| Large | Jumbo | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| Egg Size | Whole | Yolks |
| Jumbo | 4 | 11 |
| X-Large | 4 | 12 |
| Large | 5 | 14 |
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Professional blogger and cookbook author Bethany Moncel has become an expert on making delicious, healthy meals on a budget. She also holds a nutritional science degree.
Egg Size Equivalents - Small to Jumbo
Replace the large eggs called for in your recipe (in the top row) with the number of eggs of different sizes listed in each row.
Helpful Egg Conversions
Here are more rules of thumb to use in converting egg sizes in recipes:
When Egg Size Matters and When It Doesn't
Egg size doesn't matter much if you are making scrambled eggs or a frittata. Nor will it matter if you are using egg as a binder in mixing up a batch of fritters or coating a cutlet. In those cases, simply use the eggs you have handy.
Duck Eggs or Other Species
The egg sizes listed are for chicken eggs, as labeled for sale in the United States. Duck eggs are much larger than chicken eggs, even larger than jumbo eggs. You may have a bantam hen who lays eggs smaller than the typical small egg.
Difference in Egg Sizes
There’s no doubt about it — Americans adore eggs. In fact, the average citizen ate approximately 267 eggs this year in his or her regular diet, whether in breakfast scrambles, hearty omelets, baked goods, breads, soups, stuffing or other delectable dishes.
Why Are Some Eggs Different Sizes?
The variation between egg sizes can be pretty significant— from a small to a jumbo egg, the weight can differ as much as an ounce per egg. But why do these size differences occur, and what factors contribute to eggs being larger or smaller? The answer, of course, lies in the source — the chickens laying the eggs.
Do Different Size Eggs Have Different Nutritional Values?
Now you know all about egg size, what contributes to their weight variation and what kind you’ll most commonly find in stores, you might be wondering what kind of eggs are best for you to buy. Will extra-large eggs pack more of a protein punch than mediums? Are smaller eggs healthier choices if they contain less fat?
Why Does Egg Size Matter?
If egg size doesn’t make a huge difference in nutritional value, you might be wondering why size matters at all. Does it make a difference whether you purchase a carton of mediums or an assortment of somewhat heftier larges for your pastas, pastries, scones, scrambles, omelets and hors d’oeuvres? Yes and no.
Recipes That Use Any Size Egg
With egg sizes, nutritional info and conversions under your belt, you’re probably ready to dive into delicious dishes that incorporate eggs of all shapes and sizes. For recipes free of stress and size conversion, try one of these recipes for eggs of any size:
Recipes That Call For a Certain Egg Size
When you’re ready to test your egg size and conversion knowledge and take on a challenge, you can delve into some more complicated sweet recipes that require specific amounts or sizes to integrate the eggs properly. Pick up a carton of the proper size, or keep your conversion chart handy and try your hand at these tasty treats:
Size Matters (Kinda)
First off, some background: The "size" of a dozen eggs isn’t based on how big any particular egg is. It’s actually based on their minimum weight per dozen.
Can I Swap Different Egg Sizes in Recipes?
When using eggs for breading or binding, or for basic egg recipes like scrambled eggs, hard-boiled eggs, or fried rice, it likely won't affect the taste if you use a medium egg instead of a large one (or vice versa).
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, only you can decide what size egg is best. But unless you’re working on a very fancy bit of pastry, it probably doesn’t matter that much. If you only have jumbo eggs and your recipe calls for large eggs, don’t panic. Just consult the conversion chart above and get crackin’.
Can I Substitute Different Size Eggs in Recipes?
Most standard recipes use large eggs as a default. In the case your recipe calls for an extra-large egg and all you have are medium, here's a guide on how to substitute egg sizes thanks to Sauder Egg's egg size chart.
Egg Sizing Guide
According to the USDA, sizing eggs is not based on the dimensions or how big the egg looks, but rather the total weight of a dozen eggs. The Egg Safety Center has a great chart detailing nutrition and size for each type of egg, but here's the basic breakdown of net weight per dozen eggs:
