The five most commonly discussed collagen types are Types 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Each has a different structure and is found in different tissues:
- Type 1: Skin, bones and tendons
- Type 2: Cartilage
- Type 3: Often found alongside Type 1
- Type 4: Forms supportive networks beneath certain cells
- Type 5: Helps organise the formation of collagen fibres
In this guide, we explain the differences between collagen Types 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, where each type is found and how they relate to bovine, marine and chicken collagen sources.
Collagen Types 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 at a Glance
| Collagen type | Commonly found in | Main structural characteristic | Common collagen source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Skin, bones, tendons and ligaments | Forms strong, densely packed fibres | Bovine and marine |
| Type 2 | Cartilage | Forms a fine supportive network | Chicken cartilage |
| Type 3 | Skin, blood vessels, muscles and organs | Forms thinner, more flexible fibres | Bovine |
| Type 4 | Basement membranes beneath cells | Forms sheet-like networks | Not normally the focus of standard powders |
| Type 5 | Skin, bones, cornea and other tissues | Helps organise Type 1 collagen fibres | May appear in multi-source blends |
What are collagen types?
Collagen is a family of structural proteins rather than one single protein. Scientists have identified numerous collagen types, each with its own molecular structure and role. The Collagen types are traditionally written using Roman numerals, such as Types I, II and III. In this guide, we use the equivalent numbers 1, 2 and 3 because this is how people commonly search for them. Different types are concentrated in different parts of the body.
For example:
- Type 1 is widely found in skin, bones and tendons.
- Type 2 is primarily associated with cartilage.
- Type 3 commonly occurs alongside Type 1 in softer connective tissues.
- Type 4 forms supportive networks within basement membranes.
- Type 5 helps regulate the formation and organisation of collagen fibres.
The number does not represent a quality ranking. Type 1 is not automatically “better” than Type 2, and Type 5 is not more advanced than Type 3. Each type has a different structure and purpose.
Why do collagen types matter?
Understanding collagen types helps explain why different animal sources may have different collagen profiles. Bovine collagen is commonly associated with Type 1 and Type 3 collagen. Marine collagen is generally rich in Type 1, while chicken cartilage is commonly associated with Type 2.
This does not mean one source is automatically superior. It means the ingredients originate from different tissues and therefore contain different collagen types. Collagen type is one useful point of comparison, but it should be interpreted accurately. A product listing several collagen types does not necessarily contain equal or meaningful quantities of every type. The source and ingredient specification should explain which collagen types are genuinely present.
What is Type 1 collagen?
Type 1 is the most abundant collagen type in the human body. It forms strong, densely packed fibres and is found in tissues that require considerable tensile strength.
Type 1 collagen is commonly present in:
- Skin
- Bones
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Teeth
- Connective tissues
Its fibre-forming structure helps give these tissues strength and organisation. Type 1 is also one of the collagen types most frequently found in animal-derived collagen ingredients. Marine collagen is generally rich in Type 1. Bovine collagen also commonly contains Type 1, often alongside Type 3.
What is Type 2 collagen?
Type 2 collagen is mainly found in cartilage. Cartilage is a smooth and flexible connective tissue found in areas including joints, the nose, ears and parts of the respiratory system. Unlike the densely packed fibres formed by Type 1, Type 2 creates a finer network that helps provide structure within cartilage.
Chicken cartilage and chicken sternum are common commercial sources associated with Type 2 collagen. This source profile distinguishes chicken-derived collagen ingredients from bovine or marine collagen products, which are more commonly associated with other collagen types. Type 2 should not be considered better or worse than Type 1. The two types have different structures and are concentrated in different tissues.
What is Type 3 collagen?
Type 3 collagen commonly occurs alongside Type 1 collagen. It forms thinner fibres and is often found in tissues that require a flexible structural framework.
Type 3 collagen is present in areas including:
- Skin
- Blood vessels
- Muscles
- Internal organs
- Connective tissues
Because Type 1 and Type 3 frequently occur together, they are commonly discussed as a pair. Bovine collagen ingredients are generally associated with both Type 1 and Type 3 collagen. Their combined presence is one of the main characteristics of the bovine collagen profile. For a more detailed explanation of their differences and relationship, read our supporting guide to Type 1 and Type 3 collagen.
What is Type 4 collagen?
Type 4 collagen differs structurally from Types 1, 2 and 3. Rather than forming long fibres, Type 4 collagen creates sheet-like networks. These networks are found in basement membranes. Basement membranes are thin layers of specialised material that support cells and help separate different tissue compartments.
Type 4 collagen is found beneath epithelial and endothelial cells, including in areas such as:
- Skin tissue
- Blood vessels
- Kidneys
- Lungs
- Other organs
Type 4 is important biologically, but it is not normally the main focus of standard collagen peptide powders. Its inclusion in discussions about collagen types helps show that not every collagen type forms the same fibre-like structure.
What is Type 5 Collagen?
Type 5 collagen is a fibril-forming collagen found in smaller quantities than Type 1. Although it is less abundant, it plays an important organisational role by helping regulate the formation, size and arrangement of collagen fibres particularly fibres containing Type 1 collagen.
Where Is Type 5 Collagen Found?
Type 5 collagen is found in several tissues throughout the body, including:
- Skin
- Hair
- Bones
- The cornea of the eye
- Placental tissue
- Other connective tissues
What Are the Sources of Type 5 Collagen in Supplements?
Type 5 collagen may appear in multi-collagen supplements containing ingredients from several animal sources. Whether a product contains Type 5 depends on the tissues and ingredients used in its formulation. However, seeing Type 5 listed on a label does not automatically mean a collagen product is more complete or higher quality. It is also important to consider the amount provided, the ingredient source and whether the manufacturer clearly explains the product’s collagen profile.
