Understanding Insulin Needle Gauges: 27G vs. 28G vs. 29G vs. 30G vs. 31G

Learning to recognize the differences among insulin syringe gauges is an important step for managing diabetes at home. The needle’s gauge, represented by a number followed by G, signifies its diameter, with lower numbers indicating thicker needles and higher numbers indicating thinner needles.

There are numerous factors to consider when choosing insulin syringes of different sizes. We’re here to help you make an informed decision. However, these are just general guidelines; you should consult with a health care professional if you’re not sure which gauge is right for you. Here’s everything you should know about insulin needle gauges.

The Basic Characteristics of Each Gauge

First, we’re going to break down the attributes of each gauge starting from the thinnest (31G) down to the thickest (27G).

31G (Ultra-Fine)

31G needles are very popular because they’re the thinnest and most comfortable medication delivery option for those who prefer traditional syringes. That said, there are even thinner 32G and 33G diabetic pen needles available for those who use a diabetic pen.

In general, if you prioritize comfort, you should choose finer needles. They’re ideal for people who have needle anxiety or high sensitivity. The downside is that drawing insulin into the syringe can be more difficult and time-consuming, especially with viscous medications.

Because of their thinness, ultra-fine insulin needle gauges tend to be less likely to cause complications, such as tissue trauma, inflammation, bruising, or bleeding.

30G (Fine)

This insulin syringe gauge offers many of the benefits of ultra-fine 31G needles. While they’re slightly thicker than ultra-fine 31G needles, they’re still exceptionally comfortable and well-tolerated.

The main reason why you may want to opt for a 30G needle instead of ultra-fine is because the medication flows better through the larger needle. This is helpful for drawing and delivering viscous medications, saving you time and effort when dosing.

29G (Fine)

29G is a popular choice among people who prefer balanced insulin needle gauges. This gauge is well-suited for subcutaneous medication delivery. An ideal middle ground, this size is still relatively comfortable, but the slightly larger needle allows for more flow, saving time and effort when drawing and delivering, especially viscous medications.

28G (Fine)

28G needles are larger and sturdier than finer gauges. They’re ideal for people who prefer to draw and deliver their medication quickly and easily. However, the relatively thicker size may be less comfortable and may not be the best choice for those who take insulin frequently or those with needle anxiety or high sensitivity.

27G (Fine)

The thickest insulin needle gauges are typically used by people who take their medication intramuscularly and/or infrequently. Thicker insulin syringe gauges provide excellent flow, making it easy to draw and deliver viscous medications. However, the thicker size may not be suitable for routine dosing or for people with needle anxiety or high sensitivity.

How to Choose the Right Gauge

A health care professional can recommend different size insulin syringes based on your unique needs and preferences. If you’ve been cleared to choose your own gauge, follow these recommendations:

31G or 30G: Choose 31G or 30G if you prioritize comfort, don’t take viscous medications, and dose frequently. These are the most popular gauges.
29G: Choose 29G insulin needle gauges if you want an intermediate needle that’s relatively comfortable and easier to draw and deliver viscous medications.
28G: Choose 28G if you prioritize speed and ease of use and/or if you dose viscous medications frequently.
27G: Choose 27G if you take an especially viscous medication and/or if you dose infrequently and/or intramuscularly.

Understanding Needle Length

In addition to choosing the right gauge, it’s very important that you also choose the right length. Needles range in length from 4mm to 12mm. Shorter needles are more comfortable, but they may not be suitable for larger body sizes and those with thicker skin.

Just like insulin needle gauges, the right size depends on how you take your medication. Most adults and children find that shorter (4mm-6mm) needles are best for standard subcutaneous insulin delivery; longer (8mm-12mm) may be required for intramuscular insulin delivery.

Don’t Forget About Capacity

In addition to gauge and length, make sure you choose insulin syringes with the correct capacity for your insulin.

0.3 mL syringes are suitable for less than 30 units of insulin.
0.5 mL syringes are suitable for 30 to 50 units of insulin.
1.0 mL syringes are suitable for more than 50 units of insulin.

Choosing the Right Brand

Once you’ve determined the correct insulin needle gauges and lengths, the last step is selecting a brand. BD, Monoject, and UltiCare are three of the most popular brands. We also stock other top medical brands like Sure Comfort, Simple Diagnostics, TRUEplus, and Magellan.

Shop High-Quality Diabetes Supplies for Less

Now that you understand how insulin needle gauges work, browse our wide selection of insulin syringes. We stock a variety of gauges, lengths, and capacities so you can find different size insulin syringes with ease. We also carry safety syringes, syringe specials and combos, insulin syringe accessories, and many other insulin supplies.

We know diabetic supplies can be expensive, especially on a long-term basis. We believe that everyone should be able to access high-quality essentials. That’s why we offer every day affordable prices. Depend on our discount diabetic supplies and health and wellness products to not only fit your budget but exceed your expectations.

Choose from our many insulin needle gauges, and place your order with confidence. To have your go-to syringes and supplies shipped to your home on a set schedule, join our convenient Diabetic Coverage® Auto-Ship Program. Download the ADW Diabetes app for simple, secure mobile shopping. Start saving on diabetes supplies today!