If you’ve ever wondered what the numbers on a package of or a sign for shrimp meant, read on. This buyers guide to shrimp will help take away the confusion about shrimp sizes.
Sizing Numbers and the “U” Designation
Shrimp are sold by their count per pound. 16/20 means that there are 16 to 20 shrimp in a pound. The “U” in count number designates how many shrimp it would take to make up a pound; the “U” stands for ‘under’. Therefore, U12 (colossal size shrimp) means it takes 12 shrimp or less of that size to make up a pound – or 12 shrimp or under in a pound. Some processors use a different numbering system for their shrimp, but most use a standard sizing chart (for example: Zirlotts counts 16/20 as Extra Large while the Cajun Grocer calls them Jumbo).
Market Shrimp Sizing Guide
Market Name |
Shrimp Count Per Pound |
| Extra Colossal | U10 |
| Colossal | U12 |
| Colossal | U15 |
| Extra Jumbo | 16/20 |
| Jumbo | 21/25 |
| Extra Large | 26/30 |
| Large | 31/35 |
| Medium Large | 36/40 |
| Medium | 41/50 |
| Small | 51/60 |
| Extra Small | 61/70 |
| Tiny | Over 70 |
Shrimp Processing Terminology
- Head On: Shrimp has shells, head, and tails still on.
- Headless / Shell On: Processed to remove the head only.
- Tail On: Deveined shrimp with the tails still on.
- Tail Off: Deveined shrimp with the tails removed.
- Tail On CPD: Shrimp that is cooked, peeled, deveined, with the tail segment left on.
- P&D: Shrimp peeled and deveined.
- PUD: Shrimp that is peeled, but NOT deveined (undeveined).
- Butterfied: Shrimp peeled and deveined, and deeply split along the back but not deeply enough to cut into to two separate pieces. This makes the shrimp flatter and quicker to cook if they are bigger shrimp, and makes them look larger if they are smaller ones. The last part of the shell is often left on, and whole, making it easy to prep in the kitchen.
- IQF: Individually quick frozen.