Combination supplements

Calcium-magnesium combo supplements: which one should you buy?

Calcium-magnesium combos put calcium, magnesium and D3 in one tablet so you don't have to buy them separately. On the label, first check which form each one is (citrate, or carbonate/oxide) and make sure a single dose has no more than 500 mg of calcium.

Calcium on its ownMagnesium on its ownZinc on its ownVitamin D on its ownVitamin K2 on its own

How to choose a combination supplement

  • Calcium and magnesium forms — Based on 'Calcium (as …)' and 'Magnesium (as …)' on the label. Calcium: citrate, malate, chelate or hydroxyapatite = good; calcium carbonate = cheap but needs stomach acid to dissolve, so always take it after a meal. Magnesium: citrate, glycinate or aspartate = good; magnesium oxide = poorly absorbed (works for constipation). If magnesium is oxide only or includes oxide, max 'Depends on your needs'. Vitamin D: D3 is best, D2 is one step down
  • Effective dose and amount per dose — 200–400 mg calcium a day from supplements is enough (700–800 mg including food); avoid 1,000 mg or more long-term. Over 500 mg at once absorbs less, so split doses. Magnesium: 200–400 mg elemental. Calcium:magnesium 1:1 to 2:1 is good, up to 2.5:1 is fine, 6:1 or more means magnesium is there in name only. If the label's daily amount is 1,000 mg, cut back to 1–2 tablets
  • Hidden form ratios and token ingredients — If calcium (or both calcium and magnesium) comes in several forms including calcium carbonate with no ratio listed, you can't tell how much of each form is inside, so 'Not recommended'. A single calcium form or a blend with ratios listed loses no points; oxide mixed in on the magnesium side only loses points. Herbal powders added in tiny amounts like 20 mg lose points
  • Zinc and D amounts (upper limits) — The upper limit for zinc is 40 mg a day. 15 mg or less loses no points; 25 mg gets close to the limit when added to a multivitamin or zinc supplement, so points off. Keep D3 from all products at 4,000 IU a day or less. K2 (MK-7) earns points (none of these products have it)
  • Pairing inside one tablet — Zinc in a high-calcium tablet may absorb less, so if zinc is your goal, take a separate zinc supplement at a different time. None of these products contain iron — space iron supplements apart from Cal-Mag
  • Better than buying separately? — Good calcium + good magnesium + D3 in one tablet is worthwhile because it cuts pill count and cost. If magnesium is oxide only or the ratio is 6:1 or higher, it's no different from calcium alone, so taking magnesium (like glycinate) separately is better
  • Cost per day and label check — Cost per day = price ÷ count × label daily tablets (the minimum if a range). Cost per 300 mg of calcium is also considered. If the same product can't be confirmed on the NIH DSLD label database, max 'Depends on your needs'. Review counts and star ratings are not used, and the same standard applies to every brand

Best Calcium-magnesium combo supplements supplements on Amazon, compared

Bottom line

We checked the labels of 23 popular calcium-magnesium combo supplements on Amazon: 1 recommended, 21 depend on your needs, 1 not recommended.

  • Best overall — Bluebonnet Calcium Citrate Magnesium Plus Vitamin D3 Caplets: Calcium is citrate only; magnesium is an organic acid form (aspartate) (Per serving: 1000 mg)
  • Best value — Nature Made Calcium Magnesium Zinc with Vitamin D3 Tablets: Calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide — cheap basic forms, always take after a meal (Per serving: 333 mg)
  • Citrate value — NOW Foods Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper & Manganese Tablets: Calcium citrate only, 300 mg per tablet (Per serving: 600 mg)
  • Liquid — Bluebonnet Liquid Calcium Magnesium Citrate Plus Vitamin D3 (16 fl oz): Good forms: calcium citrate, and magnesium citrate and aspartate (Per serving: 600 mg)
  • Clean 1:1 — Pure Encapsulations Calcium Magnesium (Citrate) Capsules: Both calcium and magnesium are citrate only, with almost no other ingredients (Per serving: 240 mg)

We checked the labels of popular Amazon products and rated them by the criteria above. Cost per day is relative — compared with other products of the same supplement. Check Amazon for the current price.

