claimvsdose

Products / Magnesium

Magnesium citrate

Citrate is about 11 % to 16 % magnesium, depending on the version, and labels rarely say which. So compare the magnesium figure, not the front weight.

See the 2 products Work out any label

What it is

It comes in three common versions:

  • trimagnesium dicitrate, dry: about 16.2 %
  • the same with water in its crystals (nonahydrate): about 11.9 %
  • monomagnesium citrate, dry: about 11.3 %

So 500 mg could give 57 mg to 81 mg of magnesium. We use 16.2 % as standard. If a product fits another version, its page says so.

Names on Australian labels

  • Magnesium citrate: doesn’t say which version.
  • Trimagnesium dicitrate: the 16.2 % version, unless it also says it holds water.
  • Nonahydrate or anhydrous: with water, or without. Water lowers the share.
  • Magnesium (from magnesium citrate): the magnesium only. That’s the number to compare.

What to check on the label

Both figures printed? Try 0.162, then 0.119 and 0.113. Within about 15 % of the magnesium figure? Then it adds up for that version.

Why it matters to you: comparing citrates by compound weight can be out by a third. Cost per 100 mg, below, avoids that. Whether citrate suits you is a question for a pharmacist.

Every citrate product listed, by cost per 100 mg

0 of 2 could be checked against their own figures (why the others can’t be). None links a test document yet (what that means).

Sorted by cost per 100 mg of magnesium, lowest first, until you sort. 2 products so far, added a few at a time, so not the whole market. No brand or retailer pays for inclusion, placement or marks.

Prices are the recommended retail price (RRP), or the regular shelf price where no RRP is shown. Sale and member prices aren’t used, so you may pay less.

How to read this list

“Label says” and “Our maths” are the magnesium you actually get per serve, not the compound weight. Labels call it elemental magnesium. “Cost per 100 mg” is what that magnesium costs, so small and large doses compare fairly.

  • Sort by cost per 100 mg to see what the magnesium itself costs.
  • Open a form page to compare like with like.
  • Tick two products to see them side by side, or open one to see the working.
Magnesium citrate: stated magnesium, our maths, whether it adds up, testing and cost per 100 mg of magnesium, lowest cost first
Line Product Form Label says Our maths Adds up? Testing Cost per 100 mg of magnesium Cost per serve Price used Compare
1 Swisse Ultiboost Magnesium (150 mg elemental per tablet)CitrateLowest cost per 100 mg of 2 citrates; figures can’t be double-checked; AUST L 355159; 1 tablet a serve citrate 150mgper brand page: the brand’s product page Can’t checkonly the magnesium figure givenwhy? can’t check: no compound weight no testing claim found $0.21 31c a tablet RRP $37.49 · 120 tabletsChemist Warehouse · 27 Oct 2026
2 Herbs of Gold Magnesium Citrate 900CitrateHighest cost per 100 mg of 2 citrates; figures can’t be double-checked; AUST L 180203; 1 capsule a serve citrate 145.8mgper brand page: the brand’s product page Can’t checkonly the magnesium figure givenwhy? can’t check: no compound weight no testing claim found $0.39 58c a capsule RRP $34.50 · 60 capsulesGood Price Pharmacy · 27 Oct 2026

“Label says” is the magnesium per serve from the source we read: the pack, the brand’s page or a shop listing. “Our maths” is the compound weight × its share of magnesium. “Adds up” means the two are within 15 %. Cost per 100 mg uses the stated magnesium and each shop’s newest RRP or regular shelf price. It shows the lowest. “Price used” is that price, with its pack and date. We don’t use sale or member prices. No RRP or regular price yet? Then there’s no cost, and the product sorts last. Prices older than 35 days say “may have changed”. What the marks mean. How we work out each figure.

Blends that include citrate

They’re all on the blends page. Each product page shows what each part gives.

See also which magnesium is which, the calculator and the full table.