How many cashews does it take to make 1 oz?

November 27, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the USDA, a standard 1-ounce serving of cashews is approximately 18 whole kernels. This number, however, is an average, as the exact cashew count can vary based on several factors, including the size and grade of the nuts.

Quick Summary

The quantity of cashews in a 1-ounce serving is typically around 18 kernels, though this can range from 15 to 20 depending on nut size. Factors like cashew grade and processing methods influence the final weight and count per ounce. This standard measurement is useful for managing calorie intake and portion sizes.

Key Points

Average is 18 cashews: The standard guideline for a 1-ounce serving is approximately 18 whole cashew kernels.
Size affects the number: The count can range from 15 to 20 nuts per ounce, depending on the cashew's size or grade.
Grading system matters: The cashew industry grades nuts by size; larger nuts (lower grade number) result in a lower count per ounce, while smaller nuts (higher grade number) result in a higher count.
Portion control is important: Since cashews are calorie-dense, tracking a 1-ounce serving is an effective way to practice mindful snacking for weight management.
Use a food scale for precision: For strict dietary purposes, measuring by weight with a kitchen scale provides the most accurate portion size.
Processing influences the final product: Factors like moisture content, determined during the drying stages, can slightly affect the final weight of each kernel.

Understanding the Approximate Count: 15 to 20 Cashews

For most people, a single handful of cashews is often considered a snack. But when you're monitoring your nutrition more closely, it's helpful to know that a 1-ounce serving (or about 28.35 grams) is equivalent to approximately 15 to 20 whole cashews. This slight variation is normal and depends heavily on the specific grade and size of the nuts.

The Role of Cashew Grading in Weight

In the cashew industry, kernels are sorted and graded by size, which directly affects their weight. This is a crucial factor in determining how many cashews you'll find in a 1-ounce portion.

Higher grade number, smaller nut: Grades like 320 or 450 indicate a smaller cashew size. A larger number of these smaller nuts will be needed to reach the 1-ounce mark.
Lower grade number, larger nut: Jumbo-sized cashews, such as grade 180, are larger and heavier. Consequently, you will need fewer of them to achieve a 1-ounce serving.
Broken pieces: If the cashews are broken or in pieces, the count becomes less meaningful. In this case, weight is the only reliable measurement for portion control.

The Importance of Moderation and Portion Control

Cashews are a nutrient-dense food, packed with healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals like copper and magnesium. However, they are also calorie-dense. An ounce of cashews contains around 157 to 170 calories, so managing portion size is key for weight management. By understanding how many cashews are in one ounce, you can be more mindful about your snacking habits.

The Journey from Fruit to Kernel

It is also fascinating to consider the intensive processing cashews undergo before they are ready to be weighed and consumed. The process includes several stages that can slightly affect the final weight and moisture content of the nut.

Harvesting and drying: The raw cashew nut, still attached to the cashew apple, is harvested and sun-dried to reduce its moisture content.
Shelling and steaming: The shell, which contains a caustic resin, is removed after steaming to make the process safer and prevent damage to the kernel.
Peeling and drying: The thin, brown seed coat (testa) is peeled off after another drying process.
Grading and packing: The kernels are then graded by size and packed, often using inert gases to preserve freshness.

Comparison Table: Cashew Grades and Count

To better illustrate how nut size impacts the count per ounce, here is a comparison based on standard industry grades. The count refers to the approximate number of whole cashews per pound, so we can extrapolate the count for a 1-ounce serving (16 ounces per pound).


Cashew Grade	Description	Approximate Count Per Pound	Approximate Cashews Per 1 oz	Effect on Count
180	King-size / Jumbo	180	11-12	Lower count due to larger size
240	Standard / Medium	240	15	Standard industry average
320	Small	320	20	Higher count due to smaller size
450	Very Small	450	28-30	Significantly higher count for the same weight

Conclusion: The Final Count is an Estimate

Ultimately, the question of how many cashews does it take to make 1 oz has an approximate answer: around 18 whole nuts. However, the precise number is not static. It is a variable that is determined by the size grading standards set by the cashew industry. For practical purposes, using a food scale is the most accurate method for portion control, but for a general estimation, the 18-nut rule is a reliable starting point. This knowledge allows for more informed and mindful snacking, enabling you to better track your nutritional intake.

Helpful Resources

For more detailed information on cashew processing and industry standards, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) provides valuable resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

The weight of a single, raw cashew nut is typically around 1.5 grams, but this can vary depending on its size and grade.

An ounce of cashews is considered a moderate serving size. It provides a good amount of healthy fats and protein without being excessively high in calories.

A 1-ounce serving of raw, unsalted cashews contains approximately 157 calories. The calorie count may be slightly higher for roasted or flavored varieties.

Cashew counts can vary by brand because different processors use nuts of varying sizes. The grading system (e.g., 180, 240, 320) classifies nuts by the number per pound, so the specific grade used will alter the number of nuts in an ounce.

For consistent and accurate portioning, it is best to measure cashews by weight, rather than by counting individual nuts, especially if they are broken.

Roasting can affect the moisture content and overall density of cashews, which can slightly alter the weight and thus the count per ounce, though the change is usually minor.

Nutrition experts often recommend consuming around 15 to 20 cashews per day, which corresponds to the standard 1-ounce serving size.