What Does 1 Ounce of Shrimp Look Like? A Complete Visual Guide

Shrimp are a delicious and healthy seafood choice packed with protein vitamins and minerals. But if you’ve ever stood in the seafood section scratching your head trying to figure out how much shrimp to buy, you’re not alone.

Shrimp sizes can be confusing with labels listing numbers like 16/20, 21/25 or 31/40. What do these numbers mean and how can you use them to determine what 1 ounce of shrimp looks like? I’ve got you covered.

In this complete visual guide, we’ll look at:

• How shrimp sizes are labeled and what the numbers mean
• A chart detailing the common shrimp sizes
• Examples of what 1 ounce looks like for each shrimp size
• Tips for buying and serving shrimp

Let’s dive in!

How Shrimp Sizes Are Labeled

Shrimp are categorized by “count,” which refers to the number of shrimp per pound. The lower the count, the bigger the shrimp.

For example:

• 16/20 means there are 16 to 20 shrimp in a 1 pound bag
• 21/25 count indicates 21 to 25 shrimp per pound
• 51/60 count equals 51 to 60 shrimp per pound

The bigger the shrimp, the lower the count. Jumbo shrimp around 16/20 are the largest, while small shrimp can have counts over 60.

Some other key things to know:

• The shrimp count is noted in a range since shrimp sizes can vary slightly within a category.
• “U” stands for “under” – so U12 means there are under 12 shrimp per pound.
• Head-on shrimp will weigh more than peeled, so the count may be slightly different.

Now let’s look at a shrimp size chart to visualize the common counts.

Shrimp Size Chart

Here’s a chart summarizing the common shrimp sizes from largest to smallest:

So if you see “large” shrimp with a 31/35 count, you know there will be approximately 31 to 35 shrimp in each pound. The lower numbers mean bigger shrimp.

Now let’s look at examples of what 1 ounce of shrimp looks like for each of these common sizes.

What Does 1 Ounce of Shrimp Look Like?

To give you a visual reference, here are examples of what 1 ounce of peeled, deveined shrimp looks like for different counts:

Jumbo Shrimp (16/20 count)

![Jumbo shrimp][]

• 1 ounce = About 2 jumbo shrimp
• Great for shrimp cocktails and appetizers

Extra Large Shrimp (21/25 count) ![Extra large shrimp][]

• 1 ounce = About 3 extra large shrimp
• Nice size for main dishes and pastas

Large Shrimp (26/30 count)![Large shrimp][]

• 1 ounce = About 4 large shrimp
• Good for stir fries, fajitas, salads

Medium Shrimp (36/40 count)![Medium shrimp][]

• 1 ounce = About 5-6 medium shrimp
• Works well for breaded/fried shrimp

Small Shrimp (41/50 count) ![Small shrimp][]

• 1 ounce = About 8 small shrimp
• Great in soups, rolls, dumplings

As you go up in count, you’ll get more shrimp per ounce since the individual shrimp are smaller. Large shrimp offer a nice middle ground in terms of versatility.

Buying and Serving Tips

Here are some handy tips when buying and serving shrimp:

• Look for fresh, firm shrimp with a mild sea smell. Avoid discolored or slimy shrimp.
• Figure around 4 large shrimp per person for an appetizer, or 8-12 per person for a main dish.
• Adjust serving sizes up if shells are on since head-on shrimp weigh more.
• Size matters! Choose accordingly for your desired use, like big shrimp for grilling skewers.
• Don’t overcook – shrimp cooks fast. Go for 2-3 mins or until pink and curled.
• Mix sizes for visual appeal. Pair jumbo shrimp with smaller ones for a dish like shrimp scampi.
• Shells on or off? Leaving shells on adds flavor but weighs more.

The next time you’re shopping for shrimp, take a quick look at this handy reference. Knowing the shrimp counts and typical serving sizes makes it easy to pick the perfect shrimp for everything from shrimp cocktail appetizers to main courses like garlic butter shrimp or shrimp tacos.