Caprylic Acid
Also known as 8:0, Octanoic acid, C8, MCT
Caprylic acid is a medium-chain saturated fatty acid and the shortest of the common MCTs used in MCT oil. It is found in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and dairy fat.
Why it matters
What it does in your body
- Provides rapidly available energy as a medium-chain triglyceride
- The main C8 fat concentrated in MCT oil
- Naturally present in small amounts in milk fat
Intake guidance
How much you need
There is no separate daily target for caprylic acid. It is part of the saturated fat you should limit to under 10 percent of daily calories, and the body can make saturated fatty acids on its own, so it is not considered essential.
What affects it
What affects your intake
Food source
It occurs in coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and dairy fat, and is concentrated as C8 in MCT oil.
Metabolism
Being the shortest common MCT, it is absorbed and converted to energy especially quickly.
In practice
Good to know
Good to know: caprylic acid (C8) is the fastest-metabolized of the medium-chain triglycerides and often the headline ingredient in premium MCT oils. Like capric acid, it is absorbed and burned for energy quickly, which is why it is popular for keto and endurance nutrition. It is still a saturated fat and a concentrated source of calories, and the body can make its own saturated fats, so there is no dietary requirement to consume it.
Where to get it
Best food sources
The bottom line
Caprylic acid is the quick-burning C8 fat that headlines most MCT oils. It is still saturated fat and calories, so treat MCT oil as a supplement to use in moderation, not a free food.
Track caprylic acid automatically
Caprylic Acid is one of the 92 nutrients Vora reads from a photo of your meal, so you can see where you stand without weighing or logging by hand.
Sources and method
The classification, roles, and guidance on this page come from the references below, drawing on the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academies) Dietary Reference Intakes and reputable nutrition science.
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025
- USDA FoodData Central
This page is for general education, not medical advice. Reference intakes are population averages for healthy people and do not replace guidance from your doctor or a registered dietitian, especially if you are pregnant, managing a health condition, or considering supplements.