insulin syringe needle sizes chart

Size chart for common insulin syringes

Needle length	Needle gauge	Barrel size
3/16 inch (5 mm)	28	0.3 mL
5/16 inch (8 mm)	29, 30	0.5 mL
1/2 inch (12.7 mm)	31	1.0 mL

Jun 12 2022

Full Answer

What size insulin syringe should you buy?

If your insulin dose is below 30 units at a time, choosing a 30-unit syringe is appropriate. In case, your insulin dose lies between 31 and 50 units at a time, you can purchase the 50-unit syringe. Patients who are taking insulin dose that varies from 51 to 100 units, should purchase 100-unit syringe.

What do the measurements on an insulin needle mean?

When it comes to choosing the perfect size of syringe, you have to keep in mind the following:

• The number of insulin units you need.
• The visibility of line markings on the barrel. ...
• For children with diabetes, the ideal insulin syringe is 0.25 ml or 0.33 ml as such patients need only a small dose of insulin.
• Adults with diabetes usually need a large amount of insulin. ...

What size gauge is an insulin needle?

They are typically available in sizes ranging from 4 millimeters (mm) to 12.7 mm. The gauge of a needle refers to its thickness. Thinner needles may be more comfortable, while thicker needles may administer insulin quicker. The higher the gauge, the thinner the needle. They are typically available in sizes ranging from 28–31.

How is the insulin measured on the syringe?

The plunger sits inside of the barrel and slides up and down, allowing you to draw the insulin in and push it out. How to Read Measurements on Insulin Syringes. Insulin syringes come in many sizes. The following details how many units of insulin each syringe size holds: ¼ mL or 0.25 mL = 25 units; 1/3 mL or 0.33 mL = 30 units; ½ mL or 0.50 mL = 50 units

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What are the 3 different sizes of syringes for insulin?

Insulin syringes are available by prescription in 3 sizes: 0.3 ml, 0.5 ml and 1 ml. Choose a syringe size based on the dose (units) of insulin you require. It is easier and more accurate to measure smaller doses with a smaller volume syringe.

What is the standard insulin needle size?

The standard needle is 1/2-inch long. Needles also come in 5/16-inch and 3/16-inch lengths. The 3/16-inch length is often used for children. The thinner the needle, the higher its gauge.

Which is bigger 31G or 32G needles?

In conclusion, 32G needles were significantly smoother and less painful to insert, caused bleeding and bruising less frequently, and patients showed significantly higher preference to 32G than 31G....Pain Reduction of Insulin Injection Using NovoFine 32G 6mm Needle.ItemsBruising32G9/2231G1/22even12/22p value0.0214 more columns

How do I know what size syringe needle to use?

The length of a needle is listed after the gauge number. For example, 25G ½ refers to a 25 gauge, ½ inch-long needle. Longer needles (½ inch or longer) are commonly used for intramuscular injections, while shorter (shorter than ½ inch) needles are more often used for intravenous injections.

Which is smaller 31G or 32G?

Needle gauge (G) The higher the gauge, the thinner the needle. For example, 32G is thinner than a 31G needle.

What is the smallest needle for insulin?

Needle Sizes4 mm. The smallest, thinnest needle is the nano 4 mm, 32 gauge needle, which is about as thin as two strands of hair. ... 6 mm. The 6 mm mini needle usually comes in a gauge of 31 or 32, making it as thin as the 4 mm option. ... 8 mm. ... 10 mm to 12 mm.

Which is smaller 31 gauge or 30 gauge?

A 27-gauge needle, a 30- gauge needle, and a 31-gauge needle have diameters of 0.41 mm, 0.31 mm, and 0.26 mm, respectively (Figure 1b).

What is bigger 31 gauge or 29 gauge?

The higher the gauge, the smaller the diameter. For example, a 30 gauge needle has a narrower lumen than a 25 gauge needle. Different companies use different measurements for gauges, so it is important to specify inner diameter.

What are 31 gauge needles used for?

The 31-gauge needles have become standard practice for patients with diabetes mellitus for daily blood glucose monitoring and insulin injection. ...

