Disclosure: BDI.ie is run by the team behind Dr. Hemp Me and CBD Éire. Where we mention those brands, we have a commercial interest. More about who we are.
Last reviewed: October 2026
“2000mg” is one of the most common numbers on CBD bottles, and many people assume it is the “best” or “strongest” option. In reality, the number tells you how much CBD is in the whole bottle, not how much you should take or how well it works. This guide explains what CBD strengths mean, how to work out milligrams per drop, how to compare value, and how to choose a strength that suits you.
What does 2000mg mean?
2000mg is the total amount of CBD in the bottle. In a 10ml bottle, 2000mg equals a 20% oil (200mg per ml). In a 30ml bottle, 2000mg would be a much weaker oil, about 6.7%. So the same “2000mg” can mean very different strengths depending on the bottle size. Always look at both the total milligrams and the bottle volume.
Strength table
| Strength (10ml bottle) | Total CBD | CBD per ml | CBD per drop (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | 500mg | 50mg | 2.5mg |
| 10% | 1,000mg | 100mg | 5mg |
| 20% | 2,000mg | 200mg | 10mg |
| 30% | 3,000mg | 300mg | 15mg |
A 10ml bottle holds roughly 200 drops, though drop size varies between droppers.
Is 2000mg the best strength?
There is no “best” strength. A higher strength is more concentrated, not more effective. Its advantages are fewer drops for the same amount of CBD and, usually, a lower price per milligram. Its disadvantage is that small adjustments are harder: one drop of a 20% oil is about 10mg, so it is easy to take more than you intend. Many people starting out prefer a 10% oil for that reason, then move to a higher strength once they know the amount that suits them, recalculating drops so the total stays the same.
Comparing value
Divide the price by the total milligrams. For example, a 1,000mg bottle at €60 is 6 cent per mg; a 2,000mg bottle at €100 is 5 cent per mg. Higher strengths often work out cheaper per milligram, but only if you will use the bottle before its best-before date.
Staying within safe limits
Whatever the strength, follow the recommended daily serving on the label and do not exceed it. In the UK, the Food Standards Agency advises healthy adults to take no more than 10mg of CBD a day, which is just one drop of a 20% oil. Talk to your GP or pharmacist before taking CBD if you take any medication, and avoid CBD in pregnancy, while breastfeeding and for children.
Check the label is accurate
Independent testing has repeatedly found CBD products in Europe with far less, or more, CBD than their labels claim. A high number on the front is meaningless without an independent lab report confirming it. Ask for the certificate of analysis, check the batch number matches, confirm the CBD content is close to the label, and check THC is not detected.
Switching strengths
If you move from a 10% to a 20% oil, halve the number of drops to keep the same amount of CBD. Write the new number on the box so you do not slip back into old habits. Keep the total within the label’s recommended serving.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a bigger number means a better or stronger effect.
- Comparing bottles by total mg without checking the bottle size.
- Using the same number of drops after switching to a stronger oil.
- Buying a large, strong bottle that expires before you finish it.
- Trusting the number on the front without a lab report.
Our products
For transparency: Dr. Hemp Me, run by the team behind BDI.ie, sells a 20% (2,000mg) oil alongside 10% and 30% strengths, all THC-free with lab reports: drhempme.ie 20% CBD oil. Use the checks above to compare it with any other brand.
Why drop sizes vary
“About 10mg per drop” is an estimate. Drop size depends on the dropper design, how full it is, the temperature and thickness of the oil, and how you hold the bottle. A 10ml bottle can give anywhere from roughly 180 to 250 drops. If precision matters to you, use the graduated markings on the dropper (for example 0.25ml or 0.5ml) rather than counting drops, or choose capsules, which contain a fixed amount each.
Strength in capsules and gummies
Capsules and gummies list CBD per piece rather than a percentage. A capsule with 25mg of CBD is the same amount as about two and a half drops of a 20% oil. Gummies often contain 10mg to 25mg each. Converting everything to milligrams per day is the simplest way to compare formats and stay within the label serving.
Strength is not the same as absorption
How much CBD your body actually absorbs depends on how you take it, whether you have eaten, and individual differences. Taken by mouth, only a fraction of CBD reaches the bloodstream. Holding oil under the tongue and taking it with a meal containing some fat may help absorption. None of this changes the advice to stay within the recommended serving on the label.
How to read the lab report for strength
On a certificate of analysis, look for the CBD result, often given in mg/g or as a percentage. For a 20% oil, you would expect a CBD result close to 200mg/ml or around 20%, allowing for a small margin. Check the batch number matches your bottle, that the lab is independent, that the report is recent, and that THC is listed as “not detected” or “below the limit of quantification”. If the CBD result is far below the label, choose another brand.
Carrier oils
CBD extract is mixed with a carrier oil to make it measurable. Common carriers are MCT oil (from coconut), hemp seed oil and olive oil. They affect taste and texture more than strength. If you have a nut, seed or coconut allergy, check the carrier oil on the label.
Storage
Keep the bottle upright, tightly closed, in a cool, dark cupboard away from children and pets. Heat and light can degrade CBD over time, so a stronger bottle that lasts longer needs good storage to stay accurate to the label.
Full spectrum, broad spectrum and isolate at 2000mg
The strength figure refers to CBD only. A full spectrum 2000mg oil also contains other hemp compounds; a broad spectrum oil has THC removed; an isolate contains CBD alone. None of these is automatically “stronger”. What matters for safety is the THC result on the lab report, and what matters for value is the amount of CBD you actually get per euro.
Who tends to choose higher strengths?
People who already know the amount of CBD they take each day often move to a 20% or 30% oil because it means fewer drops and better value per milligram. People who are new to CBD, sensitive to supplements, or who want to make small, careful changes usually do better with a 5% or 10% oil. There is no prize for using the strongest bottle; the right strength is the one that lets you take the amount on the label accurately and comfortably.
A quick checklist before buying a 2000mg oil
- Check the bottle size, so you know the real percentage.
- Work out mg per drop and price per mg.
- Ask for the lab report and check the CBD and THC results.
- Check the best-before date against how long the bottle will last you.
- Read the recommended daily serving and plan how many drops that means.
If in doubt, start with a lower strength and keep things simple.
A clear label, an independent lab report and a sensible daily amount matter far more than the number on the front of the bottle.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2000mg CBD oil strong?
In a 10ml bottle it is a 20% oil, which is a higher concentration. Strength is about concentration, not a stronger effect.
How many mg of CBD per drop in a 2000mg oil?
In a 10ml bottle, roughly 10mg per drop.
Is 2000mg better than 1000mg?
Not better, just more concentrated. It may be cheaper per mg but makes small adjustments harder.
What strength should a beginner choose?
Many start with a 10% oil for small, measured amounts.
How long does a 2000mg bottle last?
It depends on how many drops you take; at 2 drops a day a 10ml bottle lasts about 100 days.
Does 2000mg mean I take 2000mg?
No. It is the total in the bottle. Follow the label’s recommended daily serving.
How do I compare CBD oil prices?
Divide price by total milligrams of CBD.
How do I know the strength is accurate?
Check an independent lab report for the batch.
Related guides
This guide is for general information only and is not medical advice. CBD products sold in Ireland are food supplements or cosmetics, not medicines. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before using CBD, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding.