Drug Test Panel Sizes Explained (5, 9, 10, 12 Panel)
Content last reviewed 2026-09-12 · Educational information — not medical advice
Quick answer
Panel numbers = substance classes screened: the classic 5-panel (THC, cocaine, amphetamines, PCP, opiates) expands to 9/10/12 adding benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone, MDMA, oxycodone, propoxyphene. More classes = broader coverage at modest price increases.
What each size covers
| Panel | Adds beyond previous |
|---|---|
| 5-panel (DOT standard) | THC · cocaine · amphetamines · PCP · opiates (codeine/morphine/heroin) |
| +6th–9th | benzodiazepines · barbiturates · methadone · propoxyphene (order varies by vendor) |
| 10-panel | + MDMA or oxycodone depending on configuration |
| 12-panel | + oxycodone AND MDMA (common config), sometimes tricyclic antidepressants |
| 14+ | fentanyl, buprenorphine, Kratom, synthetic cannabinoids — vendor-specific territory |
Choosing the right size
Employment baseline: 5–9 suffices for most policies. Healthcare/diversion-sensitive roles: 12+ catching prescription opioids matters. Personal verification: match whatever your external requirement specifies — testing broader wastes money; narrower risks surprises. Court contexts: whatever your conditions enumerate, verbatim.
Configuration gotchas
Vendor configurations differ at identical panel numbers — one company's '10-panel' includes oxycodone while another's swaps in propoxyphene. Read the substance LIST, not the number. Also: fentanyl's omission from most standard panels is the biggest modern gap — request it explicitly where relevant.
Price scaling
5-panel urine $30–60; 9-panel $50–80; 12-panel $60–120; specialty additions $15–40 each. Hair versions scale similarly plus processing premiums. Confirmation testing bills separately whenever triggered.
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Frequently asked questions
Which panel detects kratom?
None of the standard sizes — Kratom needs specialty ordering explicitly.
Does a bigger panel catch MORE THC history?
No — panel SIZE means substance breadth, not detection depth. Cannabis windows depend on usage patterns regardless of panel width.