How Much Potassium Is in a Potassium Gluconate Pill: Elemental vs. Total

January 4, 2026 •

3 min read

A standard 595 mg potassium gluconate tablet contains just 99 mg of elemental potassium, a detail often misunderstood by consumers trying to meet their daily mineral needs. This distinction between the total compound weight and the actual mineral content is crucial for understanding how supplements work.

Quick Summary

A typical 595 mg potassium gluconate supplement provides 99 mg of elemental potassium. The remaining mass consists of the gluconate compound, which is metabolized separately from the essential mineral.

Key Points

Elemental vs. Total: Supplement labels often list the total compound weight (e.g., 595 mg), not the elemental potassium amount (e.g., 99 mg).
The 99 mg Standard: For safety reasons, over-the-counter potassium supplements are typically capped at 99 mg of elemental potassium per tablet in the U.S..
Calculating the Amount: Potassium gluconate is about 16.69% elemental potassium by weight, so a 595 mg pill provides approximately 99 mg of the mineral.
Form Matters: Different potassium salts, like chloride or citrate, contain varying concentrations of elemental potassium per milligram of the compound.
Health First: It is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before starting any potassium supplement, especially if you have kidney issues or take other medications.
Risk of Overdose: While rare in healthy individuals, excessive potassium can be dangerous, especially for those with impaired kidney function.

The Key Distinction: Elemental vs. Compound Weight

When you read a supplement label for potassium gluconate, the dosage listed—often 595 mg—refers to the total weight of the potassium gluconate salt. This compound is formed when the mineral potassium (K) is bound to gluconic acid. The body then breaks down this salt to release the potassium in its usable, or 'elemental,' form.

For potassium gluconate specifically, the elemental potassium makes up only a small fraction of the total weight. The vast majority of the pill is the larger, organic gluconate molecule. This is why the label on a 595 mg tablet will typically specify that it provides 99 mg of elemental potassium. The 99 mg dosage is the amount that truly impacts your body's mineral levels.

Why Is There a Difference?

This difference in labeling is a source of frequent confusion. Many people see the higher milligram count (e.g., 595 mg) and assume that's how much potassium they are receiving. In reality, it reflects the total weight of the chemical compound. The FDA has also regulated the amount of potassium that can be sold in over-the-counter tablets for safety reasons, contributing to the standard 99 mg elemental potassium dosage.

Calculating Elemental Potassium

To demystify the label, one can understand the chemical composition of potassium gluconate. By mass, potassium gluconate is approximately 16.69% elemental potassium. This means that if you have a 595 mg tablet, you can calculate the elemental potassium like this:

595 mg (Potassium Gluconate) x 0.1669 (Elemental K percentage) ≈ 99.3 mg (Elemental K)

This simple calculation shows why a 595 mg pill provides just under 100 mg of elemental potassium. For other tablet sizes, the math works the same way. For instance, a 550 mg tablet from a brand like Nature Made provides 90 mg of elemental potassium (550 mg x 0.1669 ≈ 91.8 mg).

Comparison of Potassium Supplements

Elemental potassium content is the key metric for comparing different types of potassium supplements, not the total compound weight. Here is a comparison of common forms:


Supplement Type	Total Compound Weight (Approx.)	Elemental K Per 99 mg Elemental Dose	Molar Mass (g/mol)	Common Use Cases	Key Differences
Potassium Gluconate	595 mg	595 mg	234.25	Prevention of mild hypokalemia, general supplementation.	Generally gentler on the stomach. Less concentrated form.
Potassium Chloride	190 mg	190 mg	74.55	Correction of hypokalemia with metabolic alkalosis.	Higher percentage of elemental potassium per gram. Can be more irritating to the stomach.
Potassium Citrate	280 mg	280 mg	277.26	Treatment of kidney stones, metabolic acidosis.	Acts as a urinary alkalinizer.

Note: These figures are approximate and can vary slightly by brand and formulation.

The Importance of Elemental Potassium for Health

Elemental potassium is a vital electrolyte that plays a critical role in numerous bodily functions. It works in conjunction with sodium to maintain healthy fluid balance within the body. Other functions include:

Nerve Function: Potassium is essential for the transmission of nerve signals, which are the body's communication network.
Muscle Contractions: It helps facilitate muscle contractions, including the crucial contraction of the heart muscle, supporting a regular heartbeat.
Blood Pressure Regulation: Higher potassium intake, especially when balanced with a lower sodium intake, has been shown to help lower blood pressure.
Kidney Function: Proper potassium levels are necessary for healthy kidney function and can help reduce the risk of kidney stones.

Dosage and Safety Considerations

For most people, a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides sufficient potassium. However, certain conditions or medications, such as diuretics, can deplete the body's potassium stores, necessitating supplementation. Over-the-counter potassium gluconate tablets are typically limited to 99 mg of elemental potassium per serving for safety. The risk of hyperkalemia (excessively high potassium levels) is a concern, especially for individuals with compromised kidney function.

Always take supplements with a full glass of water to minimize potential gastrointestinal irritation.
Do not exceed the recommended dosage without medical supervision.
Discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider, particularly if you have a history of kidney disease or are taking medications that affect potassium levels.

Conclusion: Understanding Your Supplement

In summary, the amount of potassium in a potassium gluconate pill is not the total milligrams listed on the label, but rather the smaller, elemental potassium amount. While a 595 mg tablet may seem potent, it delivers only 99 mg of elemental potassium, with the rest being the gluconate compound. Understanding this difference is essential for managing your health and accurately tracking your nutrient intake. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice on supplementation, especially given the potential risks associated with imbalanced potassium levels. For more information on dietary minerals, refer to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 595 mg potassium gluconate pill contains 99 mg of elemental potassium. The remaining mass comes from the gluconate compound.

The total amount (595 mg) refers to the weight of the entire potassium gluconate salt. The elemental amount (99 mg) is the actual weight of the potassium mineral that the body uses after the compound is broken down.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has historically regulated the amount of potassium in oral drug products for safety, prompting manufacturers to limit the amount in OTC supplements.

No, potassium is available in other salt forms, including potassium chloride and potassium citrate. Each form has a different concentration of elemental potassium and may serve different therapeutic purposes.

For most healthy people, potassium gluconate is safe when taken in recommended doses. However, individuals with kidney disease or those taking certain medications should consult a doctor due to the risk of dangerously high potassium levels.

To prevent stomach irritation, it is generally recommended to take potassium gluconate with a full glass of water and a meal.

Recommended daily potassium intake varies by age and sex. For example, the NIH suggests 3,400 mg for adult men and 2,600 mg for adult women.

Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, supports healthy nerve and muscle function, aids in fluid balance, and protects against heart disease and kidney stones.