Linear Nutrition Facts Label for Small Packages

Tiny tins and packets cannot always fit a stacked panel. Use linear (or tabular) for space — not a shrunken vertical label.

September 16, 20266 min readNutrition Facts Label Maker

Small tins, spice jars, and packets with little room for a stacked Nutrition Facts panel

A linear Nutrition Facts label is the run-in, paragraph-style panel the FDA allows on small or intermediate-sized packages that do not have room for the familiar vertical strip. Nutrients still appear in the required order; they sit in sentences instead of a tall stacked table.

What a linear label is

Think of a candy bar wrapper, a small spice tin, or a single-serve condiment. The vertical “Nutrition Facts” block would cover the art. Linear display keeps calories, fat, sodium, carbohydrate, and the rest, but flows them as text. It is still a Nutrition Facts label — not a marketing callout.

When to use linear vs tabular

Linear: very little vertical space; a wrapping or narrow panel. Open Linear Display.
Tabular (small package): a short, wide grid when a table fits better than a paragraph. See Tabular Display for small packages.
Standard Vertical: default when the back of a jar, pouch, or box can fit the full stack. Standard Vertical maker.

FDA rules tie these alternate formats to available label space (and sometimes to the area of the principal display panel). “It looks nicer linear” is not the test — “the vertical format will not fit” is.

Package size, not font tricks

Shrinking a Standard Vertical until it is unreadable is not a substitute for linear or tabular. If you are unsure, measure the package face you will actually print on, then pick the format that matches that space. This tool lets you drag panel width in the preview so you can see overflow before you buy a PDF.

Make a linear label here

Use Linear Display for small or intermediate-sized packages. Enter the same core nutrients as a vertical label. Preview is free; PDF is paid. For the overall process see how to make a Nutrition Facts label.

Open the linear label maker

FAQ

Can I use linear on a large box to look “minimal”?

No. Alternate formats exist because of limited space, not style.

Do I still list added sugars?

Yes. The 2016 nutrient list still applies; the presentation is linear.

Confirm small-package format eligibility against current FDA labeling rules for your package dimensions.

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Keep reading

More Nutrition Facts labeling guides.

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How to Make a Nutrition Facts Label

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When You Need a Dual-Column Nutrition Facts Label

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Standard Vertical vs Simplified Nutrition Label

Most foods belong on Standard Vertical. Simplified is a narrower exemption, not a shortcut for cottage food or small packages.

Explore every label format

Ready to build your label? Pick an FDA-compliant format below.

Vertical Display

Standard Vertical

The most common Nutrition Facts label format, used on the majority of packaged foods.

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Simplified Display

For foods that contain insignificant amounts of 8 or more of the mandatory nutrients.

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Vertical Display with Micronutrients Listed Side-by-Side

Standard vertical label with the vitamins & minerals section arranged in two columns to save vertical space.

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Infants through 12 Months of Age

Nutrition Facts label format for foods intended for infants through 12 months of age.

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Children 1-3 Years

Nutrition Facts label format for foods intended specifically for children 1 through 3 years old.

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English/Spanish Bilingual Nutrition Facts Label

Standard vertical label with every field shown in both English and Spanish.

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Dual Column Display, Per Serving and Per Container

Required for certain multi-serving containers that could reasonably be consumed in one sitting. Lists values per serving and per container.

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Dual Columns, Two Forms of the Same Food

Used when a food is sold in one form but typically prepared differently, e.g. 'As Packaged' and 'As Prepared'.

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Aggregate Display

For variety packs or assortments, listing nutrition information for each different food side by side on one label.

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Linear Display

Linear Display for Small or Intermediate-Sized Packages

A condensed, run-in paragraph format for packages with very little available label space.

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Tabular Display

Tabular Display for Small or Intermediate-Sized Packages

A grid/table layout used for small or intermediate-sized packages that do not have room for the standard vertical format.

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Tabular Format

The general tabular Nutrition Facts layout, arranging nutrients in a table rather than a vertical strip.

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Tabular Dual Column Display

Tabular layout with two data columns, for per serving and per container (or two food forms).

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