What is the most commonly used needle size?

21 Gauge Needles 21g needles are the most common gauge of needles used for routine blood draws and venipuncture. The gauge is small enough in which it does not cause any significant pain or discomfort during use. For most patients, their veins are of a size and stability that is best suited for the 21g needle.

Which is bigger 18 or 22 gauge needle?

IV needles are sized by gauges, and the smaller the gauge number, the bigger the needle will be. In this article and video, I'll discuss the three most common IV gauge needles you'll encounter as a nurse: 18 gauge, 20 gauge, and 22 gauge.

What gauge is an insulin needle?

Over the past 25 years, needle size has evolved from a 16-mm (length), 27-gauge (thickness) needle in 1985, to a 4- mm, 32-gauge needle in 2010.

What are the parts of an insulin syringe?

Parts of an Insulin Syringe An insulin syringe has three parts: a needle, a barrel and a plunger. The needle is short and thin. It is made of a special material that allows the needle to slide through the skin easily with less pain. It comes with a cap to cover and protect it before it is used.

What is the most common type of syringe?

A very common type of syringe is the U-100 insulin syringe and needle used commonly for diabetic medications. It is for one time use only, and is thus, a very low cost syringe with needle combination. Below are images depicting the anatomy of a syringe and the anatomy of a needle.

What is the purpose of a syringe for insulin?

Insulin Syringes Used In Gestational Diabetes. An insulin syringe has four parts: a cap, a needle, a barrel, and a plunger. The needle is short and thin and covered with a fine layer of silicone to allow it to pass through the skin easily. A cap covers and protects the needle before it is used.

What is the most common way to inject diabetes medicine?

Millions of Americans are living with it. And of those, about 15% use medicine that’s injected. Vials and syringes used to be the most common way to inject. But today, many injectable diabetes medicines come in prescription pens, also called prefilled pens. Here, we will focus on the needles that are used with those pens. Choosing a pen needle Today's pen needles are designed to fit most prefilled pens. But, there are other things to consider when choosing a pen needle. Talk with your health care provider; together you can decide which needle works best for you. To learn more about Novo Nordisk’s line of needles and to find the pen needle that’s right for you, click here. Today’s needles are shorter and thinner People who have never self-injected may have concerns about doing so and that’s understandable. But pen needles have come a long way from the ones first launched in 1985. Since then, injection comfort has driven needle technology, making the needles used today shorter and thinner than the ones used in the past. Understanding needle size Pen needles come in all different sizes. The size of a needle is indicated by 2 factors—length and gauge (G): Needle length is measured in millimeters. Lengths range anywhere from 12.7 mm to 4 mm, the shortest insulin pen needle currently available Understanding gauge can be a little tricky. The gauge of a needle refers to its thickness. You would think the higher the number, the thicker the needle, but it’s actually the opposite. The higher the number, the thinner the needle is. For example, a 32G needle is thinner than a 27G needle Always use a new needle for each injection You run the risk of infection from reusing needles. The more you reuse a needle, t Continue reading >>

How long is a pen needle?

Pen needles are available in the following lengths12.7mm, 8mm, 5mm, and 4mm. Adult skin thickness ranges from 1.25 – 3.25 mm in length regardless of age, race or weight. This means that for most people, a needle can be as short as 4mm to deliver insulin to the right place. Longer needles are not needed.

Why is the pen needle important?

The needle length is important because a needle that is too long will deliver insulin into the muscle instead of the fat layer where it should be. This means that the pen needle should be long enough to cross through the skin but short enough not to hit the muscle.

What are the sizes of insulin syringes?

The number lines in an insulin syringe, measured in milliliters (mL), stand for the following: 0.3 mL syringes are for insulin doses under 30 units of insulin and are numbered at 1-unit intervals.

Why are insulin syringes disposable?

Insulin syringes are disposable and meant for one-time use. This helps make sure the needles are sterile to avoid the risk of infections from used needles.

What determines the thickness of the needle?

The size of the barrel determines how much insulin a syringe holds, and the needle gauge determines the needle thickness. Thinner needles may be more comfortable to inject for some people.

