VITAMIN D
D2 vs D3
Sources, vegan status and what research says about raising levels.
Compare →Vitamin D form
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
In short
The form of vitamin D the skin makes from sunlight. Most D3 supplements are made from lanolin; vegan D3 is made from lichen.
At a glance
- Chemical name
General reference - Cholecalciferol
- Common sources
General reference - Lanolin (sheep’s wool); lichen for vegan versions
- Raising blood levels
Published research - More effective than D2 in a 2012 meta-analysis
- Typical formats
General reference - Softgels, capsules, tablets, drops, gummies
About vitamin d3 (cholecalciferol)
What it is
Vitamin D3 is the same form the body produces in skin exposed to UVB light.
What the research says
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials found D3 raised blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D more effectively than D2, with the difference most pronounced for large, infrequent (bolus) doses.
Label tip
If you need a vegan product, look specifically for D3 “from lichen”; otherwise assume D3 is animal-derived.
Compare D3
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) products
Cost comparison
| Product | Format | Per serving | Servings | Price | Cost / serving | Cost per 1,000 IU (25 mcg) vitamin D | Other ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northfield Labs Vitamin D3 1,000 IU Northfield Labs · demo |
Softgels 1 softgel |
25 mcg (1,000 IU) vitamin D | 365 | $11.99* | $0.03 | $0.03 | 3 |
| Verdana Botanicals Vegan D3 2,000 IU Verdana Botanicals · demo |
Capsules 1 capsule |
50 mcg (2,000 IU) vitamin D | 90 | $16.99* | $0.19 | $0.09 | 2 |
| Bright Daily Vitamin D3 Gummies Bright Daily · demo |
Gummies 2 gummies |
25 mcg (1,000 IU) vitamin D | 30 | n/a | — | — | 6 |
SuppScout calculation Sorted by cost per 1,000 iu (25 mcg) vitamin d. * Demonstration prices from fictional listings, used to show the calculation — not current market prices.
Products
Bright Daily Vitamin D3 Gummies
Bright Daily · Demo
- Primary ingredient
- Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
- Per serving
- 25 mcg (1,000 IU) vitamin D
- Servings
- 30
- Format
- Gummies
- Price
- Not available
- Per serving cost
- —
Not verified
Northfield Labs Vitamin D3 1,000 IU
Northfield Labs · Demo
- Primary ingredient
- Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
- Per serving
- 25 mcg (1,000 IU) vitamin D
- Servings
- 365
- Format
- Softgels
- Price
- $11.99*
- Per serving cost
- $0.03
Not verified
Verdana Botanicals Vegan D3 2,000 IU
Verdana Botanicals · Demo
- Primary ingredient
- Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
- Per serving
- 50 mcg (2,000 IU) vitamin D
- Servings
- 90
- Format
- Capsules
- Price
- $16.99*
- Per serving cost
- $0.19
Not verified
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Other vitamin d forms
Sources & references
- Tripkovic L, Lambert H, Hart K, et al. (2012). Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 95(6). doi:10.3945/ajcn.111.031070Meta-analysis
- Vitamin D: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.govGovernment
SuppScout links to primary and authoritative sources wherever possible. See our editorial policy for how sources are selected and how corrections are handled.
This page is educational and is not medical advice. Talk to a healthcare professional before starting a supplement, especially if you have a medical condition, take medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.