A Sports Research Omega-3 label lists roughly 690mg EPA and 260mg DHA per serving. A Nordic Naturals Algae Omega label lists roughly 200mg EPA and 400mg DHA. Same two omega-3 fatty acids printed at wildly different ratios across five Supplement Facts panels. We pulled the labels to show exactly which product delivers which ratio and what each panel actually says.
Five Omega-3 Labels: EPA and DHA per Serving, Side by Side
Each product lists EPA and DHA in milligrams on its Supplement Facts panel. The ratio, the carrier form, the source organism, and the certifications vary. Here is what the labels actually say.
| Product | EPA per Serving | DHA per Serving | EPA:DHA Ratio | Carrier Form | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sports Research Omega-3 | ~690 mg | ~260 mg | 2.7:1 (EPA-leaning) | Triglyceride | Wild Alaskan pollock |
| Nordic Naturals Algae Omega | ~200 mg | ~400 mg | 1:2 (DHA-leaning) | Triglyceride | Microalgae (Schizochytrium) |
| Carlson Fish Oil (Liquid) | ~800 mg | ~500 mg | 1.6:1 (balanced) | Triglyceride | Norwegian-sourced fish oil |
| Momentous Omega-3 | ~700 mg | ~300 mg | 2.3:1 (EPA-leaning) | Triglyceride | Anchovy, sardine, mackerel |
| Bronson Antarctic Krill Oil | ~140 mg | ~80 mg | 1.8:1 (moderate EPA lean) | Phospholipid | Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) |
EPA:DHA ratio is the spec that differentiates these labels, not the presence of the two fatty acids. Every product contains both. The Sports Research label leans hardest toward EPA at a 2.7:1 ratio. The Nordic Naturals Algae Omega is the only label where DHA exceeds EPA, at 1:2. Carlson delivers the highest combined EPA+DHA per serving at approximately 1,300mg. Bronson Krill Oil uses a phospholipid carrier instead of triglycerides and lists naturally occurring astaxanthin as an additional line item. The source organism determines the ratio. The brand prints it on the panel. The label does not lie. Read the milligrams.
Comparing EPA and DHA across labels is like comparing two protein powders where one lists 25g of whey and 5g of casein, and the other lists 10g of whey and 20g of casein. Both containers hold protein. The ratio is the spec that determines which one lands in your cart. Same here. Read the milligrams on the panel. Do not assume all omega-3 labels are built the same.
Five Omega-3 Products, Five EPA/DHA Spec Profiles
Sports Research Omega-3 Fish Oil: The EPA-Heavy Label
The Supplement Facts panel lists approximately 690mg EPA and 260mg DHA per serving in triglyceride form, sourced from wild Alaskan pollock. The 2.7:1 ratio skews harder toward EPA than any other label in this comparison. Third-party tested. IFOS certified. Single-source fish oil. For a deeper label breakdown, see our Sports Research Omega-3 review.
- EPA/DHA: ~690mg / ~260mg per serving (verify current label)
- Form: Triglyceride, from wild Alaskan pollock
- Certifications: IFOS, third-party tested
- Cost Position: Moderate cost per gram of combined EPA+DHA
Nordic Naturals Algae Omega: The DHA-Heavy Label
The Supplement Facts panel lists approximately 200mg EPA and 400mg DHA per serving, sourced from Schizochytrium microalgae. This is the only label in this comparison where DHA exceeds EPA, at a 1:2 ratio. Plant-based. Zero fish involvement. No fish oil aftertaste. Vegan-compatible. For the full panel audit, see our algae oil spec comparison.
- EPA/DHA: ~200mg / ~400mg per serving (verify current label)
- Form: Triglyceride, from cultivated microalgae
- Certifications: Non-GMO verified, third-party tested
- Cost Position: Higher cost per gram than fish oil; plant-based sourcing premium
Carlson Fish Oil Liquid: The Highest EPA+DHA per Serving
The Supplement Facts panel lists approximately 800mg EPA and 500mg DHA per teaspoon in liquid triglyceride form, sourced from Norwegian waters. At approximately 1,300mg of combined EPA+DHA per serving, this label carries the highest omega-3 payload per dose in this comparison. Liquid format. Lemon-flavored. No softgel to swallow. For a full breakdown, see our Carlson Fish Oil review.
