Sizes of shrimp can be given in many ways, such as jumbo, large, or medium, and counts can be given in many ways, such as 21–25 or 26–30. Here we explain the differences and how to choose the right shrimp for your recipe.
We often hear shrimp called “jumbo”, “large”, “medium” or “small”. However, since shrimp sizes aren’t standardized, a “jumbo” sized shrimp might have different sizes at different stores. This creates some challenges when following recipes since larger shrimp require more cooking time.
To solve this problem, shrimp are sized according to the weight in the U. S. , and a count is used to indicate how many shrimp are in one pound. Shrimp counts are a more accurate way to calculate how many shrimp you need for your recipe.
Shrimp is one of the most popular seafood choices around. Their sweet, briny flavor and versatility make them a staple in many households. When buying shrimp, one of the most common quantities is a half pound. But how much does a half pound of shrimp cost?
The cost of a half pound of shrimp can vary quite a bit based on several factors:
Shrimp Size and Count per Pound
One of the biggest factors affecting the price of shrimp is the size Shrimp are categorized by “count per pound”, which refers to the number of individual shrimp in one pound The smaller the number, the larger the shrimp.
Some common shrimp sizes and counts per pound include
- Extra Colossal (10 shrimp or less per lb)
- Super Colossal (12 or less per lb)
- Colossal (15 or less per lb)
- Extra Jumbo (16-20 per lb)
- Jumbo (21-25 per lb)
- Extra Large (26-30 per lb)
- Large (31-40 per lb)
- Medium (41-50 per lb)
- Small (51-60 per lb)
- Extra Small (61-70 per lb)
- Tiny (71+ per lb)
The Extra Colossal and Super Colossal shrimp can be over 4 inches long, Meanwhile Tiny shrimp are less than 05 inches,
As you might expect, the larger shrimp sizes like Colossal and Extra Jumbo generally cost more per pound compared to smaller shrimp.
Raw vs Cooked
Another factor is whether the shrimp is sold raw or already cooked. Raw shrimp is typically less expensive.
When shrimp is cooked, it can lose around 20-25% of its original weight. So a half pound of cooked shrimp requires more raw shrimp to start. This makes cooked shrimp pricier per pound compared to raw.
Farm Raised vs Wild Caught
How the shrimp was harvested also impacts cost. Farm-raised shrimp is more affordable since it can be produced in large quantities year-round. Wild-caught shrimp is pricier since availability depends on season and location.
Wild shrimp is often viewed as higher quality with a better texture and flavor. So it comes with a higher price tag, especially for large sizes like Colossal and Jumbo.
Buying Options: Fresh vs Frozen
Where you purchase shrimp—and whether it’s fresh or frozen—also affects the final cost.
Fresh shrimp direct from a fish market or seafood counter is more expensive. This is because there’s labor involved with regularly sourcing fresh seafood.
Frozen shrimp is a more budget-friendly option. Large freezer bags of frozen shrimp can be very affordable. Just be sure to thaw properly before cooking.
Shrimp Prices and Cost Ranges
Taking all these factors into account, here are some typical price ranges for a half pound of different shrimp types:
- Extra Colossal or Jumbo Wild Shrimp: $12-$15+
- Colossal or Jumbo Farm-Raised Shrimp: $8-$12
- Extra Large or Large Farm-Raised Shrimp: $6-$10
- Medium or Small Farm-Raised Shrimp: $4-$8
- Tiny Farm-Raised Shrimp: $3-$6
At the low end, farmed tiny shrimp can cost as little as $3 per half pound. While fresh jumbo wild shrimp can cost $15 or more per half pound at the high end.
Saving on Shrimp Costs
Here are some tips to get the best deal when buying shrimp:
- Opt for frozen over fresh to save significantly. Just remember to thaw properly before use.
- Buy larger quantities when possible. Larger bags are often a better value per pound.
- Consider farm-raised instead of wild to cut costs, especially for smaller shrimp.
- Watch for sales and coupons at grocery stores or wholesale clubs.
- Buy in-season varieties when possible for the best price.
- Purchase shell-on shrimp and peel them yourself to potentially save a little.
- Opt for raw over cooked or peeled shrimp.
How Much Shrimp to Buy
When deciding how much shrimp to purchase, here are some general guidelines:
- For appetizers, allow 4-6 pieces per person
- For shrimp-focused main courses, plan on 4 ounces (1/4 lb) per person
- If shrimp is part of a main dish, allow 2-3 ounces per person
- For shrimp platters, offer 1⁄2 pound per 2-3 people
Adjust amounts based on the appetite of your diners. It’s generally better to have extras than not enough.
