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Net quantity font size in Canada: minimum number heights

CFIA's minimum height for net quantity numbers runs from 1.6 mm to 12.7 mm, set by the principal display surface. Table, jar math and label size examples.

Short answer

  • Net quantity numerals on Canadian consumer packages must be bold, with a minimum height set by the principal display surface area.
  • Up to 32 cm2: 1.6 mm; up to 258 cm2: 3.2 mm; up to 645 cm2: 6.4 mm; then 9.5 mm and 12.7 mm.
  • The display surface belongs to the package, not the sticker. A round jar with no distinct face uses 40% of its side area.
  • Units such as g or mL need at least 1.6 mm, measured on a lowercase o, with one space between number and unit.
  • General information, not legal advice; confirm with CFIA's Industry Labelling Tool.
In this guide (8 sections)
  1. CFIA's minimum height table for net quantity numerals
  2. What counts as the principal display surface?
  3. Worked example: a round jar
  4. Worked example: flat packages and common label sizes
  5. Turning millimeters into a font size
  6. How to write the quantity itself
  7. Who is exempt?
  8. What to check before you act

On a Canadian consumer food package, the numbers in the net quantity must be bold and at least 1.6 mm, 3.2 mm, 6.4 mm, 9.5 mm or 12.7 mm tall, depending on the area of the principal display surface. Most small jars and pouches land in the 1.6 mm or 3.2 mm bands. The units next to the numbers need at least 1.6 mm.

This is general information, not legal advice. The figures come from CFIA's net quantity page (modified February 13, 2026, checked October 23, 2026). For your package, confirm in CFIA's Industry Labelling Tool.

CFIA's minimum height table for net quantity numerals

Principal display surface (cm2) (in2) Minimum numeral height (mm) (in)
32 or less 5 or less 1.6 1/16
More than 32, up to 258 More than 5, up to 40 3.2 1/8
More than 258, up to 645 More than 40, up to 100 6.4 1/4
More than 645, up to 2,580 More than 100, up to 400 9.5 3/8
More than 2,580 More than 400 12.7 1/2

Other type rules on the same page:

  • All net quantity information must be at least 1.6 mm high, measured on a lowercase "o".
  • The numerals must be bold.
  • The declaration must be on the principal display panel, in distinct contrast to other label information.
  • Prepackaged fresh fruit and vegetables need bold numerals of at least 1.6 mm.

What counts as the principal display surface?

This is where most small makers go wrong. The principal display surface (PDS) belongs to the package, not to your sticker. CFIA describes how to work it out:

Package shape PDS per CFIA
Has a flat or obvious display face Total area of that face, excluding the top
Displayed by its lid Total area of the top surface of the lid
Bag with equal faces Area of one face
Bag with unequal faces Area of one of the largest faces
No distinct display surface (for example a round jar or bottle) 40% of the total surface area excluding top and bottom, if that 40% can be displayed
No surface suitable for a label Area of one side of an attached tag

So a 2" round sticker on a large jar does not let you use the 1.6 mm band. You size the numbers for the jar.

Worked example: a round jar

A round jar with no distinct face uses the 40% rule. The side of a cylinder has an area of pi times diameter times height. The jar dimensions below are invented for illustration; measure your own.

Jar (illustrative) Side area 40% = PDS Minimum numeral height
Small jar, 4.5 cm wide, 4 cm side height 56.5 cm2 22.6 cm2 1.6 mm
Jelly jar, 6 cm wide, 5.5 cm side height 103.7 cm2 41.5 cm2 3.2 mm
250 mL jar, 6.5 cm wide, 8 cm side height 163.4 cm2 65.3 cm2 3.2 mm
Tall bottle, 7 cm wide, 20 cm side height 439.8 cm2 175.9 cm2 3.2 mm

Two things stand out. Even modest jars cross 32 cm2 quickly, so 3.2 mm is the common answer for preserves. And a tall bottle can stay in the 3.2 mm band because the 258 cm2 line is higher than many expect. Our suggestion: measure the straight side where a label could sit, leave out the lid and any curved shoulder or base, and check the result against CFIA's wording or ask CFIA if your shape is unusual.

Worked example: flat packages and common label sizes

For a box face or a bag face, the PDS is just width times height of that face. As a reference, here are the areas of common Avery label sizes (dimensions from Avery's template pages; areas are our arithmetic, 1 in2 = 6.4516 cm2). These help only when the label face matches the display face, for example a flat tin lid or a box panel the same size as the label.