Why do you need to go up the size of a syringe?

Syringes also allow more flexibility if doses need to be adjusted daily based on your blood sugar levels. If your dose is close to the maximum capacity of the syringe, you may want to go up a size to avoid problems handling the syringe.

How is insulin given?

Insulin can be given in different ways: syringe, pen, pump. Your doctor will help you decide which type is best for you depending on your insulin dose, comfort level, and cost factors.

How many people with diabetes need insulin?

In type 2 diabetes, the body can’t use insulin efficiently or make enough. Nearly 7.4 million people with diabetes in the United States need to take insulin to manage their blood sugars. Insulin can be given in different ways: syringe, pen, pump.

Do you need multiple insulin syringes?

You may need multiple syringes if you give different doses per day.

What is the needle size of a BD syringe?

Needle size refers to both the length and gauge (thickness) of the needle. Needle Length BD syringes are available with short needles (6mm or 8mm). BD Pen Needles are available in 1/8" (4mm), 5/16" (8mm) and 3/16" (5mm) lengths. The pain that insulin users may feel when they inject depends on their insulin dose, where they inject, the amount of fatty tissue under their skin, and other factors. Some insulin users prefer short needles because they find them to be more comfortable. However, some people find that the longer, original needle length is more comfortable for them. Needle Gauge (thickness) The word 'gauge' rhymes with 'cage' and tells how thick a needle is. Depending on the needle length you choose, you might also have a choice of gauge. The higher the gauge, the thinner the needle. For example, a 31 gauge needle is thinner than a 29 gauge needle. BD syringes are available in 31 gauge (BD Ultra-Fine™) and 30 gauge (BD Ultra-Fine™ II). BD pen needles are available in 32 gauge (BD Ultra-Fine™ Nano™ ) and 31 gauge (BD Ultra-Fine™ III). Choosing a Syringe Needle Gauge Some people prefer 30 or 31 gauge needles because they're thinner. If you'd like to try a 31 gauge syringe needle, talk to your doctor, because the use of a shorter needle may change your blood sugar control. Continue reading >>

What is the best insulin syringe for diabetics?

Source: BD Diabetes Healthcare BD is the leading brand of insulin syringes. It is the brand most recommended by health care professionals. BD insulin syringes are available in a variety of sizes so that you can choose the right BD insulin syringe size for your patient. Needle gauge-the higher the number, the thinner the needle. Does your patient prefer to have the thinnest needle available or a thicker one that is less flexible? BD insulin syringe needles are available in three gauges: Needle length-BD insulin syringes are available with 2 different length needles: the standard ½" length (12.7mm) and the short 5/16" length (8mm) which is 37% shorter. The psychological benefits of a short needle may make the transition to insulin easier for some patients. Short needles are appropriate for approximately 82% of patients with diabetes; not just children or lean adults. Note: a patient's blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored and evaluated after changing to a shorter needle Maximum Dose- BD Ultra-Fine II, BD Ultra-fine and BD Micro-fine needle syringes are all available in three dose capacities: To make it easier to measure an accurate dose, choose the smallest syringe that will hold the largest dose your patient takes. The BD insulin syringe product line BD Ultra-fine™ II Short Syringe Needle Catalog # NDC # 1cc (100 unit) 328418 08290328418 1/2cc (50 unit) 328468 08290328468 3/10cc (30 unit) 328438 08290328438 BD Ultra-Fine™ Original Syringe Needle Catalog # NDC # 1cc (100 unit) 328411 08290328411 1/2cc (50 unit) 328466 08290328466 3/10cc (30 unit) 328431 08290328431 BD Micro-Fine™ IV Syringe Needle Catalog # NDC # 1cc (100 unit) 328410 08290328410 1/2cc (50 unit) 328465 08290328465 3/10cc (30 unit) 328430 08290328430 BD products can not be purchased direc Continue reading >>

Can cats use insulin pen?