- EPA/DHA: ~800mg / ~500mg per teaspoon (verify current label)
- Form: Triglyceride, liquid, Norwegian-sourced
- Certifications: IFOS, third-party tested, non-GMO
- Cost Position: Lowest cost per gram of combined EPA+DHA in liquid format
Momentous Omega-3: NSF Certified for Sport
The Supplement Facts panel lists approximately 700mg EPA and 300mg DHA per serving in triglyceride form, sourced from anchovy, sardine, and mackerel. NSF Certified for Sport appears on the label. This is the only product in this comparison carrying that specific certification mark. The 2.3:1 EPA-to-DHA ratio leans toward EPA. For the label audit, see our Momentous Omega-3 review.
- EPA/DHA: ~700mg / ~300mg per serving (verify current label)
- Form: Triglyceride, from multiple cold-water fish species
- Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport
- Cost Position: Premium tier; certification cost reflected in per-serving price
Bronson Antarctic Krill Oil: The Phospholipid Carrier
The Supplement Facts panel lists approximately 140mg EPA and 80mg DHA per softgel in phospholipid form, with naturally occurring astaxanthin listed as a component. The lowest EPA+DHA per softgel of the five products compared. The phospholipid carrier is a structural difference from the triglyceride carrier used by the other four products. Astaxanthin and choline appear as additional line items not found on any of the fish oil or algae oil labels.
- EPA/DHA: ~140mg / ~80mg per softgel (verify current label)
- Form: Phospholipid, from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba)
- Additional Compounds: Naturally occurring astaxanthin, choline from phosphatidylcholine
- Cost Position: Highest cost per gram of EPA+DHA among the five; phospholipid and astaxanthin premium
Which Omega-3 Product Fits Your Label Preference
Match the EPA:DHA ratio on the Supplement Facts panel to what you want in the bottle. All five products deliver EPA and DHA. The ratio, the carrier, the source, and the certifications are the variables.
The EPA-Heavy Buyer
Sports Research Omega-3 lists the highest EPA-to-DHA ratio at 2.7:1 with approximately 690mg EPA per serving. If EPA milligrams per serving is your primary label criterion, this Supplement Facts panel delivers the most EPA of the five products compared.
The DHA-Heavy Buyer
Nordic Naturals Algae Omega is the only label where DHA exceeds EPA, at a 1:2 ratio with approximately 400mg DHA per serving. Plant-based. No fish. Algae-sourced. If DHA milligrams and vegan compatibility are your criteria, this is the only product in the comparison that fits both.
The Total Omega-3 Buyer
Carlson Fish Oil Liquid lists the highest combined EPA+DHA at approximately 1,300mg per teaspoon. If total omega-3 milligrams per serving is your metric, this label posts the highest number. Liquid format. Lemon flavor on the ingredient panel. No softgel to swallow.
The Certification-First Buyer
Momentous Omega-3 carries NSF Certified for Sport. This is the only product in this comparison with that certification mark on the label. If third-party sport certification is the buying criterion, this label carries the mark. The other four do not.
The Phospholipid Buyer
Bronson Antarctic Krill Oil uses a phospholipid carrier instead of triglycerides. Astaxanthin and choline appear as additional line items. The EPA+DHA per softgel is the lowest of the five. The carrier form and additional compounds differentiate the label, not the omega-3 payload per capsule.
The Allergen-Aware Buyer
Nordic Naturals Algae Omega is the only product not derived from fish or shellfish. Bronson krill oil contains crustacean-derived ingredients and lists a shellfish allergen warning. All fish oil products list fish as the source organism.
Omega-3 Labels Compared: Ratios, Carriers, and What They Mean
EPA:DHA ratio, carrier form, and source organism are the three variables that separate these five Supplement Facts panels. Every product contains EPA and DHA. The milligrams, the molecular carrier, and the certifications printed on the label are what change.
