Shrimp are sold by count per pound in the United States. The number on the label will indicate the number of shrimp in the package. If it reads 21/25, you know there should be from 21 to 25 shrimp in each pound.
Here is a general list of sizes and weights per pound. The “U” in the list means “under” or “less than.” “.
One thing to keep in mind is that the size designation isnt standard. What one store or vendor might call “Large,” another might call “Jumbo. ” Its best to shop according to count, calculating how many shrimp youll need for each person.
Nutritional factors might come into play as well. In 4 ounces of plain boiled shrimp, there are only about 115 to 120 calories and 1 gram of fat. However, garlic shrimp that is deep-fried or covered in butter will have a lot more calories and fat.
Shrimp are versatile delicious, and easy to cook. Whether you’re making shrimp scampi, searing shrimp on the grill or adding them to salads and pasta dishes, shrimp always add great flavor. But when shopping for shrimp, all the different size labels like colossal, jumbo, and large can get confusing. If you buy 5 shrimp, how many total ounces will you get? Here’s a helpful guide to understanding shrimp sizes and weights.
Shrimp Sizes Defined
Shrimp are typically categorized by “count per pound” which indicates how many individual shrimp make up one pound The bigger the shrimp, the lower the count per pound Here are the common shrimp size names
- Colossal – Under 10 shrimp per pound
- Super Colossal – Under 15 shrimp per pound
- Jumbo – 16 to 20 shrimp per pound
- Extra Jumbo – 21 to 25 shrimp per pound
- Large – 26 to 30 shrimp per pound
- Medium Large – 31 to 35 shrimp per pound
- Medium – 36 to 45 shrimp per pound
- Small – Over 45 shrimp per pound
So colossal shrimp are the biggest since there are less than 10 in a pound, while small shrimp are the smallest with over 45 per pound.
How Big are 5 Jumbo Shrimp?
Let’s say you buy 5 jumbo shrimp, which are sized 16 to 20 count per pound. This means:
- There are 16 to 20 jumbo shrimp in 1 pound
- So each jumbo shrimp weighs about 1/20 of a pound, or around 0.05 pounds
- Since there are 16 ounces in 1 pound, each jumbo shrimp weighs about 0.8 ounces
- For 5 jumbo shrimp, the total weight would be 5 * 0.8 ounces = 4 ounces
So 5 jumbo shrimp would weigh approximately 4 ounces total. That’s about 3/4 ounce per jumbo shrimp.
How Big are 5 Large Shrimp?
For large shrimp, which are 26 to 30 count per pound:
- There are 26 to 30 large shrimp in 1 pound
- Each large shrimp weighs about 1/30 of a pound, or 0.033 pounds
- With 16 ounces per pound, 1 large shrimp weighs around 0.5 ounces
- For 5 large shrimp, the total weight is 5 * 0.5 ounces = 2.5 ounces
So you’ll get around 2.5 ounces for 5 large shrimp, or about 1/2 ounce each.
How Big are 5 Medium Shrimp?
Medium shrimp are 36 to 45 count per pound:
- There are 36 to 45 medium shrimp in 1 pound
- Each medium shrimp weighs about 1/45 of a pound, or 0.022 pounds
- With 16 ounces per pound, 1 medium shrimp is around 0.35 ounces
- For 5 medium shrimp, the total weight is 5 * 0.35 ounces = 1.75 ounces
So 5 medium shrimp would be around 1.75 ounces total, or roughly 0.35 ounces each.
Key Takeaways on 5 Shrimp Ounces
To summarize, if you buy 5 shrimp:
- Jumbo size – You’ll get around 4 ounces total
- Large size – You’ll get about 2.5 ounces total
- Medium size – You’ll get approximately 1.75 ounces total
The bigger the shrimp, the more total ounces you’ll get. Colossal and super colossal shrimp would have even more ounces than jumbo.
Keep in mind that peeled and deveined shrimp weigh slightly less than shrimp sold shell-on since some weight is removed with the shell. Cooked shrimp will also weigh a bit less than raw.
Handy Reference Chart for Shrimp Weights
Use this handy chart as a reference for how many ounces different amounts of shrimp typically weigh:
| Shrimp Count per Pound | Ounces Per Shrimp | 5 Shrimp = Total Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| Colossal (under 10) | ~1 oz | ~5 oz |
| Jumbo (16-20) | 0.8 oz | 4 oz |
| Extra Jumbo (21-25) | 0.6 oz | 3 oz |
| Large (26-30) | 0.5 oz | 2.5 oz |
| Medium Large (31-35) | 0.4 oz | 2 oz |
| Medium (36-45) | 0.35 oz | 1.75 oz |
So when cooking with shrimp, check the size and count per pound to estimate how many ounces you’ll need. This makes it easier to buy and portion shrimp for any recipe.
The next time you purchase shrimp, use this guide to understand the size and know exactly how many ounces to expect. Then get cooking with delicious shrimp dishes!
Appetizer Servings
If you are serving several appetizers, allow 2 to 3 (medium or larger) shrimp per person. Calculate even more shrimp per person if there are no other appetizers on the menu.
A tasty appetizer is battered and deep-fried shrimp with remoulade sauce. However, you might want to serve boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce if you know some of your guests have food allergies or if you are serving a lot of other appetizers.
HolliDay AnyDay: Tipsy Tuesday – How to Understand Shrimp Sizes
FAQ
How many shrimp is 4 oz of shrimp?
How many shrimp are in 1 oz?
How many ounces are five medium shrimp?
How many shrimp are in 8 ounces?
How many ounces are in a pound of shrimp?
According to the FDA, the serving size for seafood, including shrimp, is 3 ounces, cooked. However, shrimp count is the number of pieces in a pound of raw, uncooked shrimp. Because shrimp can lose up to 25% of their weight after cooking, a serving size is 3 ounces cooked, and approximately 4 ounces raw.
What is the difference between prawn and shrimp?
Shrimp and prawns have plenty of similarities, but they are not the same animal. Their differences involve their biology. Shrimp bodies are encased in a sort of accordion shell, with a membrane between the segments. Prawns have a shell where each segment overlaps the one below it. There are no big differences between them when it comes to their nutritional value; they are both a good source of protein, and relatively low in calories.
How many ounces of shrimp per person?
If shrimp is the main entrée, plan to use at least 4 ounces per person, raw (approximately 3 ounces cooked). Some people plan for 6 to 8 ounces per person to have plenty and be on the safe side. If your meal is similar to a shrimp boil where many other ingredients will be added, you can use safely use 4 ounces per person.
How many shrimp are in a serving?
Because shrimp can lose up to 25% of their weight after cooking, a serving size is 3 ounces cooked, and approximately 4 ounces raw. The number of shrimp per serving depends on the size of the shrimp. A serving of tiny salad shrimp (71+ per pound) is close to 17+ shrimp, while a serving of Colossal (U/15) shrimp is 3 to 4 shrimp.