Many human insulin types now come in pen form and this trend is becoming more popular when it comes to insulin for diabetic cats. The problem with using the pens is they only allow for half or full units of insulin to be dosed, where with TR we typically give insulin in much smaller, fractional increments. If your vet is planning to prescribe pen form insulin to you, we recommend you ask for a prescription for refill cartridges and syringes with half unit markings to match the insulin instead. If you've already got insulin in pen form, it is possible to use syringes to access the insulin inside. If after reviewing this sticky, you have any questions about which insulin syringes to use, please post on Talking TR for assistance. The top photo is a U40 syringe which come with red caps and needles covers, and are also available with red unit marks. U40 syringes are made to hold 20.0u of U40 insulin or less, and are difficult to find with half unit marks. Your vet will tell you U40 insulin must be used with U40 syringes however, it is possible to use U40 insulin with U100 syringes. The important thing is to get syringes with half unit markings. We recommend using the syringe in the bottom of the photo which is a 3/10cc (ml) 100 syringe, for use with 30.0 units or less of U100 insulin. They have orange caps and needle covers. U100 syringes come with both full and half unit marks. Syringes with half unit marks make measuring the small increments given on TR much easier and more accurate. If from Europe, the description is 3/10ml, for 30 units or less, demi (descriptor for half unit markings). The cc and ml unit of measurement is the same. U100 syringes can be utilized with U40 insulin by using the conversion chart. Half unit marks make for much easier measuring of half and qua Continue reading >>

How many units are in a syringe?

Most syringes come in measures of 30-units or 0.3 milliliters (ml), 50 units (0.5 ml), and 100 units (1 ml). These measures refer to the barrel size and how much insulin the syringe can hold. The barrels feature markings at 1- or 2-unit intervals to help people measure their dose.

How do syringes deliver insulin?

Syringes deliver insulin through a needle and are available in different sizes to suit different doses, comfort levels, and costs.

What is the gauge of a needle?

The gauge of a needle refers to its thickness. Thinner needles may be more comfortable, while thicker needles may administer insulin quicker. The higher the gauge, the thinner the needle. They are typically available in sizes ranging from 28–31.

How many different ways can you administer insulin?

There are currently four main ways people can administer insulin: syringes, pens, pumps, and inhalers. How a person takes insulin can vary depending on their lifestyle, sugar levels, and what they eat.

What is the purpose of insulin?

Insulin is a hormone that helps to regulate blood sugar. If a person is unable to produce or respond to insulin, they may develop diabetes. In these cases, people can manually administer insulin through different methods, such as syringes, which are available in different sizes.

How long is a fat needle?

They are typically available in sizes ranging from 4 millimeters (mm) to 12.7 mm.

Which is easier to use, thicker needles or thinner needles?

People may also prefer thinner needles, as they are typically easier to use than thicker needles. A 2015 study notes that thinner needles are usually less painful and easier to insert.

How to choose a syringe?

When choosing a syringe, you have to consider the size. Make sure the size of the syringe matches the volume of the drugs to be given as well as the desired pressure flow . If you are going to give large volumes of drugs, then you would need a large syringe. The same thing goes for low-pressure flow.

How many units does a 0.40 ml syringe hold?

An insulin syringe varies in sizes from 0.25 ml to 1.0 ml. The syringe size indicates the number of units it can hold. So a 0.40 ml can hold 40 units of insulin.

What are the different types of syringes?

At a glance, syringes look the same but they are not. There are different varieties of syringes, although, most of them are disposable. If you buy a syringe, it either comes with or without a needle attached to it.

How long is a deltoid needle?

Toddler – 1 to 2 years’ old. The needle length ranges between 1 and 1 ¼ inch and gauges 22 to 25 injected to the anterolateral thigh muscle. For the deltoid muscle route, the ideal gauge ranges between 22 and 25 with a needle length of 5/8 to 1 inch. (4, 9, and 10) Children – 3 to 18 years-old.

What is a luer lock syringe tip?

Syringe Tips – There are many types of syringe tips and these are the following: Luer Lock Tip – When it comes to syringe tip, one of the common options is the Luer Lock Tip. It secures the needle in place by twisting it on.

How long should a needle be for anterolateral thigh injection?