Best overallCalcium Citrate Magnesium Plus Vitamin D3 CapletsBluebonnet Best valueCalcium Magnesium Zinc with Vitamin D3 TabletsNature Made Citrate valueCalcium Citrate with Vitamin D, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper & Manganese TabletsNOW Foods LiquidLiquid Calcium Magnesium Citrate Plus Vitamin D3 (16 fl oz)Bluebonnet Clean 1:1Calcium Magnesium (Citrate) CapsulesPure Encapsulations

Recommended 1

RecommendedBluebonnet

Calcium Citrate Magnesium Plus Vitamin D3 Caplets

Calcium citrate + magnesium aspartate · Per serving: 1000 mg · Cost per day: high

4 tablets: calcium 1,000 mg, magnesium 400 mg, D3 800 IU (250 mg calcium per tablet)

  • Calcium is citrate only; magnesium is an organic acid form (aspartate)
  • 2.5:1 calcium to magnesium, plus D3, in one tablet
  • 250 mg calcium per tablet — label says 4 (1,000 mg), but 1–2 is enough if you get calcium from food
  • No zinc, so no zinc overlap with other supplements

First-timers, women after menopause, one Cal-Mag-D product and done

View on Amazon Find on iHerb

Depends on your needs 21

DependsNature Made

Calcium Magnesium Zinc with Vitamin D3 Tablets

Calcium carbonate + magnesium oxide + zinc sulfate · Per serving: 333 mg · Cost per day: low

1 tablet: calcium 333 mg, magnesium 133 mg, zinc 5 mg, D3 200 IU (label max 3 tablets)

  • Calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide — cheap basic forms, always take after a meal
  • 333 mg calcium per tablet fits supplement needs; 2.5:1 calcium to magnesium
  • Only 5 mg zinc and 200 IU D3, so overlap with other supplements is no problem
  • Label max is 3 a day — 1 is often enough; very low cost per day

Price matters most, strong stomachs (take after meals)

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsAmazing Formulas

Calcium Magnesium Zinc + D3 Tablets

Calcium carbonate and citrate + magnesium oxide and citrate + zinc oxide and gluconate blend (ratio not listed) · Per serving: 1000 mg · Cost per day: low

3 tablets: calcium 1,000 mg, magnesium 400 mg, zinc 25 mg, D3 600 IU

  • Mixes calcium carbonate/citrate and magnesium oxide/citrate with no ratio per form (totals are listed)
  • 25 mg zinc — over twice the daily value, easily overlaps with other supplements
  • Label says 3 a day (1,000 mg calcium) — 1 tablet (333 mg) covers supplement needs

For the same price, choose a Cal-Mag-D that lists each form clearly

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsCountry Life

Target-Mins Calcium Magnesium Potassium Tablets

5 organic-acid, chelate and hydroxyapatite calcium forms + 5 magnesium forms (including oxide) · Per serving: 500 mg · Cost per day: average

2 capsules: calcium 500 mg, magnesium 500 mg, potassium 99 mg

  • No calcium carbonate — citrate, chelate, hydroxyapatite and more
  • 1:1 calcium to magnesium — but the 5 magnesium forms include oxide, ratios not listed
  • No vitamin D, so you need it separately
  • 2 capsules = 500 mg magnesium — above the daily range (200–400 mg), so starting with 1 is fine

Already taking vitamin D separately and want 1:1 Cal-Mag

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsSolgar

Calcium Magnesium Plus Zinc Tablets

Calcium carbonate, citrate and gluconate + magnesium citrate, gluconate and oxide blend (ratio not listed) · Per serving: 1000 mg · Cost per day: average

3 tablets: calcium 1,000 mg, magnesium 400 mg, zinc 15 mg

  • 3 forms each of calcium and magnesium (including carbonate and oxide), no ratio per form (totals are listed)
  • Label dose of 3 is a high 1,000 mg calcium
  • No vitamin D; 15 mg zinc is a reasonable amount