EPA-Heavy Labels (Sports Research, Momentous)
- EPA/DHA Ratio: 2.3:1 to 2.7:1 on the Supplement Facts panel
- EPA per Serving: 690-700mg (approximately)
- DHA per Serving: 260-300mg (approximately)
- Carrier: Triglyceride form
- Source: Wild-caught fish (pollock, anchovy, sardine, mackerel)
- Certifications Available: IFOS (Sports Research), NSF Certified for Sport (Momentous)
- Best For: Buyers who want the highest EPA milligrams per serving on the label
DHA-Heavy Label (Nordic Naturals Algae)
- EPA/DHA Ratio: 1:2 on the Supplement Facts panel
- EPA per Serving: ~200mg
- DHA per Serving: ~400mg
- Carrier: Triglyceride form
- Source: Cultivated microalgae (Schizochytrium)
- Certifications: Non-GMO verified
- Best For: Buyers who want DHA to exceed EPA on the label; vegan-compatible
Balanced/High-Payload Label (Carlson)
- EPA/DHA Ratio: 1.6:1 on the Supplement Facts panel
- EPA per Serving: ~800mg (highest EPA milligrams in this comparison)
- DHA per Serving: ~500mg
- Carrier: Triglyceride form, liquid
- Source: Norwegian-sourced fish oil
- Certifications: IFOS, non-GMO
- Best For: Buyers who want the highest total EPA+DHA per serving; liquid format preference
Phospholipid Label (Bronson Krill)
- EPA/DHA Ratio: 1.8:1 on the Supplement Facts panel
- EPA per Serving: ~140mg (lowest EPA milligrams in this comparison)
- DHA per Serving: ~80mg
- Carrier: Phospholipid form (different from triglyceride)
- Source: Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba)
- Additional Line Items: Naturally occurring astaxanthin, choline
- Best For: Buyers who want the phospholipid carrier and astaxanthin inclusion; lowest EPA+DHA per softgel trade-off
The source organism sets the ratio. A pollock produces a 2.7:1 EPA-to-DHA split on the label. A microalgae tank produces a 1:2 split. No amount of processing changes the raw material. The Supplement Facts panel is a mirror of the source organism. Read the milligrams. The ratio is the fingerprint.
EPA and DHA FAQ: Label Math, Ratios, and Product Specs
- What is the difference between EPA and DHA on a Supplement Facts panel?
- They are two different omega-3 fatty acids listed separately in milligrams. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) appear as individual line items under the total omega-3 heading on the label. Different compounds. Different milligram counts. The ratio between them varies by product and by source organism.
- Why do some labels have more EPA and others have more DHA?
- The ratio is determined by the source organism. Fish oil from pollock, anchovy, and sardine typically produces a higher EPA-to-DHA ratio on the label. Algae oil (Schizochytrium) produces a higher DHA-to-EPA ratio. Krill oil produces a moderate EPA-to-DHA ratio in phospholipid form. The source organism determines the ratio printed on the Supplement Facts panel. Not the brand. Not the processing method.
- Does the carrier form (triglyceride vs. phospholipid) change the EPA and DHA numbers?
- No. The carrier form determines the molecular structure of the oil, not the milligram count of EPA and DHA printed on the label. Triglyceride-form fish oil and phospholipid-form krill oil both list EPA and DHA in milligrams on the Supplement Facts panel. The carrier is a structural spec. The milligram count is a quantity spec. They are different line items on the label.
- Which product gives the most EPA for the lowest cost?
- Calculate cost per milligram of EPA by dividing the bottle price by (EPA per serving × servings per container). Typically, concentrated fish oil in triglyceride form (Sports Research, Carlson) produces the lowest cost per milligram of EPA. Algae oil costs more per milligram of EPA. Krill oil costs the most due to the phospholipid premium and astaxanthin inclusion. Run the math on the current listing. EPA-per-dollar varies by bottle size, softgel count, and current Amazon pricing.
- Can I get DHA without fish?
- Yes. Nordic Naturals Algae Omega lists DHA at approximately 400mg per serving sourced entirely from Schizochytrium microalgae. No fish oil. No krill. No crustaceans. The label lists algae as the sole omega-3 source. This is the only product in the comparison that is both fish-free and shellfish-free. If a fish oil aftertaste is a concern, our no-aftertaste omega-3 guide covers alternatives.
- What does IFOS certification mean on a fish oil label?
- International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) is a third-party testing program that verifies potency, purity, oxidation levels, and heavy metal content. Appears on Sports Research and Carlson labels in this comparison. It does not apply to algae oil or krill oil products. It is a fish-oil-specific certification mark. For an omega-3 product that carries NSF instead, see our Momentous Omega-3 review.
EPA vs. DHA Final Verdict: The Label Ratio Determines What You Buy
All five products list EPA and DHA on their Supplement Facts panels. The ratio between them is the spec that separates them. Sports Research Omega-3 posts the highest EPA-to-DHA ratio at 2.7:1 with IFOS certification. Nordic Naturals Algae Omega is the only label where DHA exceeds EPA, and the only plant-based source. Carlson Fish Oil Liquid posts the highest combined EPA+DHA per serving. Momentous Omega-3 carries NSF Certified for Sport. Bronson Krill Oil uses a phospholipid carrier with astaxanthin as an additional line item.
Read the milligrams on the Supplement Facts panel. The ratio is the product. Everything else is the tub. The source organism prints the ratio. The brand prints the milligrams. Your job is to read them.
Verdict: Five Products, Five EPA:DHA Ratios
EPA-heavy (Sports Research 2.7:1). DHA-heavy (Nordic Naturals Algae 1:2). Highest total payload (Carlson, ~1,300mg). NSF Certified (Momentous). Phospholipid carrier (Bronson Krill). Pick the label that matches your ratio preference and certification requirements.
Prices, EPA/DHA content per serving, and formulations subject to change. Verify the Supplement Facts panel on the live listing before purchase. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The Omega-3 Label Lexicon: EPA, DHA, and Carrier Terms
- EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)
- A 20-carbon omega-3 fatty acid listed in milligrams on every fish oil, krill oil, and algae oil Supplement Facts panel. The amount varies by source organism and concentration method. Not a branded ingredient. A molecular compound with a specified milligram count on the label.
- DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)
- A 22-carbon omega-3 fatty acid listed in milligrams alongside EPA on Supplement Facts panels. Structurally longer than EPA by two carbon atoms. Found in higher concentrations in algae oil labels than fish oil labels due to the source organism.
- Triglyceride Form
- The molecular carrier structure where three fatty acids are bound to a glycerol backbone. The natural form found in fish. Listed on product labels as “triglyceride form” or implied by the ingredient listing. Used by Sports Research, Carlson, Momentous, and Nordic Naturals Algae Omega. The default omega-3 carrier in most fish oil supplements.
- Phospholipid Form
- The molecular carrier structure where fatty acids are bound to a phosphate-containing glycerol backbone. Found in krill oil. Listed on Bronson Krill Oil’s ingredient panel. Different molecular structure than triglyceride. Incorporates choline from phosphatidylcholine as part of the carrier matrix.
- IFOS Certification
- The International Fish Oil Standards program, a third-party testing certification that appears on qualifying fish oil labels. Tests for potency, purity, oxidation, and heavy metals. Appears on Sports Research and Carlson labels. Does not appear on algae oil or krill oil products, which are not within IFOS’s testing scope.
- NSF Certified for Sport
- A third-party certification indicating the product has been tested for substances banned in sport and that the label matches the contents. Appears on the Momentous Omega-3 label. The only product in this comparison carrying this specific certification.
Keep Reading: Omega-3 Product Spec Comparisons
- Sports Research Omega-3 Review — full label breakdown of the highest EPA-ratio product in this comparison.
- Carlson Fish Oil Review — deep dive on the Norwegian-sourced liquid fish oil with the highest combined EPA+DHA.
- Momentous Omega-3 Review — label analysis of the NSF Certified for Sport omega-3 product.
- Sports Research D3 + K2 Review — a common stacking partner with omega-3 supplements.