C18 HPLC column comparison table
Updated 2026-11-10
Most reversed-phase methods specify a USP L1 (C18) column, but "C18" covers phases with very different silica, bonding density, end-capping and pH stability. The tables below put the most frequently ordered C18 columns side by side using the specifications published by the source for each part number. Prices are source list prices (USD) on the retrieval date; "—" means the source did not list that value.
4.6 x 150 mm, 5 µm (the classic HPLC format)
4.6 x 250 mm, 5 µm (pharmacopoeial and impurity methods)
2.1 x 100 mm UHPLC and core-shell C18
| Column | Part number | Particle size | Pore size | pH range | Carbon load | End-capped | USP classification | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 Column, 2.1 x 100 mm, 1.7 µm | 186002352 | 1.7 µm | 130 Å | 1 - 12 | 18.0% | yes | L1 | $1,390.00 USD |
| Waters ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 Column, 2.1 x 100 mm, 1.8 µm | 186003539 | 1.8 µm | 100 Å | 2 - 8 | 11.0% | yes | L1 | $1,390.00 USD |
| Agilent InfinityLab Poroshell 120 EC-C18 Column, 2.1 x 100 mm, 2.7 µm | 695775-902 | 2.7 µm | 120 Å | 2 - 8 | 1.0% | yes, double | L1 | $997.00 USD |
| Phenomenex Kinetex C18 Core-Shell Column, 2.1 x 100 mm, 2.6 µm, 100 Å | 00D-4462-AN | 2.6 µm | 100 Å | 1.5 - 8.5 | 12.0% | — | L1 | $1,459.11 USD |
| Shimadzu Shim-pack Velox C18 Core-Shell Column, 2.1 x 100 mm, 2.7 µm | 227-32009-03 | 2.7 µm | — | — | — | — | — | Quote |
| Shimadzu Shim-pack Scepter C18 UHPLC Column, 2.1 x 100 mm, 1.9 µm | 227-31012-05 | 1.9 µm | — | — | — | — | — | Quote |
| Shimadzu Shim-pack GIST C18 UHPLC Column, 2.1 x 100 mm, 2 µm | 227-30001-04 | 2 µm | — | — | — | — | — | Quote |
How to read the table
- pH range — hybrid-particle (XBridge, ACQUITY BEH) and some modern phases (YMC-Triart) tolerate roughly pH 1–12, which opens high-pH methods for basic drugs. Classic silica C18s are typically limited to about pH 2–8.
- Pore size — 80–130 Å suits small molecules; peptides and proteins need wider pores.
- Carbon load & end-capping — higher carbon load usually means more retention for hydrophobic analytes; thorough end-capping reduces tailing of bases.
- Aqueous stability — for methods starting at 100% aqueous mobile phase, choose a phase designed for it, such as Waters Atlantis T3 C18 HPLC Column, 4.6 x 150 mm, 5 µm, 100 Å (
186003747), Waters ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 Column, 2.1 x 100 mm, 1.8 µm (186003539) or YMC-Pack ODS-AQ HPLC Column, 4.6 x 250 mm, 5 µm, 12 nm (AQ12S05-2546WT).
Not sure which to pick? Read How to Choose an HPLC Column or browse all HPLC & UHPLC columns.
Need a different dimension or phase? Send us the part number and we will quote it.