For the same price, choose a Cal-Mag-D that lists each form clearly

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsNOW Foods

Calcium & Magnesium (2:1 Ratio) Tablets

Calcium carbonate, citrate and ascorbate + magnesium oxide, citrate and ascorbate blend (ratio not listed) · Per serving: 1000 mg · Cost per day: low

2 tablets: calcium 1,000 mg, magnesium 500 mg

  • 3 forms each of calcium and magnesium (including carbonate and oxide), no ratio per form (totals are listed)
  • 500 mg calcium per tablet — even one is more than supplement needs
  • No vitamin D

For the same price, choose a Cal-Mag that lists each form clearly

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsSolaray

Calcium Magnesium Zinc VegCaps

4 calcium forms (carbonate, hydroxide, citrate, chelate) + 3 magnesium forms (including oxide), ratio not listed, + zinc chelate · Per serving: 1000 mg · Cost per day: average

4 tablets: calcium 1,000 mg, magnesium 500 mg, zinc 25 mg, glutamic acid HCl 100 mg

  • 4 calcium forms (including carbonate) and 3 magnesium forms (including oxide), no ratio per form (totals are listed)
  • 25 mg zinc — over twice the daily value, easily overlaps with other supplements
  • No vitamin D; herbs like alfalfa and dandelion are only minor ingredients with no amounts listed
  • Label says 4 a day (1,000 mg calcium)

For the same price, choose a Cal-Mag-D that lists each form clearly

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsSpring Valley

Calcium Magnesium and Zinc Plus Vitamin D3 Coated Caplets

Calcium carbonate + magnesium oxide + zinc sulfate · Per serving: 1000 mg

3 tablets: calcium 1,000 mg, magnesium 400 mg, zinc 15 mg, D3 600 IU

  • Calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide — cheap basic forms, always take after a meal
  • 333 mg calcium per tablet, 2.5:1 calcium to magnesium, each form listed clearly
  • Label says 3 a day (1,000 mg calcium) — 1 tablet covers supplement needs
  • No price info, so check cost per day on the product page

Price matters, strong stomachs (take after meals)

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsQunol

Calcium Magnesium Zinc 3-in-1 Tablets

Seller info only (form not confirmed)

No amounts in the title — check the label

  • Couldn't find the same product in the label database (NIH DSLD)
  • Title lists no calcium, magnesium or zinc amounts or forms, so it can't be compared
  • Before buying, check the calcium form (citrate/carbonate) and calcium per tablet on the label

People who will check the label themselves before buying

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsKirkland Signature

Calcium Citrate Magnesium and Zinc Tablets

Calcium citrate + magnesium oxide + zinc oxide · Per serving: 500 mg · Cost per day: low

2 tablets: calcium 500 mg, magnesium 80 mg, zinc 10 mg, D3 800 IU, B6 10 mg

  • Calcium citrate is fairly easy on the stomach
  • Only 80 mg magnesium (oxide) in 2 tablets — about 6:1 calcium to magnesium
  • Small amounts of zinc (10 mg), copper, manganese, boron and B6
  • Very low cost per day at 2 tablets

Already taking magnesium separately and want cheap calcium citrate

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsNOW Foods

Calcium & Magnesium Softgels with D-3 & Zinc

Calcium carbonate and citrate + magnesium oxide and citrate blend (ratio not listed) + zinc oxide · Per serving: 667 mg · Cost per day: low

2 tablets: calcium 667 mg, magnesium 333 mg, zinc 25 mg, D3 400 IU

  • Mixes calcium carbonate/citrate and magnesium oxide/citrate with no ratio per form (totals are listed)
  • 25 mg zinc — over twice the daily value, easily overlaps with other supplements
  • 667 mg calcium and 400 IU D3 in 2 tablets

For the same price, choose a Cal-Mag-D that lists each form clearly

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsBluebonnet

Liquid Calcium Magnesium Citrate Plus Vitamin D3 (16 fl oz)

