% Daily Value calculator and IU converter
% Daily Value is the amount per serving divided by the Daily Value, times 100. For example, 45 mg of vitamin C is 50% of the 90 mg Daily Value. Labels now use mcg and mg instead of IU: 1,000 IU of vitamin D is 25 mcg. Daily Values are those for adults and children 4 years and older.
IU and other conversion factors
| Nutrient | From | Multiply by | To get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A | IU, pre-formed vitamin A (retinol) | 0.3 | mcg RAE |
| Vitamin A | IU, supplemental β-carotene | 0.3 | mcg RAE |
| Vitamin A | IU, dietary β-carotene | 0.05 | mcg RAE |
| Vitamin A | IU, dietary α-carotene or β-cryptoxanthin | 0.025 | mcg RAE |
| Vitamin A | mcg retinol | 1 | mcg RAE |
| Vitamin A | mcg supplemental β-carotene | ÷ 2 | mcg RAE |
| Vitamin A | mcg supplemental α-carotene or β-cryptoxanthin | ÷ 4 | mcg RAE |
| Vitamin A | mcg dietary β-carotene | ÷ 12 | mcg RAE |
| Vitamin A | mcg dietary α-carotene or β-cryptoxanthin | ÷ 24 | mcg RAE |
| Vitamin D | IU (vitamin D3, cholecalciferol) | 0.025 | mcg |
| Vitamin E | IU, natural vitamin E (RRR-α-tocopherol) | 0.67 | mg |
| Vitamin E | IU, synthetic vitamin E (all-rac-α-tocopherol) | 0.45 | mg |
| Vitamin E | mg RRR-α-tocopherol (natural) | 1 | mg |
| Vitamin E | mg all-rac-α-tocopherol (synthetic) | ÷ 2 | mg |
| Folate | mcg naturally occurring folate | 1 | mcg DFE |
| Folate | mcg folic acid | 1.7 | mcg DFE |
| Niacin | mg niacin | 1 | mg NE |
| Niacin | mg tryptophan | ÷ 60 | mg NE |
From FDA’s 2019 guidance on converting units of measure. For vitamin A there is no single factor for IU: FDA gives one per source, so use the one that matches your ingredient. For a mixture, convert each source separately and add them.
Daily Values for adults and children 4+
| Nutrient | Daily Value |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 78 g |
| Saturated Fat | 20 g |
| Cholesterol | 300 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 275 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 28 g |
| Added Sugars | 50 g |
| Protein | 50 g |
| Vitamin A | 900 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 90 mg |
| Vitamin D | 20 mcg |
| Vitamin E | 15 mg |
| Vitamin K | 120 mcg |
| Thiamin | 1.2 mg |
| Riboflavin | 1.3 mg |
| Niacin | 16 mg NE |
| Vitamin B6 | 1.7 mg |
| Folate | 400 mcg DFE |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.4 mcg |
| Biotin | 30 mcg |
| Pantothenic Acid | 5 mg |
| Choline | 550 mg |
| Calcium | 1,300 mg |
| Iron | 18 mg |
| Phosphorus | 1,250 mg |
| Iodine | 150 mcg |
| Magnesium | 420 mg |
| Zinc | 11 mg |
| Selenium | 55 mcg |
| Copper | 0.9 mg |
| Manganese | 2.3 mg |
| Chromium | 35 mcg |
| Molybdenum | 45 mcg |
| Chloride | 2,300 mg |
| Sodium | 2,300 mg |
| Potassium | 4,700 mg |
How the label rounds it
On a Supplement Facts label, % Daily Value is rounded to the nearest whole percent. Vitamins and minerals under 2% of their Daily Value are not listed at all. For fat, carbohydrate, fiber, added sugars, cholesterol and sodium, a value that rounds to 0% is shown as “<1%” (21 CFR 101.36(b)(2)). Percentages for total fat, saturated fat, total carbohydrate, dietary fiber and added sugars carry an asterisk pointing to “Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.”
To build the whole panel, use the Supplement Facts label maker.
Common questions
How do you calculate % Daily Value?
Divide the amount per serving by the Daily Value and multiply by 100. On a Supplement Facts label, round the result to the nearest whole percent (21 CFR 101.36(b)(2)(iii)).
How do I convert vitamin D from IU to mcg?
Multiply IU by 0.025 (1 mcg = 40 IU). So 400 IU = 10 mcg, 1,000 IU = 25 mcg, 2,000 IU = 50 mcg and 5,000 IU = 125 mcg.
How do I convert vitamin A from IU to mcg RAE?
It depends on the source. FDA’s factors are: multiply IU by 0.3 for pre-formed vitamin A (retinol), 0.3 for supplemental β-carotene, 0.05 for dietary β-carotene and 0.025 for dietary α-carotene or β-cryptoxanthin. There is no single factor for a mix of sources; convert each one and add them.
How do I convert vitamin E from IU to mg?
Multiply by 0.67 for natural vitamin E (RRR-α-tocopherol) or 0.45 for synthetic vitamin E (all-rac-α-tocopherol). For example, 30 IU of synthetic vitamin E is 13.5 mg of α-tocopherol.
What is mcg DFE?
Dietary Folate Equivalents, the unit for folate on labels. Folic acid counts 1.7× naturally occurring folate, so 400 mcg of folic acid is 680 mcg DFE, or 170% of the Daily Value.
Why isn’t my nutrient listed on the label?
Vitamins and minerals under 2% of their Daily Value count as zero, and ingredients that count as zero are not declared on a Supplement Facts panel (21 CFR 101.36(b)(2)(i)).
Why isn’t protein in the calculator?
On a supplement label, the % Daily Value for protein must use the amount corrected for protein quality (PDCAAS), which depends on your protein source (21 CFR 101.36(b)(2)(iii)). The label maker lets you enter it.