Infants – 1 to 12 months. The injection is introduced to the anterolateral thigh muscle with a needle gauge ranging from 22 to 25 and a needle length of 1 inch.

What is a slip tip?

Slip tip – The needle is placed onto a slip tip syringe without having the need to twist it. A catheter slip tip is used with medical tubings such as feeding tubes and catheters.

What size needles are available for BD Nano?

BD Nano 4mm and BD Mini 5mm only available in pen needles.

What does it mean when a needle gauge is higher?

The higher the gauge, the thinner the needle.

What is the gauge size of a syringe?

These needles are very thin, with a gauge size ranging from 29 to 31. There's a small chance that a longer needle such as the 10mm or 12mm size may negatively impact thinner patients who have less subcutaneous fatty tissue to get ...

How big is a pen needle?

Needle Sizes. Insulin pen needles range from 4mm to 12mm in length and 29 to 32 gauge in diameter. The lower the number of millimeters, the shorter the needle, while the higher the gauge, the thinner the needle. On average, human skin is 1.6 mm to 2.5 mm thick, so a 4mm needle will easily breach the skin layer. 5 .

How to reduce pain from insulin injection?

To prevent or lessen pain discomfort while using an insulin pen, regardless of needle size, you can: 1 . Let insulin come to room temperature. Cold insulin can sting—remove it from the fridge 15 minutes before injecting.

Why do you need to use a new needle for each injection?

Always use a new needle for each injection, as repeated use of the same needle increases the risk of infection and may cause the needle to weaken. A weak needle may bend or break during injection or become dull, leading to bruising or bleeding. It's also important to properly dispose of used needles in a specially marked sharps container for medical waste.

How to stop insulin injections from hurting?

Move the injection site by one inch with each dose to prevent soreness, irritation, or formation of a painful lump. Press, don't rub. If an injection hurts painful, apply pressure to the site for a few seconds, but do not rub it: This could increase insulin absorption and put you at risk of hypoglycemia.

How to get insulin to dry?

Allow the alcohol to dry. If you use alcohol to clean and prepare your injection site, allow it to dry before injecting your insulin. Try not to tense up. Before injecting, take deep abdominal breaths and mentally work to relax the muscles at the site where you'll be injecting. Don't jabs.

What is the smallest needle?

The smallest, thinnest needle is the nano 4mm, 32 gauge needle, which is about as thin as two strands of hair. The risk of injecting into muscle tissue is very rare when using this needle, which should not require pinching the skin while injecting (done to pull the fatty tissue away from the muscle for a more accurate injection).

Why is it important to choose the right size needle and syringe?

Choosing the right size needle and syringe is necessary to get the correct dose of medicine, inject it properly, and minimize pain. 1  To make it easier, these items are sold separately and designed to attach securely. Your doctor or a nurse will show you how to administer your injections at home, including which syringes and needles to use.

How are syringes labeled?

Syringes are labeled based on how much liquid they can hold. There are two ways to measure them.

How long should a needle be for intramuscular injection?

5 Muscle is deeper than skin, so the needle used for these shots must be thicker and longer. Needles with a gauge of 20 or 22 G and a length of 1 or 1.5 inches are usually best.

What to do if you have questions about needle size?

If you have questions, reach out to the healthcare provider who prescribed the medication. Knowing the basics of needle size labeling will help you avoid making errors when you're giving the shot and replacing your supplies.

What do you see on a syringe?

Syringes can hold liquids or solids. You'll see milliliters (mL) marked on the tube for measuring liquids . You'll see cubic centimeters (cc) for measuring solids. Try to choose a syringe that holds the exact dose you need.

How many cc is in a syringe?

If you use a syringe that contains only 2 cc, you would have to inject yourself more than once (which would be unnecessarily painful). On the other hand, if you use a syringe that holds 15 cc, it will be harder to see the cc markings and measure 3 cc accurately.

Which needle is better for injections?

For larger amounts of medicine, a wider needle with a lower gauge is often a better choice. While it might hurt more, a wide, low-gauge needle will deliver the injection faster than a thin, high-gauge needle. 5 .