Research Reference
What Is Cardarine (GW-501516)? Complete Research Guide
Cardarine, also written GW-501516, is one of the most searched and most misunderstood research compounds. This guide explains what Cardarine is: its identity, classification, formats, specifications and sourcing standards, written entirely as research reference. Nothing here describes any use, function or outcome, because none of that applies to a research material.
Here is the short version. Cardarine and GW-501516 are the same compound. It is classified as a PPAR-delta receptor agonist - not a SARM - and in the UK it is supplied for research purposes only.
Key Takeaways
- Cardarine and GW-501516 are the same compound - one is the common name, one is the development code.
- Cardarine is not a SARM - it is classified as a PPAR-delta receptor agonist.
- It is sold in two research formats - liquid and capsules - which differ in handling and measurement.
- Purity is the deciding factor - look for 99%+ verified by independent third-party testing with a COA.
- Nxt Level Labz supplies Cardarine as a liquid, third-party tested and dispatched same day before 4PM.
What Is Cardarine (GW-501516)?
Cardarine is a research compound classified in the scientific literature as a PPAR-delta receptor agonist. It has been documented in published research since the 1990s and is supplied strictly for laboratory research purposes only.
PPAR-delta stands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta. Naming the receptor is a chemical classification only - it identifies the compound's category, in the same way a class label identifies any research material, and is included here purely for accurate identification.
Cardarine and GW-501516 - the Same Compound, Different Names
There is no difference between Cardarine and GW-501516. "Cardarine" is the common name; "GW-501516" is the development code assigned during early pharmaceutical research. Papers and product listings use the two interchangeably.
Names and Codes You Will See
This compound appears under several spellings, and knowing them helps when searching the literature:
- Cardarine - the common name.
- GW-501516, GW501516, GW 501516 - the development code, with or without hyphen or space.
- GW-1516 - a shortened form seen in some records.
When sourcing Cardarine, the name on the Certificate of Analysis should match one of these recognised forms - a small but useful check on documentation accuracy.
Is Cardarine a SARM?
No. Cardarine is not a SARM. It is classified as a PPAR-delta receptor agonist, which is a separate chemical class from selective androgen receptor modulators.
SARMs are catalogued against the androgen receptor. Cardarine is catalogued against the PPAR-delta receptor. The reason the two are so often confused is that Cardarine is frequently sold and discussed alongside SARMs - but being listed next to a group does not place a compound in it. For the full explanation, see our dedicated guide: Is Cardarine a SARM?
Cardarine Formats: Liquid and Capsules
Cardarine is supplied in two research formats: liquid and capsules. The difference is one of handling and measurement in a research setting. Nxt Level Labz supplies Cardarine as a liquid.
How Liquid and Capsule Research Formats Differ
Liquid Cardarine is already in solution, which lets researchers measure precise volumes in fine increments. That supports accuracy and repeatability across a research protocol. Capsules contain a fixed, pre-set amount per unit, which removes that flexibility.
Cardarine Liquid Concentration and Volume
Liquid Cardarine is described by its concentration and bottle volume - for example, a stated milligrams-per-millilitre figure in a fixed-volume bottle. The concentration on the product should match the figure on the Certificate of Analysis. A mismatch is a documentation red flag worth checking before buying.
Cardarine Specifications and Chemical Reference Data
The table below sets out standard reference data for Cardarine. Figures can vary between sources, so always confirm the exact values against the authoritative record on PubChem.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Compound | Cardarine (GW-501516) |
| CAS number | 317318-70-0 |
| Molecular formula | C21H18F3NO3S2 |
| Molecular weight | ~453.5 g/mol |
| Compound class | PPAR-delta receptor agonist |
| Appearance | Clear solution in liquid format |
| Storage | Cool, dry, away from direct light |
| Supplied for | Laboratory research purposes only |
For the full published record, the standard index is the PubMed GW501516 listing. This page does not restate study findings; it points to where the literature can be read in full.
How to Buy Cardarine in the UK Safely
Sourcing should rest on verifiable standards, not marketing language. The points below are what actually matter.
What to Look For in a UK Cardarine Supplier
- Verified purity - 99%+, independently third-party tested.
- An accessible Certificate of Analysis - viewable, not just referenced.