Get the Best Value for Your Budget
The price of shrimp can fit a wide range of budgets—you just need to choose the right options. Opting for frozen, farmed shrimp cuts costs considerably compared to fresh wild options.
For bargain hunters, bags of tiny salad shrimp offer an affordable way to enjoy shrimp flavors. Or splurge on a special occasion with massive fresh Extra Colossal shrimp.
Whatever your budget, know your shrimp sizing and buying options to get the best value per pound. With smart shopping, you can enjoy delicious shrimp without overspending.
How Many Shrimp in a Pound
It’s also hard to understand why the count goes down as the shrimp get smaller. Huge shrimp may only count 10 per pound, while very small shrimp count 60 per pound.
When reading shrimp package labels, you’ll see numbers like 16/20 or 16-20 count. That means there are between 16 and 20 shrimp per pound. Since bigger shrimp are more expensive, it’s important to know you’re getting the actual size you’re paying for!.
Different kinds of shrimp such as white shrimp, pink shrimp and rock shrimp are usually available in multiple sizes. However, mantis shrimp harvested from the southeast tends to be colossal only.
The table below shows the counts per pound for each shrimp size. For most sizes, a count range is used. A “U” means “under” or “less than” a certain number in pounds for the colossal sizes:
| Shrimp Size | Shrimp Per Pound |
| Extra Small | 61-70 |
| Small | 51-60 |
| Medium | 41-50 |
| Medium Large | 36-40 |
| Large | 31-35 |
| Extra Large | 26-30 |
| Jumbo | 21-25 |
| Extra Jumbo | 16-20 |
| Colossal | Under 15 (U15) |
| Super Colossal | Under 12 (U12) |
| Extra Colossal | Under 10 (U10) |
Note: These numbers are for fresh or frozen shrimp without heads, shell-on or shell-off. Shrimp with heads weigh in one category higher.
What’s the biggest shrimp size? Extra colossal shrimp is the largest size available in seafood markets with counts as large as 5 shrimp per pound. However, there are Asian tiger shrimp that weigh 7-11 ounces each with a count of just 1-2 per pound!
What’s the smallest shrimp? There are extremely small shrimp with counts like 150 per pound or occasionally even 250-350 per pound, usually labeled incorrectly as extra small shrimp!
Shrimp Sizes in Recipes
Each recipe calls for specific shrimp sizes and there’s an element of personal preference. For instance, when making Coconut Shrimp, you might like to make them as one-bite appetizers with medium-sized shrimp or as two-bite appetizers with large shrimp.
Just bear in mind to adjust the cooking time to the different size shrimp, i. e. larger shrimp will need extra cooking time, whereas smaller shrimp will require less cooking time.
For menu planning, it’s sometimes helpful to know how many shrimp you get per serving. Here’s what to expect for a 4-oz (113 gram) serving:
- Colossal shrimp: 1-4 per serving
- Jumbo shrimp: 5-6 per serving
- Large shrimp: 7-9 per serving
- Medium shrimp: 10-12 per serving
- Small shrimp: 13-18 per serving
How Many Shrimp Are in A Pound | What Is The Shrimp Count
How many Jumbo Shrimp in a pound?
Extra jumbo – 16 to 20 pieces of shrimp in a pound. (16/20 count) Jumbo – 21 to 25 pieces of shrimp in a pound. (21/25 count) Extra large – 26 to 30 pieces of shrimp in a pound. (26/30 count) Large – 31 to 40 pieces of shrimp in a pound. (31/40 count) Medium-large – 36 to 40 pieces of shrimp in a pound. (36/40 count)
How many ounces of shrimp are in a pound?
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. The number of shrimp per serving depends on the size of the shrimp.
Which shrimp size is best for cooking?
Extra Colasssal (U/10) and Super Colossal (U/12) shrimp are the largest shrimp sizes for cooking. But, when buying shrimp, be sure to look at the counts per pound. Colossal shrimp can be labeled as such, but have a count per pound of 16 to 20, actually making it Extra Jumbo shrimp.
What is a 16 20 pound bag of frozen shrimp?
This bag of frozen shrimp is labeled “16-20,” which means 16 to 20 shrimp in one pound. Note: some brands may call 16/20 “Jumbo,” while others refer to the same count as “Extra Jumbo.” For this reason, we recommend buying shrimp based on counts vs. their general size names.