How many peanuts are 28 grams? A simple guide to portion size

November 23, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the USDA, a standard serving of peanuts is one ounce, which is equivalent to 28 grams. For most people, this translates to about 28 shelled peanuts, though the exact number can vary depending on the peanut's size and type. This guide will help you understand precisely how many peanuts are 28 grams and how to measure your portion accurately.

Quick Summary

A 28-gram serving of peanuts is typically around 28 individual shelled peanuts, but weight can fluctuate based on variety and preparation. Accurate portioning is crucial for managing calorie and nutrient intake. Using a digital food scale is the most precise method for measuring any food by weight.

Key Points

Average Count: A standard 28-gram serving is typically equivalent to about 28 individual shelled peanuts.
Variety Matters: The count can fluctuate based on the peanut's variety; smaller Spanish peanuts will have a higher count per ounce than larger Virginia peanuts.
Measure Accurately: For precise dietary tracking, use a digital food scale to measure out 28 grams. The 'handful' method is a useful, quick estimate.
Nutritional Value: Beyond the count, a 28-gram serving provides 7 grams of protein, healthy fats, and important micronutrients like niacin, magnesium, and vitamin E.
Portion Control is Key: Due to their calorie density, accurate portioning of peanuts is important for those managing their weight or tracking calorie intake.

Understanding the 28-gram peanut serving

For many foods, portion sizes are a rough estimate, but with calorie-dense snacks like peanuts, precision is key for a balanced diet. A 28-gram serving is a widely accepted standard, but what does this look like in reality? The number of peanuts can change dramatically based on their size and whether they are whole, broken, or a specific variety like Virginia or Spanish.

The average count

Most nutritional information from sources like the Cleveland Clinic and Verywell Fit indicates that an ounce (28 grams) of dry-roasted, shelled peanuts is approximately 28 individual nuts. This is a good general guideline for quick reference, but it assumes an 'average' sized peanut. In practice, nuts can vary significantly in size, meaning your handful may contain more or fewer nuts for the same weight.

Factors that influence the count

Several factors can alter how many peanuts are in a 28-gram portion. The type of peanut, its moisture content, and whether it is a whole kernel or a piece all play a role. For example, smaller Spanish peanuts will have a higher count per ounce than larger Virginia peanuts.

Peanut Variety: Larger peanuts, such as Virginia types, will result in a lower count per 28 grams. Smaller Spanish peanuts will result in a higher count.
Processing: Dry-roasted peanuts may have a slightly different weight than raw peanuts due to moisture loss during the roasting process.
Pieces vs. Whole: If a bag contains many broken pieces, the number of 'pieces' per 28 grams will be higher than the number of whole peanuts.

How to measure 28 grams accurately

While a rough estimate is fine for casual snacking, those focused on precise calorie tracking or dietary plans should use more accurate methods. The most reliable tool is a digital food scale, which removes all guesswork from the process.

Use a digital food scale: This is the gold standard for accuracy. Place a small bowl on the scale, press the 'tare' button to zero it out, and add peanuts until the display reads 28 grams.
Measure by the handful: As a quick and easy visual reference, a 28-gram serving is often equated to a small handful. This method is less precise but works well for a general serving estimate when a scale isn't available.
Count manually: For complete accuracy without a scale, you can count out 28 individual shelled peanuts. Just be mindful of the size variations, which may mean the total weight is slightly more or less than 28 grams.

Comparison: 28 grams vs. a standard serving

To illustrate the importance of accuracy, let's compare the count of 28 grams across different peanut varieties and preparations. This table highlights how the same weight can represent a different number of nuts.


Peanut Type	Serving Size (28g) Estimate	Calorie Estimate (approx.)	Notes
Dry-Roasted, Shelled	28 peanuts	166 calories	Standard, widely-cited average.
Raw, Shelled	Varies (often 25-30)	161 calories	Raw peanuts can hold more moisture, slightly affecting weight.
Spanish Peanuts (Small)	30-40 peanuts	~160-170 calories	Smaller peanuts mean more pieces per gram.
Virginia Peanuts (Large)	20-25 peanuts	~160-170 calories	Larger size means fewer pieces per gram.

The nutritional perspective

For those monitoring their intake, understanding what's in a 28-gram serving is as important as the count itself. An average 28-gram portion of peanuts offers a solid nutritional profile. It provides healthy fats, protein, and essential micronutrients.

Protein: A 28-gram serving contains approximately 7 grams of protein, making it a satiating snack option.
Fats: This portion includes around 14 grams of fat, with a significant portion being heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
Vitamins and Minerals: Peanuts are a good source of niacin, magnesium, and vitamin E, all of which contribute to overall health.

Conclusion

While the simple answer to 'how many peanuts are 28 grams' is approximately 28 individual, shelled peanuts, this number can vary depending on the variety and size. For the most accurate measurement, especially for dietary purposes, a digital food scale is the best tool. For a quick snack, the 'handful' rule provides a decent estimation. Understanding these nuances empowers you to make more informed choices about your snacking habits and portion control.

For more detailed nutritional breakdowns of peanuts and other legumes, consult the USDA food database or reliable nutrition websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

28 grams is equivalent to one ounce, which is a common standard unit of measurement for food serving sizes in the United States and other regions.

Larger varieties like Virginia peanuts are often sold in the shell or as gourmet snacks, while smaller varieties like Spanish peanuts are frequently used in candy or have reddish skins. The packaging may also indicate the type.

No, 28 grams of unshelled peanuts would yield a significantly smaller amount of actual peanuts. The shell adds substantial weight. An average rule of thumb is that the edible peanut makes up about 70% of the total weight.

Roasting can cause some moisture loss, slightly altering the final weight compared to raw peanuts. However, this difference is usually minimal and doesn't drastically change the number of peanuts in a 28-gram serving.

It is less reliable than using a digital scale due to natural size variation between peanuts. While an average count can be helpful for rough estimates, a scale ensures perfect accuracy for those with strict dietary goals.

A 28-gram serving contains approximately 160-170 calories, depending on whether they are raw, dry-roasted, or flavored. This value can vary slightly with different preparations.

A 'handful' is a non-standard measurement, but it is often used as a rough approximation for a 28-gram (one-ounce) serving. It can vary widely depending on the size of the person's hand.