Syringe Sizes Chart
Syringes are sized by how much they hold (1 mL = 1 cc). Smaller barrels have finer markings, so small volumes are easier to measure accurately on them.
| Barrel | Capacity | Typical smallest mark |
|---|---|---|
| 0.3 mL (insulin, U-100) | 30 units | 1 or ½ unit (0.01 / 0.005 mL) |
| 0.5 mL (insulin, U-100) | 50 units | 1 unit (0.01 mL) |
| 1 mL (insulin, U-100) | 100 units | 2 units (0.02 mL) |
| 1 mL (tuberculin) | 1 mL | 0.01 mL |
| 3 mL | 3 mL | 0.1 mL |
| 5 mL | 5 mL | 0.2 mL |
| 10 mL | 10 mL | 0.2 mL |
| 20 mL | 20 mL | 1 mL |
| 30 mL | 30 mL | 1 mL |
| 60 mL | 60 mL | 1 mL |
Typical values; graduation increments vary by manufacturer.
Reading accuracy and barrel size
- A volume is easiest to read when it fills a good part of the barrel — 0.2 mL reads more precisely on a 1 mL syringe than on a 10 mL one.
- Insulin syringes are marked in units: 1 unit = 0.01 mL on U-100. See how to read insulin syringe units.
- Needle thickness is a separate measurement — see the needle gauge chart.
FAQ
What are the common syringe sizes?
0.3, 0.5 and 1 mL (insulin and tuberculin), then 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 mL. Because 1 mL = 1 cc, a 3 mL syringe is also a 3 cc syringe.
What is the difference between an insulin syringe and a tuberculin syringe?
Both can hold 1 mL. Insulin syringes are marked in units (100 units = 1 mL on U-100) and usually have a fixed needle; tuberculin syringes are marked in mL, typically every 0.01 mL.
What size insulin syringe holds 50 units?
A 0.5 mL U-100 syringe holds up to 50 units; a 1 mL syringe holds 100; a 0.3 mL syringe holds 30.
Are the markings the same on every brand?
No. The chart shows typical increments; always read the scale printed on the syringe in your hand.
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