Liquid: calcium citrate + magnesium citrate and aspartate · Per serving: 600 mg · Cost per day: high

1 tablespoon (15 mL): calcium 600 mg, magnesium 300 mg, D3 400 IU (about 31 servings per bottle)

  • Good forms: calcium citrate, and magnesium citrate and aspartate
  • 600 mg calcium per tablespoon — over 500 mg at once, so split into two half-tablespoons
  • 2:1 calcium to magnesium, plus 400 IU D3
  • 1.5 g fructose per tablespoon; higher cost per day than tablets

Trouble swallowing pills, adjusting the amount little by little

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsCountry Life

Target-Mins Calcium Magnesium with Vitamin D Complex Vegan Capsules

5 organic-acid, chelate and hydroxyapatite calcium forms + 5 magnesium forms (including oxide) + D2 · Per serving: 1000 mg · Cost per day: high

4 capsules: calcium 1,000 mg, magnesium 500 mg, D2 400 IU, phosphorus 500 mg

  • No calcium carbonate — citrate, chelate, hydroxyapatite and more
  • 5 magnesium forms include oxide, ratios not listed
  • Vitamin D is D2 400 IU — one step below D3
  • Label says 4 (1,000 mg calcium) — 1–2 capsules cover supplement needs

Avoiding calcium carbonate, prefer capsules

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsRainbow Light

Calcium Complex with Magnesium & Vitamin D3 Tablets

Calcium carbonate, chelate, citrate and malate blend (ratio not listed) + magnesium oxide and aspartate · Per serving: 500 mg · Cost per day: low

1 tablet: calcium 500 mg, magnesium 250 mg, D3 520 IU (label 1–2 tablets)

  • 4 calcium forms (including carbonate), no ratio per form (totals are listed)
  • Nettle, horsetail and spirulina at 20 mg each — token amounts
  • 500 mg calcium, 250 mg magnesium (2:1) and 520 IU D3 per tablet

For the same price, choose a Cal-Mag-D that lists each form clearly

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsSolgar

Calcium Magnesium with Vitamin D3 Tablets

Calcium citrate + magnesium oxide and citrate (ratio not listed) · Per serving: 1000 mg · Cost per day: average

5 tablets: calcium 1,000 mg, magnesium 500 mg, D3 400 IU (200 mg calcium per tablet)

  • Calcium citrate only, fairly easy on the stomach
  • Magnesium mixes oxide and citrate without listing the ratio
  • 200 mg calcium per tablet — label says 5 (1,000 mg), but 1–2 cover supplement needs
  • 2:1 calcium to magnesium, plus 400 IU D3

Wanting calcium citrate and adjusting the dose by tablet count

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsGNC

Calcium Plus 1000 mg with Magnesium & Vitamin D-3 Caplets

Calcium carbonate + magnesium oxide · Per serving: 1000 mg · Cost per day: average

3 tablets: calcium 1,000 mg, magnesium 500 mg, D3 800 IU

  • Calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide — cheap basic forms, always take after a meal
  • 2:1 calcium to magnesium plus 800 IU D3, each form listed clearly
  • Label says 3 a day (1,000 mg calcium) — 1 tablet (333 mg) covers supplement needs

Price matters, strong stomachs (take after meals)

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsBluebonnet

Calcium Magnesium Zinc Plus Vitamin D3 Softgels

Calcium carbonate + magnesium oxide + zinc picolinate in soybean oil softgels · Per serving: 1000 mg · Cost per day: high

3 softgels: calcium 1,000 mg, magnesium 500 mg, zinc 15 mg, D3 400 IU

  • Calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide — cheap basic forms, always take after a meal
  • Zinc is well-absorbed picolinate at a reasonable 15 mg
  • 2:1 calcium to magnesium, plus 400 IU D3
  • Higher cost per day than tablets with the same forms

Find softgels easier to swallow (take after meals)

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsNOW Foods

Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper & Manganese Tablets

Calcium citrate + magnesium oxide and aspartate + zinc, copper and manganese chelates + D2 · Per serving: 600 mg · Cost per day: low

