Creatine monohydrate guide
Creatine powder vs capsules: cost per 5 g and pill count
Creatine capsules usually hold 750 mg or 1,000 mg each, so 5 g takes five to seven pills. How to compare them with powder per 5 g, and when they are worth it.
Creatine monohydrate is one of the most studied sports supplements, and the usual daily dose is 3 to 5 g. Powder and capsules can contain exactly the same creatine monohydrate. What differs is how much you pay for each gram, and how many pills you swallow to get there.
How many creatine capsules equal 5 g?
It depends on the capsule. Read the Supplement Facts panel for creatine per capsule and capsules per serving.
| Creatine per capsule | Capsules for 5 g |
|---|---|
| 1,000 mg | 5 |
| 750 mg | About 7 |
| 500 mg | 10 |
Rounded figures. Some brands list a serving as several capsules; divide to get the amount per capsule.
For example, NOW Foods sells 750 mg creatine monohydrate capsules with a serving of 6 capsules, which is 4.5 g of creatine. That is close to a standard dose, and it is six pills.
Which is cheaper per 5 g, powder or capsules?
Usually powder. A capsule bottle adds the cost of filling and encapsulating, and you need several capsules for each dose. Our creatine list tracks creatine monohydrate powders only, so it does not price capsule bottles. Here are today's lowest powder prices per 5 g, to use as your benchmark:
| Product | Store | Per 5 g | vs Momentous |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule 1 Creatine · Unflavored · 200 Servings | Rule 1 | $0.09 | 81% less |
| BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate (Micronized) Powder · 1 Kilogram | BulkSupplements | $0.15 | 69% less |
| PureBulk Creatine Monohydrate Powder (Micronized) · 1.5 kilograms | PureBulk | $0.15 | 69% less |
| Naked Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate Powder · 998g | Naked Nutrition | $0.18 | 63% less |
| Nutrex Creatine Monohydrate, Unflavored · 500g | Vitacost | $0.19 | 60% less |
| Momentous Creatine · Unflavored popular brand | Momentous | $0.48 | — |
Prices checked November 7, 2026. Store prices change; the price at checkout is final. See the full creatine list
To check a bottle of capsules yourself:
- Multiply creatine per capsule by the number of capsules in the bottle. That is the bottle's total grams of creatine.
- Divide the bottle price by those grams, then multiply by 5.
- Compare that cost per 5 g with the powder prices above.
Prices change daily. The full creatine list shows every powder we track, the store, and when the price was last checked. For ranked picks, see best creatine monohydrate in 2026, and for how we price by serving, see how it works.
Is creatine in capsules as effective as powder?
The creatine is the same compound. The research behind creatine, summarized in the International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand, is mostly on creatine monohydrate, with 3 to 5 g a day as the usual maintenance dose. A capsule does not change what the compound is. What matters is getting the daily dose consistently. If capsules mean you actually take it, that is a fair reason to pay more.
When do capsules make sense?
- Travel. No scooping, no powder in your bag.
- Taste or texture. Some people dislike unflavored creatine in drinks.
- Low doses. If you take 3 g a day, three 1,000 mg capsules is manageable.
When they do not make sense: if you already drink a shake or coffee every day, stirring in a teaspoon of powder usually costs less and takes seconds.
What about creatine gummies and HCl pills?
Gummies are a separate question, mostly about whether the dose on the label is in the gummy. See are creatine gummies worth it?. Creatine HCl is a different form that is often sold in capsules at a smaller dose; see creatine HCl vs monohydrate.
Does the brand matter?
For plain creatine monohydrate, much less than the price suggests. A third-party testing mark is the main thing worth paying extra for. See does creatine brand matter?.
Frequently asked questions
How many creatine pills equal 5 grams?
With 1,000 mg capsules, five. With 750 mg capsules, about seven. Check the label for the creatine per capsule.
Is creatine powder cheaper than pills?
Usually. Divide a capsule bottle's price by its total grams of creatine and compare per 5 g with the powders on our creatine list.
Do creatine capsules work as well as powder?
They can contain the same creatine monohydrate. Taking the full daily dose consistently matters more than the form.
Can I take creatine capsules all at once?
Many people take the full 3 to 5 g dose at once. If several capsules upset your stomach, splitting them across the day is an option. Ask a doctor first if you have kidney disease or take medicines that affect the kidneys.
Sources
Every price on the list is worked out the same way, and checked daily.
See the creatine monohydrate price comparisonCheaper alternatives to Momentous creatineCheaper alternatives to Bare Performance Nutrition creatineMomentous vs Rule 1 creatineBare Performance Nutrition vs Rule 1 creatineNutricost vs BulkSupplements creatine
This is general information about prices and labels, not medical advice. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, take medication, or have a health condition. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and no supplement here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We don't sell the products; how we make money.
