How to compare omega-3 by EPA+DHA

Why EPA and DHA are the metric that matters

Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fats. Among them, two long-chain fatty acids — EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) — are the reason people buy omega-3 supplements. ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), another omega-3, is found in plant oils but is not directly comparable to EPA and DHA because the human body converts it at a very low rate.

When you buy a bottle of omega-3, the front label often shouts a large number: "1000mg fish oil per softgel." That number refers to the total oil in each softgel, not the EPA + DHA you are actually paying for. The amount of EPA and DHA inside that oil is what determines the effective dose.

For example, two products might both advertise "1000mg per softgel," but one delivers 180mg EPA + 120mg DHA (300mg combined), while another delivers 500mg EPA + 250mg DHA (750mg combined). The second product provides 2.5x the effective dose per softgel even though the oil weight is the same.

How DosePrice normalizes omega-3 prices

DosePrice reads the EPA and DHA amounts from the product label (usually found on the nutrition or supplement facts panel) and calculates the total EPA+DHA per serving. From there, the engine computes the normalized price:

EUR per 1g EPA+DHA = (total known price) / (total grams EPA+DHA in the package)

This single metric lets you compare any omega-3 product — fish oil, krill oil, algal oil, or cod liver oil — on equal terms, regardless of capsule count, oil weight, or source.

Products where the label does not state EPA and DHA content clearly are marked as low confidence and excluded from the default ranking. This protects you from paying for mystery oil.

Source differences: fish oil vs krill oil vs algal oil

Different omega-3 sources carry different EPA+DHA concentrations and molecular forms. The normalization to EUR per gram of EPA+DHA works across all of them because it compares the active compounds directly:

This is a factual comparison of source characteristics and pricing, not a recommendation of which source to choose. Which form is right for you depends on your individual needs.

Read the label: where to find EPA and DHA

On any omega-3 supplement, look for the Supplement Facts or Nutrition Facts panel. It will list the serving size (e.g., "2 softgels") and then break down the fatty acid profile:

• Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids — the sum of all omega-3s including ALA, EPA, and DHA. This number can be misleading because it includes ALA.
• EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) — the amount per serving in milligrams.
• DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) — the amount per serving in milligrams.

Add EPA and DHA together. That is your effective dose per serving. Multiply by the number of servings in the bottle to get the total effective dose you are paying for.

Triglyceride vs ethyl ester: does the form affect the normalization?

Omega-3 supplements come in two main chemical forms:

• Triglyceride (TG) — the natural form found in fish. Most fish oil, cod liver oil, and algal oil products use this form.
• Ethyl ester (EE) — a processed form created during concentration to boost EPA and DHA percentages. Many high-concentration fish oil products use this form.

DosePrice treats TG and EE forms as equivalent in the normalization because both contain the same EPA and DHA molecules. The normalization standardizes on the active fatty acid content rather than the carrier molecule. If you have a preference for one form over the other, you can filter by source type on the omega-3 source comparison page.

Putting it into practice

Once you understand that EPA + DHA is the metric, using DosePrice is straightforward:

1. Visit the omega-3 ranking page to see all products sorted by EUR per gram of EPA+DHA.
2. Use the source comparison page to compare fish oil, krill oil, and algal oil side by side.
3. Click any product to see its offers ranked by normalized price, shipping availability, and data freshness.
4. Pick two products and compare them head-to-head on the product comparison page.

DosePrice compares product facts and prices only. This guide does not contain medical advice or health-outcome claims.