How to Take CBD Oil Under Your Tongue: Strength, Servings & Safety Guide
CBD oil is one of the most widely recognised forms of cannabidiol, but the labelling can sometimes make a relatively simple product seem complicated.
A bottle may display 5%, 10%, 20% or 30% CBD, while another may state its strength as 500mg, 1,000mg or 3,000mg. Dropper sizes can also vary, which means counting drops alone is not always the clearest way to understand how much CBD a product contains.
This guide explains how sublingual CBD oil is used, how CBD strength is calculated, how to work out the amount of CBD per millilitre, and what current consumer safety guidance says about CBD intake.
What Does Sublingual CBD Oil Mean?
The word sublingual simply means under the tongue.
CBD oils designed for oral use usually combine cannabidiol with a carrier oil such as MCT oil, hemp seed oil or another food-grade oil.
Rather than treating the percentage on the front of a bottle as the most important number, consumers should also check:
- The total amount of CBD in the bottle
- The bottle volume
- The amount of CBD per serving
- The ingredients
- The manufacturer's directions for use
- Independent laboratory testing
These details make it much easier to understand what is actually inside the bottle.
How to Take CBD Oil Under Your Tongue
Always start by reading the directions supplied with the particular CBD oil you are using, because concentrations and droppers can differ substantially between products.
- Shake the bottle if instructed by the manufacturer.
- Use the pipette or dropper to measure the stated serving.
- Place the oil underneath your tongue.
- Hold it there for the period recommended on the product label.
- Swallow the remaining oil.
The amount of CBD in a serving should be calculated from the actual CBD content of the product rather than simply from the number of drops used.
This distinction becomes particularly important with higher-strength CBD oils.
Understanding CBD Oil Percentages
One of the most confusing parts of buying CBD oil is understanding percentages.
| CBD Oil Strength | Approximate CBD per 1ml |
|---|---|
| 5% | 50mg |
| 10% | 100mg |
| 15% | 150mg |
| 20% | 200mg |
| 30% | 300mg |
Consumers should still check the stated milligram content on the product label because labelling conventions can vary.
The clearest calculation is:
Total CBD in the bottle ÷ bottle volume = CBD per ml
For example, a 30ml bottle containing 3,000mg CBD contains:
3,000mg ÷ 30ml = 100mg CBD per ml
That means:
- 1ml = 100mg CBD
- 0.5ml = 50mg CBD
- 0.25ml = 25mg CBD
- 0.1ml = 10mg CBD
Using millilitres instead of simply counting drops provides a much clearer way of comparing different CBD oils.
Why Counting CBD Oil Drops Can Be Inaccurate
You will sometimes see CBD strength explained as a certain number of milligrams per drop.
That can be useful as an estimate, but individual drop size can vary depending on:
- The pipette
- The viscosity of the carrier oil
- The angle at which the dropper is held
- The design of the bottle
- Temperature
For this reason, a marked pipette showing measurements such as 0.25ml, 0.5ml, 0.75ml and 1ml can be easier to understand than relying entirely on drop counting.
If the manufacturer's label provides a specific mg-per-drop figure, follow the information supplied with that product.
How Much CBD Should You Take?
It is important to distinguish between the strength of a CBD product and official consumer safety guidance.
The Food Standards Agency currently advises healthy adults to limit their consumption of CBD from food products to 10mg per day.
This is precautionary guidance based on long-term exposure. Consumers should take account of all CBD-containing foods and supplements consumed during the same day rather than treating each product separately.
This is particularly important for somebody who may use CBD oil alongside gummies, drinks or other CBD products.
Who Should Speak to a Healthcare Professional Before Using CBD?
Current Food Standards Agency guidance identifies certain groups who should avoid CBD unless under appropriate medical direction or seek professional advice before using it.
- People under 18
- People who are pregnant
- People who are breastfeeding
- People trying to conceive
- People taking medication
- People who are immunosuppressed
CBD can interact with some medicines, so anyone taking medication should speak with an appropriate healthcare professional before using CBD products.