For hydrolysed products, collagen has been broken into smaller peptides. Therefore, the listed collagen type generally describes the original source material rather than suggesting that complete native Type 5 collagen fibres remain intact in the finished powder.
Type 1 vs Type 2 collagen
Type 1 and Type 2 collagen have different structures and tissue distributions. Type 1 forms strong fibres and is widely present in skin, bones, tendons and ligaments. Type 2 forms a finer network and is primarily found in cartilage.
This distinction also appears in commercial collagen sources:
- Bovine and marine collagen are commonly associated with Type 1.
- Chicken cartilage is commonly associated with Type 2.
The correct comparison is therefore not which numbered collagen type is universally best. It is how the types differ and which source naturally contains them.
Type 1 vs Type 3 collagen
Type 1 and Type 3 collagen are often found together but are not identical. Type 1 forms thicker and stronger fibres. Type 3 forms thinner fibres that help create a more flexible structural network. Both types can occur within skin and other connective tissues, but their relative amounts and functions differ.
Bovine collagen commonly contains both types, which is why Type 1 and Type 3 frequently appear together on bovine collagen labels. Our dedicated guide to collagen Type 1 and Type 3 explores this pairing in greater detail.
Type 1 vs Type 4 Collagen
Type 1 and Type 4 collagen differ in both structure and location. Type 1 forms strong fibres and is widely found in skin, bones, tendons and ligaments. Type 4 does not form the same long fibres. Instead, it creates sheet-like networks within basement membranes beneath certain cells.
Type 1 is commonly associated with bovine and marine collagen ingredients. Type 4 is biologically important but is not normally the main collagen type promoted in standard hydrolysed collagen peptide powders. Therefore, the difference is not simply that one type is better than the other: they have different structures and roles within the body.
Collagen types by source
The collagen type profile of an ingredient is closely connected to its animal source and the tissue used.
Bovine collagen
Bovine collagen comes from cattle and is commonly produced from collagen-rich material such as hide. It is generally associated with:
- Type 1 collagen
- Type 3 collagen
Marine collagen
Marine collagen comes from fish-derived materials, commonly skin or scales. It is generally associated with:
- Type 1 collagen
Chicken collagen
Chicken collagen is commonly obtained from cartilage or sternum material. It is generally associated with:
- Type 2 collagen
These are broad source profiles. Exact specifications can vary according to the tissue and manufacturing process used.
Marine collagen vs bovine collagen types
Marine and bovine collagen are often compared because both are widely used in collagen products. Their most obvious difference is the source:
- Marine collagen comes from fish.
- Bovine collagen comes from cattle.
Their common collagen profiles also differ:
- Marine collagen is generally rich in Type 1.
- Bovine collagen commonly contains Type 1 and Type 3.
This source-level distinction is useful, but it does not make either ingredient universally better. Dietary suitability, allergies, sourcing preferences and the individual ingredient specification can all influence which source is appropriate.
For the complete source comparison, read our guide to marine collagen vs bovine collagen.
What is multi-collagen?
Multi-collagen products combine collagen ingredients from more than one source. A blend might use bovine, marine, chicken or eggshell membrane ingredients to provide several collagen types.
Depending on its sources, a multi-collagen blend may be marketed as containing Types 1, 2, 3, 5 or other collagen types.
However, a longer list of collagen types does not automatically indicate a better product.
A label may identify several types without explaining:
- The amount of each source included
- The proportion of each collagen type
- Which tissue each ingredient comes from
- Whether every source is present in a meaningful quantity
A single-source product can provide clearer information about its collagen profile, while a multi-source product may provide a broader mixture. The usefulness of either approach depends on the transparency of the formulation.
Does hydrolysis change the collagen type?
Hydrolysis breaks collagen proteins into shorter peptide fragments. The original source may be associated with particular collagen types, but the finished hydrolysed ingredient no longer retains the complete native collagen structure in exactly the same form.
This is why product descriptions should be worded carefully. A bovine collagen peptide powder may be described as being derived from Type 1 and Type 3 collagen sources. However, it should not be presented as though complete native Type 1 and Type 3 fibres remain unchanged after hydrolysis.
The collagen type describes the origin and profile of the source material, while hydrolysis describes how that material has been processed.
Which Collagen Type Should You Choose?
The most appropriate collagen source depends on dietary suitability, allergies, sourcing preferences and the information provided by the manufacturer. Bovine collagen is commonly associated with Types 1 and 3, marine collagen is generally rich in Type 1, and chicken cartilage is commonly associated with Type 2. However, the number of collagen types listed on a product does not automatically determine its quality.
When comparing products, also consider the ingredient source, serving size, additional ingredients, certification and whether the manufacturer clearly explains what the product contains.
How Many Types of Collagen Are There?
Scientists have identified at least 28 collagen types in the human body. However, Types 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are among the most commonly discussed because of where they are found and their different structural roles.
The Final Say
Collagen types are classifications describing different members of the collagen protein family.
Types 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 have distinct structures and are found in different tissues. Type 1 forms strong fibres, Type 2 is concentrated in cartilage, Type 3 commonly occurs beside Type 1, Type 4 creates supportive networks and Type 5 helps organise collagen fibres.
Animal-derived collagen ingredients can also have different type profiles. Bovine collagen is commonly associated with Types 1 and 3, marine collagen with Type 1 and chicken cartilage with Type 2.
Understanding these differences helps customers interpret product descriptions more accurately. However, collagen types should not be treated as a simple ranking system or as proof that a longer list is automatically better.
For more detail within this cluster, read our guides to Type 1 and Type 3 collagen and marine collagen vs bovine collagen.
