Shrimp Sizes Explained
Everything you need to know about shrimp sizes! This shrimp size guide breaks it all down, including a full shrimp count size chart, how many shrimp are in a pound, and the best size for your favorite shrimp recipes.
Whether you’re making shrimp tacos, shrimp and grits, or shrimp creole, this guide will show you how to pick the best size shrimp for your dish.
How Shrimp Sizes are Measured
The numbers listed on shrimp indicate the number of shrimp per pound, sometimes called the “count per pound.”
- Lower numbers indicate larger shrimp.
- Higher numbers indicate smaller shrimp.
The letter U in front of the number means there are under that number of shrimp per pound. These will be some of the largest shrimp. For example, 21-25 shrimp will have 21-25 shrimp per pound. U-15 shrimp will have under 15 shrimp per pound.
Sometimes you will also see terminology like large, jumbo, or colossal. Here is a list of the shrimp size labels from smallest to largest:
Extra small < small < medium < large < extra large < jumbo < extra jumbo < colossal < extra colossal
It’s important to note that the size names and numbers are not standard across all shrimp sellers, so sometimes Jumbo may be listed as 16-20 on some brands and 21-25 on others. This also might depend if the shrimp are peeled, shell on, or head on. Shrimp with the head on will take up more space so there will be less per pound.
See the shrimp sizes chart below to see which size shrimp are best for your recipe.
Shrimp Size Chart
Shrimp sizes aren’t standard across all brands, so some of these numbers may vary depending on where you are buying from.
| Shrimp Size | #/Pound | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Colossal | U-10 | grilling, skewers, seafood platters |
| Colossal | U-15 | grilling, skewers, seafood platters |
| Extra Jumbo | 16-20 | grilling, shrimp skewers, BBQ shrimp, shrimp cocktail, stuffed shrimp |
| Jumbo | 21-25 | grilling, shrimp skewers, BBQ shrimp, shrimp cocktail, fried shrimp, stuffed shrimp |
| Extra Large | 26-30 | blackened shrimp, shrimp pasta, shrimp tacos, shrimp étouffée, shrimp creole, shrimp stew, fried shrimp |
| Large | 31-35 | shrimp pasta, shrimp tacos, shrimp étouffée, shrimp creole, shrimp stew, fried shrimp, shrimp and grits, shrimp remoulade |
| Medium-Large | 36-40 | soup, shrimp bisque, gumbo, shrimp pasta, stir fry, salads, tacos, shrimp and grits |
| Medium | 41-50 | soup, shrimp bisque, seafood gumbo, salads, shrimp tacos |
| Small | 51-60 | shrimp fried rice, spring rolls, seafood stuffing, shrimp and mirliton casserole, popcorn shrimp, shrimp deviled eggs |
| Extra Small | 61+ | Shrimp salad, fried rice, shrimp dips, seafood spreads |
Lauren’s Tip
Buy head on shrimp when you can find them. The heads make the best homemade shrimp stock that enhances the flavor your favorite seafood dishes.
Choosing the Right Size Shrimp for Your Recipe
Whether you’re making a shrimp étouffée, shrimp tacos, or shrimp cocktail, selecting the right size shrimp ensures the best texture, presentation, and proper cooking time of your dish. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right size.
- Soups and stews: Use small to large shrimp (41-50, 36-40, or 31-35). Bite-sized shrimp work best since they’ll be eaten with a spoon.
- Tacos, pasta, stir-frys: Stick to medium or large shrimp (31-40 count) for easy, one-bite pieces.
- Shrimp cocktail, BBQ shrimp, and stuffed shrimp: Use large to jumbo shrimp (21-30 count) so they’re easy to dip and eat by hand.
- Grilling and skewers: Opt for colossal or jumbo shrimp (U-15 or U-10) for easy handling and best grilling results.
Bigger isn’t always better! Sometimes larger shrimp can me more tough, so take that into consideration when choosing a size for your dish. Need some help on preparing the shrimp once you’ve picked out your perfect size? See How to Peel and Devein Shrimp to make prep a breeze!
How Many Pounds of Shrimp Per Person?
The amount of shrimp per person will depend on the dish you are serving. For appetizers you will need less, and for main courses where shrimp is the main ingredient, you will need more.
- Shrimp boil: Plan for about 1 pound of shrimp per person for a shrimp boil. You may need less if there are also sides served along with corn and potatoes.
- Main course: For dishes like shrimp tacos, shrimp pasta, and shrimp creole, use about ½ pound shrimp per person.
- Appetizers: Appetizers are smaller so you will need about ¼ to ⅓ pounds of shrimp per person.
It’s best to see the individual recipe and serving size to figure out exactly how much shrimp to buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The numbers on shrimp indicate count per pound, or how many shrimp there are per pound. Larger shrimp will have smaller numbers on them, and smaller shrimp are indicated by larger numbers.
The amount of shrimp per pound depends on the size of the shrimp. This is usually indicated by a number on the package. For example 16-20 means there are about 16-20 shrimp per pound, whereas 41-50 means there are between 41 and 50 shrimp per pound.
The U means under, so this label means there are under 10 shrimp per pound, making these very large shrimp.
For shrimp cocktail, you want large enough shrimp to pick up and dip, so at least a jumbo 21-25 size is best.
Shrimp Recipes
Now that you know all about shrimp sizes, you’re ready to choose the perfect shrimp for your next dish! Whether you’re grilling colossal shrimp or stirring medium shrimp into gumbo, the right size makes all the difference. If you found this guide helpful, check out my shrimp recipes below.
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Meet Lauren
I’m the blogger, recipe developer, food photographer, and otherwise food obsessed gal behind Lauren From Scratch. I was born and raised in New Orleans and lived in South Louisiana most of my life. Growing up around Cajun country has instilled a love of food that runs deep in my bones. I am passionate about food and teaching you how to make mouth-watering Louisiana inspired dishes in your own kitchen!
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