What is a 3 Ounce Serving of Shrimp?

January 10, 2026 •

2 min read

According to the FDA, a 3-ounce portion is the standard serving size for cooked seafood, including shrimp. However, translating this to a visual measure can be tricky, as the number of shrimp in a 3-ounce serving depends entirely on the size of the shrimp you purchase.

Quick Summary

A 3 ounce serving of shrimp is the standard portion size and can be visually approximated by the palm of your hand. The exact number of shrimp will vary depending on their size.

Key Points

Visual Cues: A 3-ounce serving is roughly the size of the palm of your hand or a deck of cards.
Size Varies Count: The number of shrimp in a 3-ounce serving depends on the shrimp's size, which is indicated by the 'count per pound' on the package.
Raw vs. Cooked Weight: Plan for 4 ounces of raw shrimp to get a 3-ounce cooked serving due to water loss during cooking.
Nutritional Value: A 3-ounce portion is low-calorie (approx. 84 calories) and high in lean protein and essential minerals.
Easy Measurement: Without a scale, use the palm-of-your-hand or deck-of-cards comparison to estimate your portion.
Cooking Matters: Different shrimp sizes have different cooking times, so choose the right size for your recipe.

Understanding the 3-Ounce Serving

For many home cooks, knowing what a 3-ounce serving of protein looks like is a matter of guesswork. Fortunately, there are some easy visual cues to help you. A 3-ounce portion of cooked shrimp is roughly the size of the palm of your hand, a standard deck of playing cards, or a tennis ball. This is the recommended portion for a single person as part of a balanced meal.

How Shrimp Size Affects the Count

The biggest variable in determining what a 3-ounce serving looks like is the shrimp size. Shrimp are categorized by 'count per pound' (the number of individual shrimp needed to make a pound), which is often listed on the packaging. A smaller count per pound means larger shrimp.

Here's a general idea of how many shrimp are in a 3-ounce cooked serving based on size:

Extra Colossal (U/10): 2–3 shrimp.
Colossal (U/15): 3–4 shrimp.
Jumbo (21/25): 5–6 shrimp.
Extra-Large (26/30): 6–7 shrimp.
Large (31/40): 8–9 shrimp.
Medium (41/50): 10–12 shrimp.
Small (51/60): 12–15 shrimp.
Tiny (71+): 18+ shrimp.

The Difference Between Raw and Cooked Weight

Shrimp lose about 25% of their weight during cooking due to water loss. To achieve a 3-ounce cooked serving, start with approximately 4 ounces of raw shrimp.

Nutritional Benefits of a 3-Ounce Serving

A 3-ounce cooked serving of shrimp is a low-calorie, high-protein food. It contains around 84 calories and over 20 grams of protein. Shrimp is also a good source of minerals like phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and selenium.

Comparison of Shrimp Size and Serving Count

The table below shows the approximate number of cooked shrimp in a 3-ounce serving based on their size and raw count per pound.


Shrimp Size	Count Per Pound (Uncooked)	Approx. Count Per 3 oz. Serving (Cooked)
Colossal	U/15	3–4
Jumbo	21/25	5–6
Extra-Large	26/30	6–7
Large	31/40	8–9
Medium	41/50	10–12
Small	51/60	12–15
Tiny	71+	18+

Creative Ways to Use a 3-Ounce Serving

A 3-ounce serving of shrimp is a great addition to various dishes. Consider using it as a protein boost in:

Pasta dishes
Stir-fries
Salads
Appetizers or shrimp cocktails

Measuring Shrimp Without a Scale

If you don't have a kitchen scale, you can estimate a 3-ounce serving using visual cues. Look for a portion about the size of your palm or a deck of cards. You can also use the count per pound on the packaging to help estimate the number of servings in a bag. For example, a 41/50 count per pound bag contains about four 3-ounce cooked servings.

Conclusion

Knowing what a 3-ounce serving of shrimp looks like is helpful for managing portion sizes and understanding its nutritional contribution. While the exact number of shrimp varies by size, using visual comparisons like the size of your palm or a deck of cards can simplify measurement. Remember that raw shrimp will weigh more than cooked shrimp due to water loss. By keeping these tips in mind, you can easily incorporate this healthy seafood into your meals. For more details on seafood portion sizes, consult the FDA website.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 3-ounce cooked serving of shrimp is visually equivalent to the size of a standard deck of playing cards or the palm of an average-sized hand.

For medium shrimp (41/50 count), a 3-ounce cooked serving typically contains 10 to 12 individual shrimp.

You can estimate a 3-ounce serving by using visual cues like the size of your palm or a deck of cards. For more precision, consider that a 4-ounce raw portion yields about 3 ounces cooked.

Yes, shrimp lose approximately 25% of their weight when cooked due to water loss. For a 3-ounce cooked serving, you should measure about 4 ounces of raw shrimp.

A 3-ounce serving of cooked jumbo shrimp (21/25 count) will typically contain 5 to 6 shrimp.

Yes, a 3-ounce serving of cooked shrimp is very healthy. It is low in calories (around 84) and an excellent source of protein, with over 20 grams per serving.

Shrimp sizing is listed by a count per pound (e.g., 41/50). Smaller numbers mean larger shrimp. For example, 'Jumbo' is 21/25 per pound, while 'Small' is 51/60 per pound.