- Liquid format - for precise volume measurement in protocols.
- UK-based dispatch - same-day where possible, with tracked delivery.
- Research-only positioning - no human-use language anywhere on the site.
Third-Party Testing and Certificates of Analysis (COA)
A Certificate of Analysis records a compound's purity and identity. The benchmark for research-grade Cardarine is 99%+ purity, verified by HPLC through an independent third-party laboratory. A manufacturer's own certificate alone is a weaker standard than independent re-testing. All compounds stocked by Nxt Level Labz are independently third-party tested, with a COA available for verification.
How to Check a COA Is Genuine
A genuine COA names the testing laboratory, the analytical method, the compound, and the measured purity. Stronger suppliers publish their COAs openly, and some add QR codes or lab portals so a certificate can be traced back to the testing source. Confirm the compound name on the COA matches the product, and that the document is recent.
Same-Day Dispatch and Tracked UK Delivery
Dispatch speed matters on research timelines. Nxt Level Labz dispatches orders placed before 4PM the same working day, using tracked UK delivery.
View Cardarine UK
See concentration, purity, and the Certificate of Analysis on the product page.
Is Cardarine Legal in the UK?
Cardarine is legal to buy and sell in the UK when it is supplied strictly for research purposes only. It is not approved for human consumption and is not licensed as a medicine or a food supplement. This is why compliant suppliers frame everything around laboratory research and supply products clearly documented as not for human or animal consumption.
Maintaining that research-only framing is not a marketing choice - it reflects the actual regulatory status of the compound. Any source presenting Cardarine as something to consume, or attaching any use, function or benefit to it, is misrepresenting both the compound and its lawful basis for sale.
How to Store Cardarine Liquid
Correct storage protects the integrity of the compound between receipt and use in the laboratory. Store Cardarine liquid in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and keep it out of reach of children. Handle it in line with good laboratory practice. Refrigeration is recommended for longer-term storage to help maintain stability over time.
Cardarine (GW-501516) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cardarine (GW-501516)?
Cardarine, also written GW-501516, is a research compound classified in the scientific literature as a PPAR-delta (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta) agonist. It is supplied by Nxt Level Labz strictly for laboratory research purposes only.
Is Cardarine a SARM?
No. Cardarine is classified as a PPAR-delta receptor agonist, not a selective androgen receptor modulator. SARMs act on the androgen receptor, whereas Cardarine does not.
What does GW-501516 mean?
GW-501516 is the development code for the compound commonly known as Cardarine. GW-501516, GW501516 and GW 501516 all refer to the same molecule.
What is the difference between Cardarine liquid and capsules?
Liquid Cardarine allows precise volume measurement for repeatable research protocols, while capsules hold a fixed pre-set amount per unit. Nxt Level Labz supplies Cardarine in liquid format, independently third-party tested to 99%+ purity.
What purity should research-grade Cardarine have?
The benchmark is 99%+ purity, verified by independent third-party HPLC testing, with a Certificate of Analysis available for verification.
Is Cardarine legal in the UK?
Cardarine is legal to buy and sell in the UK when supplied strictly for research purposes only. It is not approved for human consumption or licensed as a medicine or supplement.
Where can I buy Cardarine liquid in the UK?
Nxt Level Labz supplies lab-tested Cardarine (GW-501516) liquid in the UK, independently verified to 99%+ purity with Certificate of Analysis documentation, for research purposes only.
Related Research Compound Guides
For a complete UK research-compound reference library, these guides sit alongside this one:
About the Author & How This Guide Was Researched
This guide was written and is maintained by the Nxt Level Labz Research Team, compiled from primary chemical records including PubChem and reviewed against our research-only compliance standards before publication.
Nxt Level Labz is a UK-based supplier of liquid research compounds, built around independent third-party testing, accessible Certificates of Analysis, and strict research-only positioning. Every product is supplied for laboratory research purposes only and is documented as not for human or animal consumption.
To recap: Cardarine and GW-501516 are the same research compound, classified as a PPAR-delta receptor agonist rather than a SARM, sold in the UK for research purposes only, where verified purity and an accessible COA matter most. For lab-tested Cardarine liquid from a transparent, UK-based, third-party-tested source, view the Cardarine UK page.
