What Strength CBD Oil Should I Start With?

If you’re new to CBD, one of the first questions you’ll face is: “What strength should I take?”

With so many percentages on the label — 5%, 10%, 20% and beyond — it can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what those numbers mean, how they relate to dosage, and how to choose the best strength for your needs.

What Do CBD Oil Percentages Actually Mean?

The percentage on a CBD oil bottle tells you how concentrated the CBD is in the carrier oil.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

So, the higher the percentage, the more CBD you get per drop.

How Much CBD Is in a Single Drop?

Let’s make it simple:

5% oil = approx. 2.5mg per drop
10% oil = approx. 5mg per drop
20% oil = approx. 10mg per drop

This helps you calculate how many drops to take depending on your desired dose.

Which Strength Is Right for You?

It depends on what you’re using it for and how your body responds. Here’s a general guide:

✅ 5% – Best for Beginners & General Wellbeing

Great starting point
Ideal for mild anxiety, low-level pain or sleep support
Easy to microdose (1–2 drops = 2.5–5mg)

✅ 10% – Great for Moderate Issues

Useful for daily anxiety, inflammation, or mild chronic pain
Popular balance of strength and control

✅ 20% – Suitable for Persistent or Severe Symptoms

Often chosen for arthritis, fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, or stronger anxiety
Fewer drops needed for therapeutic effect

Start Low, Go Slow

CBD affects everyone differently. If you’re new to it, we always recommend:

Start with 1–3 drops of 5% or 10% oil once or twice a day
Track how you feel over a few days
Gradually increase if needed

For stronger symptoms, starting with 10% might save time — but still begin with small doses and build up.

💬 Need Personalised Advice?

At Bristol CBD, we’re here to guide you. If you’re unsure where to begin, just email or call us – we’ll help you find the right strength, product, and dosing schedule for your unique needs.

CBD you can trust at affordable prices.

Visit bristolcbd.co.uk to get started with products you can trust.

Whole Plant CBD Capsules with Piperine (Vegan)

£39.99

Bristol CBD Capsules are a great alternative to taking CBD oils. These easy to swallow vegan capsules (60 capsules per tin) contain whole plant, full spectrum CBD oil (15mg CBD per capsule, 900mg CBD per tin) and piperine (black pepper extract) to boost CBD bio-availability. Click here for reviews.

Free Royal Mail Tracked 24 delivery on orders over £30. See below for product details and see product images for laboratory certificates.

About Bristol CBD:

Bristol CBD is the most trusted CBD brand in the UK with a trust score of 5.0 stars on both Google and Trustpilot. As well as CBD products, Bristol CBD also sell high-spec functional mushrooms including Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Shiitake, Chaga, Reishi and Turkey Tail.

We offer unparalleled customer service, support, guidance and advice and a 100% money back guarantee if you are not entirely satisfied with your product.

If you have any questions about how to buy or use CBD or medicinal mushroom products, please feel free to call us on 07706 031 935 at any time. We are always happy to share our experiences and help people to find the best solution for their own needs.

Please note that Bristol CBD staff are not qualified doctors or nurses and therefore we do not make any medical claims and cannot recommend CBD for specific ailments. Our articles are simply based on the scientific research that we have read and many years experience of working with CBD and other supplements. We always encourage people to talk with their GPs, physicians or nurses before taking CBD products.

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