Can CBD Oil Be Marketed as a Treatment?
Consumer CBD oils sold as foods or supplements should not be presented as treatments for medical conditions.
Products promoted for a medical purpose can fall within medicines legislation and may require appropriate authorisation.
Responsible consumer information should therefore focus on subjects such as:
- Cannabinoid content
- Product composition
- Laboratory testing
- Serving information
- Manufacturing quality
- Traceability
CBD products should not be promoted using unsupported claims that they prevent, treat or cure medical conditions.
What Is Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil?
The terminology used for CBD products can vary, but CBD oils are commonly described as CBD isolate, broad-spectrum or full-spectrum.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is highly purified cannabidiol with most other cannabinoids and plant compounds removed.
Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil
Broad-spectrum extracts can contain CBD alongside other naturally occurring cannabinoids and plant compounds while being manufactured to remove or minimise THC according to the product specification.
Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
Full-spectrum terminology is commonly used for extracts containing a broader range of naturally occurring compounds from the hemp plant.
The exact cannabinoid profile will differ from one product to another, which is why laboratory testing is more useful than relying solely on marketing terminology.
For a deeper comparison of these extract types, see our guide to full-spectrum vs broad-spectrum vs CBD isolate.
Why Laboratory Testing Matters
A laboratory report, often called a Certificate of Analysis or CoA, can provide considerably more information than the front label alone.
Depending on the test, a cannabinoid analysis may show concentrations of:
- CBD
- CBDA
- CBG
- CBC
- CBN
- THC and related cannabinoids
Laboratory testing can also help confirm whether the amount of CBD in the product is reasonably consistent with the amount stated on the label.
When comparing CBD oils, look for laboratory information that can be clearly connected to the product or production batch being sold.
What Carrier Oil Is Used in CBD Oil?
CBD is normally combined with another oil to make it easier to formulate and measure.
One common carrier is MCT oil, although hemp seed oil and other edible oils are also used.
The carrier oil can influence:
- Taste
- Texture
- Viscosity
- How easily the oil can be measured
The carrier should therefore be clearly included on the ingredient list.
People with allergies or dietary requirements should always inspect the complete ingredient declaration rather than assuming every CBD oil has the same composition.
How to Compare Two CBD Oils Properly
Price alone can be misleading.
Bottle A
- 30ml
- 1,500mg CBD
- £30
Bottle B
- 30ml
- 3,000mg CBD
- £45
Bottle B costs more overall, but it contains twice as much CBD.
A useful comparison is therefore price per milligram of CBD.
Bottle A:
£30 ÷ 1,500mg = £0.02 per mg
Bottle B:
£45 ÷ 3,000mg = £0.015 per mg
In this example, Bottle B has the lower price per milligram even though its purchase price is higher.
Strength should never be treated as the only measure of quality, but understanding the numbers makes product comparisons considerably easier.
What Should You Look for When Buying CBD Oil?
A well-presented CBD oil should make important product information easy to find.
- Total CBD content in milligrams
- Bottle volume
- Recommended serving information
- Complete ingredient list
- Batch or lot identification
- Independent cannabinoid testing
- Manufacturer or responsible business details
- Appropriate warnings
- Storage instructions
Consumers should be cautious when a CBD product makes dramatic health promises or when its CBD strength cannot be easily verified.
Does Stronger CBD Oil Mean Better CBD Oil?
No.
A higher concentration simply means there is more CBD in a given volume of oil.
If you want to compare higher-strength products in more detail, see our guide to the strongest CBD oil in the UK.
It does not automatically mean the product has been manufactured to a higher standard.
Quality is better assessed by looking at the complete product, including:
- Ingredient quality
- Cannabinoid consistency
- Manufacturing standards
- Independent testing
- Traceability
- Accurate labelling
A correctly manufactured lower-strength oil can therefore be a higher-quality product than a poorly documented high-strength product.
How Should CBD Oil Be Stored?
Always follow the individual product's storage instructions.
As a general principle, CBD oils should normally be protected from unnecessary exposure to:
- Direct sunlight
- Excessive heat
- Moisture
- Contamination
The lid should be properly closed after use and the pipette should be kept clean.
Consumers should also pay attention to any best-before or expiry information supplied by the manufacturer.
The Simplest Way to Understand CBD Oil Strength
The percentage printed on a bottle can be useful, but three numbers make CBD oil much easier to understand:
1. Total CBD in milligrams
2. Total bottle volume in millilitres
3. CBD per millilitre
For example:
3,000mg CBD ÷ 30ml = 100mg CBD per ml
Once that number is known, smaller measured amounts can be calculated easily.
Transparent labelling and independent laboratory testing are ultimately more useful than relying on marketing terminology alone.
If you would like to compare different formulations and cannabinoid strengths, explore our CBD oil UK range.
Frequently Asked Questions About CBD Oil
How long should you hold CBD oil under your tongue?
Follow the directions provided with the specific CBD oil you are using. Sublingual products are generally placed underneath the tongue for a short period before the remaining oil is swallowed, but recommended directions can differ between products.
What does 10% CBD oil mean?
As a simple approximation, 10% CBD oil contains around 100mg of CBD per 1ml.
For example, a 30ml bottle containing 3,000mg CBD works out at:
3,000mg ÷ 30ml = 100mg CBD per ml.
How much CBD is in 0.5ml of 10% CBD oil?
If an oil contains 100mg CBD per 1ml, then 0.5ml contains approximately 50mg CBD.
Always check the concentration stated on the particular product label.
Is CBD oil better under the tongue?
Placing CBD oil underneath the tongue is one of the common methods used for oral CBD oils. Consumers should follow the manufacturer's directions rather than assuming every CBD product should be used in exactly the same way.
Should you swallow CBD oil after holding it under your tongue?
For CBD oils intended for oral use, the remaining oil is typically swallowed after following the manufacturer's directions for sublingual use.
How many drops are in 1ml of CBD oil?
There is no universal number because individual drop size can vary depending on the pipette, the viscosity of the carrier oil and how the dropper is used.
A graduated pipette showing measurements such as 0.25ml, 0.5ml and 1ml provides a more reliable measurement than estimating by drop count.
How do I calculate the strength of CBD oil?
Use the following calculation:
Total CBD in milligrams ÷ bottle volume in millilitres = CBD per ml.
For example:
1,500mg CBD ÷ 30ml = 50mg CBD per ml.
Is stronger CBD oil better?
Not necessarily. A stronger CBD oil simply contains more CBD per millilitre.
Quality should also be assessed using factors such as accurate labelling, ingredient quality, independent laboratory testing, traceability and cannabinoid consistency.
What is the difference between broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD oil?
Broad-spectrum CBD products can contain CBD alongside other cannabinoids and plant compounds while being manufactured to remove or minimise THC according to the product specification.
Full-spectrum products generally contain a broader range of naturally occurring compounds from the hemp plant.
The actual cannabinoid profile should be checked using the product's laboratory report rather than relying only on terminology used on the label.
Can you take CBD oil every day?
Consumers should follow the directions supplied with their product and current safety guidance.
The Food Standards Agency currently advises healthy adults to limit CBD from food products to 10mg per day, taking account of all CBD-containing foods and supplements consumed during the same day.
Can CBD oil interact with medication?
CBD can interact with some medicines. People who are taking medication should speak to an appropriate healthcare professional before using CBD products.
Sources & Further Reading
Food Standards Agency — Cannabidiol (CBD)
Consumer safety information and current precautionary advice regarding CBD intake.
Food Standards Agency — Cannabidiol (CBD) Guidance
Business guidance covering CBD novel foods, recommended labelling and consumer warnings.
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Guidance concerning products containing cannabidiol and the circumstances in which medicinal claims can bring a product within medicines regulation.
This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not intended to provide medical advice. Always follow the directions supplied with an individual product and seek appropriate professional advice where necessary.