CBD Oil Strength Guide: 500mg vs 1000mg vs 2000mg (mg per Drop Explained)
What strength CBD oil should I buy?
Divide the milligrams by the millilitres: 500 mg in 30 ml is about 17 mg per ml (1.7%), 1000 mg is 33 mg per ml (3.3%), 2000 mg is 67 mg per ml (6.7%) and 6000 mg in 60 ml is 100 mg per ml (10%). A dropper holds roughly 1 ml and a drop about 0.05 ml, so the FSA’s 10 mg a day guideline is about 12 drops of a 500 mg oil but only two drops of a 6000 mg one.
“Strength” on a CBD oil label is a total, not a concentration. A 1000 mg bottle can be a 30 ml oil or a 60 ml oil, and the amount in each drop is different. This guide converts the common sizes to milligrams per millilitre and per drop, shows what the Food Standards Agency’s 10 mg-a-day advice looks like for each strength, and explains what CBG and CBN blends add. It is a companion to what to check before buying CBD.
Strength conversion table
| Label | mg per ml | Percentage | mg per drop (about 0.05 ml) | Drops for 10 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 mg / 30 ml | 16.7 | 1.7% | 0.8 | 12 |
| 1000 mg / 30 ml | 33.3 | 3.3% | 1.7 | 6 |
| 2000 mg / 30 ml | 66.7 | 6.7% | 3.3 | 3 |
| 4000 mg / 60 ml | 66.7 | 6.7% | 3.3 | 3 |
| 6000 mg / 60 ml | 100 | 10% | 5 | 2 |
Notice that 2000 mg in 30 ml and 4000 mg in 60 ml are the same concentration – the larger bottle simply lasts twice as long. Percentages are useful because they are independent of bottle size.
Which strength for which purpose?
- 500 mg (1.7%): the easiest to measure small amounts with, because each drop is under 1 mg. Sensible if you are new to CBD or want to stay well inside the FSA guideline.
- 1000 mg (3.3%): the common middle ground – 10 mg is a quarter of a dropper.
- 2000 mg and 4000 mg (6.7%): fewer drops per serving and cheaper per milligram; less forgiving if you count carelessly.
- 6000 mg (10%): two drops equal the daily guideline. Buy this for economy once you know your amount, not as a starting point.
CBD + CBG and CBD + CBN blends
Two of the CBDfx ranges we list are blends rather than plain CBD. The Wellness 2:1 tincture pairs CBD with CBG at a 2:1 ratio and adds terpenes, curcumin and coenzyme Q10 (available in 500 mg, 1000 mg, 2000 mg, 4000 mg and 6000 mg). The Calming tincture pairs CBD with CBN – the brand states 150 mg of CBN in the 500 mg bottle and 300 mg in the 4000 mg / 60 ml size. When you compare prices, remember the headline number on a blend may describe the CBD only or the combined cannabinoids; the label and the COA will tell you which.
How to read the bottle
- Carrier oil: MCT (coconut-derived) is the most common and has a neutral taste; hemp seed and olive oil are alternatives.
- Extract type: isolate (CBD only), broad spectrum (THC removed) or full spectrum (trace THC). For the UK exempt-product rules, the whole bottle must contain no more than 1 mg of THC or other controlled cannabinoids.
- Batch and COA: a batch number lets you match the bottle to a Certificate of Analysis. Cannabinoid content on our listings is as declared by the brand and a COA can be requested before you order – see how to read a COA.
- Novel food status: CBD oils sold as food in England and Wales should be linked to a validated FSA novel-food application; the FSA publishes a list you can check.
Price per milligram
From our current CBDfx listings: 500 mg at around £20 is about 4p per mg; 1000 mg at £34 is 3.4p; 2000 mg at £48 is 2.4p; 4000 mg at £61 is 1.5p; 6000 mg at £71 is 1.2p. The step from 500 mg to 2000 mg cuts the cost per milligram by roughly 40%, which is why regular users move up in strength even when their daily amount stays the same.
Using CBD oil sensibly
- The FSA advises healthy adults to keep CBD from food to about 10 mg a day and does not recommend CBD for under-18s, people on medication, or anyone pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive. Speak to a pharmacist or GP if any of those apply.
- Hold the oil under the tongue for 30-60 seconds before swallowing; shake the bottle; store it upright, cool and out of direct light.
- Count drops once with a clean pipette so your own per-drop figure is known – pipettes vary.
Quick answers
Is 1000 mg CBD oil strong?
It is a 3.3% oil – the common middle strength. One drop is about 1.7 mg, so 10 mg is six drops or a quarter of a full dropper.
How many drops of 500 mg CBD oil is 10 mg?
About 12 drops (0.6 ml), assuming 20 drops per millilitre.
What does 5% CBD oil mean?
50 mg of CBD per millilitre – roughly 2.5 mg per drop, so the FSA’s 10 mg guideline is about four drops.
Is a bigger bottle better value?
Usually: 6000 mg in 60 ml costs around a third as much per milligram as 500 mg in 30 ml on our listings. Only buy large once you know the product suits you.
Does CBD oil contain THC?
Isolate and broad-spectrum oils should not; full-spectrum oils contain trace amounts. In the UK the whole container must stay under 1 mg of THC to be an exempt product – check the COA.
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This article is for informational purposes only, for adults (18+). Cannabis laws differ by country – always follow the rules where you are and use responsibly.
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Adults 18+ only. This article is general information, not medical advice. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a health condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take medication, speak to a qualified healthcare professional before using any cannabinoid product.