Label Size Area Band if PDS equals this area
Avery 22805 1-1/2" square 14.5 cm2 1.6 mm
Avery 22807 2" round 20.3 cm2 1.6 mm
Avery 22806 2" square 25.8 cm2 1.6 mm
Avery 5294 2-1/2" round 31.7 cm2 1.6 mm (just under 32)
Avery 5163 2" x 4" 51.6 cm2 3.2 mm
Avery 5164 3-1/3" x 4" 86.0 cm2 3.2 mm
Avery 5168 3-1/2" x 5" 112.9 cm2 3.2 mm
Avery 5126 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" 301.6 cm2 6.4 mm

For template details see square and round product labels and Avery shipping label sizes.

Turning millimeters into a font size

CFIA measures the printed height of the numerals, not the point size in your design software. A point is 0.3528 mm, but digits in most fonts are shorter than the full point size, often around two-thirds to three-quarters of it depending on the typeface. As a rough starting point only:

Required numeral height Rough point size to try
1.6 mm about 6 to 7 pt
3.2 mm about 12 to 14 pt
6.4 mm about 24 to 28 pt

Round up rather than down. Then print a proof at 100% scale and measure a digit with a ruler. Fonts vary, and "fit to page" printing can shrink everything.

How to write the quantity itself

CFIA's net quantity page also sets the format:

  • Metric units on consumer prepackaged foods: g or kg for solids, mL or L for liquids, or a count for some foods.
  • Accepted symbols are g, kg, mL (or ml), and L (or l). They are case-sensitive, take no period after them, and "G" is not acceptable for grams.
  • Put a single space between number and unit: "500 g", not "500g".
  • Round to three figures; below 100, two figures are acceptable. CFIA's examples: 453.59 becomes 454, and 85.6 becomes 86.
  • No fractions such as 1/2 in metric; use 0.5 kg or "one-half kg".
  • Words like "net" or "net weight" are optional.
  • Qualifiers such as "approximately" or "average weight" are treated as false and misleading.
  • Canadian units may be added after metric and grouped with it. U.S. units other than fluid ounces must be marked "U.S."

Symbols like g and mL count as bilingual. If you write the unit out as a word, it must appear in both languages, for example "gram" and "gramme". See bilingual food labels in Canada.

Who is exempt?

CFIA lists several exemptions from net quantity, including some fresh produce sold in unsealed transparent bags or confining bands, individual restaurant portions, and outer packages of fewer than seven identical, fully labeled products. Foods packed from bulk at retail and declared in Canadian units, and individually measured foods, are exempt from the type size rules. Check the full list on CFIA's page.

For everything else that must sit on the front panel, see the Canadian food label checklist.

What to check before you act

  • Work out the PDS from the package, not the sticker, using CFIA's method for your shape.
  • Set numerals in bold and measure a printed proof with a ruler.
  • Keep units at least 1.6 mm, measured on a lowercase "o".
  • Use a space between number and unit, and drop qualifiers like "approx."
  • Confirm in CFIA's Industry Labelling Tool; this page is not legal advice.

Questions people ask

What font size is required for net quantity in Canada?

CFIA sets a minimum height for the numerals rather than a point size. It ranges from 1.6 mm for display surfaces up to 32 cm2 to 12.7 mm for surfaces over 2,580 cm2, and the numerals must be bold.

How do I measure the principal display surface of a jar?

If the jar has no distinct face, CFIA says to use 40% of the total surface area excluding top and bottom, if that much can be displayed. For a cylinder that is 40% of pi times diameter times height of the side.

Do I use the size of my label or the size of the package?

CFIA's rules refer to the principal display surface of the container, so start from the package. A small sticker on a large jar does not lower the required height.

Can I show ounces as well as grams on a Canadian label?

Yes. CFIA says Canadian units are permitted in addition to metric, with metric first and both grouped together. U.S. units other than fluid ounces must be identified as U.S.

Is 250ml written correctly?

CFIA asks for a single space between the number and the unit, so 250 mL or 250 ml. Accepted symbols are case-sensitive, and G is not acceptable for grams.

General information only, not legal or regulatory advice. Template details and rules change; confirm on the maker's or regulator's own page before you print a large run. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Sources

  1. Net quantity (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)checked October 23, 2026
  2. Food labelling requirements checklist (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)checked October 23, 2026
  3. Industry Labelling Tool (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)checked October 23, 2026
  4. Avery 22807 template (Avery)checked October 23, 2026

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