Shrimp sizes and count-per-pound labels

How much is 1 pound of shrimp in kilograms?

One pound of shrimp weighs about 0.45 kilograms, or 453.6 grams. This is a straight weight conversion, so it holds for any shrimp, whether raw, cooked, frozen, shell-on or peeled. In the other direction, 1 kilogram is about 2.2 pounds.

Weight in pounds | Weight in kilograms

0.5 lb | 0.23 kg (227 g)

1 lb | 0.45 kg (453.6 g)

2 lb | 0.91 kg (907 g)

2.2 lb | 1 kg

5 lb | 2.27 kg

Why the unit matters on shrimp count labels

Shrimp sizes are usually sold by count: the number of shrimp it takes to make up one unit of weight. A 16/20 label means roughly 16 to 20 shrimp in that unit. The smaller the count, the larger each shrimp. In the US, the unit is normally the pound. One export-focused guide describes a 20/30 grade as about 20 to 30 shrimp per pound (453.6 grams).

Some sellers count per kilogram instead. One seafood retailer's guide, for example, lists "Large" as around 31/40 shrimp per kilo and "Extra Small" as 60 or more per kilo. Because a kilogram is about 2.2 times heavier than a pound, a per-kilo count is about 2.2 times higher than a per-pound count for shrimp of the same size. If you mix up the two units, you can end up buying shrimp more than twice as large or small as you planned.

Converting counts between pounds and kilograms

To turn a per-pound count into a per-kilo count, multiply both numbers by 2.2. To go the other way, divide by 2.2, or multiply by 0.45. The results below are rounded.

Per-pound count | Approximate per-kilo equivalent

16/20 per lb | about 35/44 per kg

21/25 per lb | about 46/55 per kg

31/40 per lb | about 68/88 per kg

The reverse conversion works the same way. A bag labeled 31/40 per kilo holds roughly 14 to 18 shrimp per pound, which is much larger shrimp than a bag labeled 31/40 per pound.

What to check on the package

• Look for the unit next to the count, such as "/lb", "per lb", "/kg" or "per kilo". Do not assume it is always pounds.
• Check whether the count applies to the shrimp as packed, for example head-on, shell-on or peeled. The supplied sources do not establish how counts shift between these forms, so rely on the label rather than estimating.
• Treat size names like large, jumbo or colossal as seller-specific. The sources show the same word attached to different count ranges, so the numeric count is the more reliable guide.
• Treat counts as approximate ranges, not exact numbers of shrimp.

What this guide cannot confirm

The available evidence does not support a fixed conversion from count to shrimp length in inches. It also does not support a single industry-wide chart that matches size names like jumbo to exact counts. If you need shrimp of a particular physical size, rely on the numeric count and its unit, or ask the seller directly.