2 tablets: calcium 600 mg, magnesium 300 mg, zinc 15 mg, D2 400 IU, copper 1 mg, manganese 5 mg

  • Calcium citrate only, 300 mg per tablet
  • Magnesium mixes oxide and aspartate without listing the ratio
  • Zinc (15 mg), copper and manganese as chelates in reasonable amounts
  • Vitamin D is D2 400 IU; low cost per day at 2 tablets

Budget calcium citrate, getting Cal-Mag plus zinc in one

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
Depends21st Century

Cal Mag Zinc + D3 Tablets

Calcium carbonate + magnesium oxide + zinc oxide · Per serving: 1000 mg · Cost per day: average

3 tablets: calcium 1,000 mg, magnesium 400 mg, zinc 15 mg, D3 400 IU

  • Calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide and zinc oxide — cheap basic forms, always take after a meal
  • 2.5:1 calcium to magnesium plus 400 IU D3, each form listed clearly
  • Label says 3 a day (1,000 mg calcium) — 1 tablet covers supplement needs
  • 90 count, so a one-month supply at 3 a day

Price matters, strong stomachs (take after meals)

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsCountry Life

Target-Mins Calcium Magnesium Zinc with Vitamin D (1000/500/25 mg) Tablets

4 organic-acid and hydroxyapatite calcium forms + 5 magnesium forms (including oxide) + zinc chelate blend + D2 · Per serving: 1000 mg · Cost per day: high

3 tablets: calcium 1,000 mg, magnesium 500 mg, zinc 25 mg, D2 200 IU, phosphorus 500 mg

  • No calcium carbonate — hydroxyapatite, citrate, aspartate and more
  • 5 magnesium forms include oxide, ratios not listed
  • 25 mg zinc — over twice the daily value, easily overlaps with other supplements
  • Vitamin D is low at D2 200 IU

Avoiding calcium carbonate and not taking a separate zinc supplement

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsPure Encapsulations

Calcium Magnesium (Citrate) Capsules

Calcium citrate + magnesium citrate · Per serving: 240 mg · Cost per day: high

3 tablets: calcium 240 mg, magnesium 240 mg (label 3 tablets, 1–2 times a day)

  • Both calcium and magnesium are citrate only, with almost no other ingredients
  • 240 mg calcium and 240 mg magnesium in 3 tablets (1:1) — right on supplement calcium needs
  • No vitamin D, so you need it separately
  • Only 80 mg calcium per tablet, so many tablets and higher cost per day

Already taking D3 separately and want 1:1 citrate Cal-Mag

View on Amazon Find on iHerb
DependsNature's Bounty

Calcium Magnesium & Zinc Caplets

Calcium carbonate and gluconate + magnesium oxide and gluconate blend (ratio not listed) · Per serving: 333 mg · Cost per day: low

1 tablet: calcium 333 mg, magnesium 133 mg, zinc 8 mg, D3 200 IU

  • Calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide mixed with other forms, no ratio per form (totals are listed)
  • 333 mg calcium per tablet and 2.5:1 calcium to magnesium are fine on their own
  • Low cost per day, but you can't tell how much of each form is inside

For the same price, choose a Cal-Mag that lists each form clearly

View on Amazon Find on iHerb

Not recommended 1

Not recommendedCitracal

Slow Release 1200 Calcium + D3 + Magnesium Caplets

Calcium carbonate + calcium citrate blend (ratio not listed) + magnesium hydroxide · Per serving: 1200 mg · Cost per day: average

2 tablets (at once): calcium 1,200 mg, magnesium 80 mg, D3 1,000 IU

  • Mixes calcium carbonate and citrate without listing the ratio
  • Label says take 2 at once daily — 1,200 mg calcium at once absorbs poorly
  • Only 80 mg magnesium (15:1) — there in name only

For the same price, choose calcium citrate with enough magnesium instead

View on Amazon Find on iHerb

See everything for joint pain →