaging fails a retailer or regulator check: wrong units, wrong position, or type that is too small. This guide explains the main rules in the United States, the UK and the EU, with tables you can use while designing.

It is a practical summary, not legal advice. Exact rules depend on your product type, and some categories such as alcohol, medicines and tobacco have their own requirements. Check the official sources linked below and confirm details with your adviser.

What "net quantity" means

Net quantity is the amount of product in the package, excluding the packaging itself. Depending on the product, it is stated as:

• weight (grams, kilograms, ounces, pounds) for solids, semi-solids and viscous products
• volume (millilitres, litres, fluid ounces) for liquids
• count for products sold by number, such as capsules or tea bags, sometimes with weight or size as well
• length or area for products such as tape, film or paper towels

The right measure is usually the one that is customary for the product. Honey is normally sold by weight, oil by volume, vitamins by count.

United States: the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act

In the US, most consumer commodities are covered by the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA). The Federal Trade Commission's rules in 16 CFR Part 500 cover most non-food consumer products, while the FDA's rule in 21 CFR 101.105 covers food. Many states also adopt NIST Handbook 130, which sets uniform rules for packaging and labelling.

Where it goes

For packages covered by the FPLA, the net quantity statement goes on the principal display panel, the part of the package most likely to be seen by the customer at the point of sale. It is generally placed:

• in the bottom 30% of the principal display panel
• in lines generally parallel to the base of the package as it is designed to be displayed

Some small packages and certain product types have exceptions, so check the rule for your category.

Which units

The FPLA requires both metric and US customary units for most consumer commodities. For example, "Net Wt 12 oz (340 g)" or "Net 16 fl oz (473 mL)". Either unit can come first. The statement must be accurate, and rounding rules apply.

How big

Minimum type height is based on the area of the principal display panel. The height is measured on the lowercase or uppercase letter, depending on the rule, and the statement must be in bold-face type and stand out from other text.

| Area of principal display panel | Minimum height of numbers and letters | |---|---| | 5 sq in or less | 1/16 inch (about 1.6 mm) | | More than 5, up to 25 sq in | 1/8 inch (about 3.2 mm) | | More than 25, up to 100 sq in | 3/16 inch (about 4.8 mm) | | More than 100, up to 400 sq in | 1/4 inch (about 6.4 mm) | | More than 400 sq in | 1/2 inch (about 12.7 mm) |

The area of the principal display panel is calculated differently for rectangular boxes, cylinders and other shapes, as described in the regulations. For cylinders, it is usually 40% of the height multiplied by the circumference.

European Union

In the EU, net quantity rules come from several places. For food, the Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 makes net quantity mandatory and sets out how it must be shown. For prepackaged products in general, Directive 76/211/EEC sets the average quantity system and the ℮ mark. Member states implement and enforce these rules.

Units and position

Net quantity must be in metric units: grams or kilograms for weight, millilitres or litres for volume. For food, it must appear in the same field of vision as the name of the food and, for drinks, the alcoholic strength. The EU does not set a "bottom 30%" rule like the US.

Minimum height

For prepackaged products under the average quantity system, minimum figure heights depend on the nominal quantity:

| Nominal quantity | Minimum height of figures | |---|---| | 50 g or ml or less | 2 mm | | More than 50, up to 200 g or ml | 3 mm | | More than 200 g or ml, up to 1 kg or litre | 4 mm | | More than 1 kg or litre | 6 mm |

The ℮ mark

The ℮ mark (a small lowercase "e") placed next to the quantity shows that the pack was filled under the average quantity system. It is optional, but it allows the product to move freely across EU markets under that system. The ℮ mark must be at least 3 mm high and placed in the same field of vision as the nominal quantity.

United Kingdom

The UK's rules on packaged goods are based on the same EU system. The Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 cover the average quantity system, and the ℮ mark is still recognised. GOV.UK's guidance on packaged goods explains the rules, which in practice use the same minimum heights as the EU table above.

For food, the retained Food Information to Consumers rules require net quantity in metric units, in the same field of vision as the name of the food.

Selling in more than one market

If you sell the same product in the US and the UK or EU, you have to satisfy both sets of rules on one label, or use separate labels. A common approach is a dual-unit statement such as "340 g (12 oz)", placed in the bottom 30% of the front panel and in the same field of vision as the product name. Check the minimum heights for both markets and use the larger one.

Watch out for:

• The ℮ mark in the US. It has no meaning in the US and is not required, but it is generally not a problem to include it if you also sell in the EU or UK.
• Fluid ounces. US and UK fluid ounces are different sizes. If you show fluid ounces for a US product, use US fluid ounces.
• Rounding. Converting between units can create figures that do not round cleanly. Follow the rounding rules for each market.

Designing net quantity well

Net quantity is often the last thing added to the front panel, and it shows. A few principles help:

1. Plan the position early. Reserve space in the lower part of the front panel from the first concept.
2. Use the real panel size. Calculate the principal display panel area from the dieline and pick the minimum height from the right table.
3. Measure the figure height, not the font size. Different typefaces have different proportions. Measure the printed height of the numbers.
4. Keep it clear of clutter. Do not overlap the statement with patterns or images that reduce contrast.
5. Proof at 100%. Print the panel at actual size and check that the statement is easy to find and read.

Common net quantity mistakes

• Metric only on US packs, or US units only, when both are required.
• Statement at the top of the front panel instead of the bottom 30% in the US.
• Type too small because the panel area was estimated rather than measured.
• "Net Wt" on liquids, or volume used for products customarily sold by weight.
• Including the packaging weight, or the weight of liquid in which solid food is packed where the rules require drained weight.
• The ℮ mark too small or placed away from the quantity.

How we help

We design packaging for food, cosmetics and consumer products and make boxes in our own factory. We position the net quantity you supply on the right panel at the right size for your markets and check it at actual size on the dieline. We do not determine the declared quantity or test fill levels, and final regulatory review stays with you.

See our food packaging design and box packaging design services, or get a free quote for your packaging.

Official sources

• 16 CFR Part 500: FTC regulations under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (eCFR)
• 21 CFR 101.105: Net quantity of contents for food (eCFR)
• NIST Handbook 130: Uniform Laws and Regulations
• GOV.UK: Weights and measures, packaged goods
• EUR-Lex: Directive 76/211/EEC (prepackaged products, ℮ mark)
• EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers

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Questions

Where does net weight go on US packaging?

On the principal display panel, generally in the bottom 30% of the panel and parallel to the base, for consumer commodities covered by the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.

Do I need both metric and US units?

For most consumer commodities sold in the US, yes: the FPLA requires both metric and US customary units.

What is the ℮ mark?

A mark used in the EU and UK to show the pack was filled under the average quantity system. It is optional but widely used, and has a minimum height of 3 mm.

How big must the net quantity text be in the EU?

It depends on the quantity: from 2 mm for 50 g or ml and below, up to 6 mm above 1 kg or litre.