Have you heard of prawns and believed they were just large shrimp? Contrary to popular belief, although the size difference is generally true, other features are best for telling the two shellfish apart. They are not simply different sizes of the same creature.
It certainly isn’t enough knowing that large shrimp are called prawns and some shrimp have a common name with the word “prawn” in it, and vice-versa. Although they’re clearly similar enough to be confused for one another, exactly how close in resemblance are they? Let’s explore their similarities and differences below!
Comparing Prawns vs. Shrimp

Shrimp | Prawns | |
---|---|---|
Size | 0.79-3in L although some measure 9.8in | >3in L, although shrimp larger than 3in are also called prawns or jumbo shrimp |
Habitat | Most species live in cold, saltwater | Freshwater types are the most popular, especially farming the genus Macrobrachium. Two species out of 300 make up 70% while another 10 species make up the rest for human consumption, and commercially it is an 80/20 split between Asia and South America |
Body | Curved, short rostrum, wider than deep, 1 overlapping segment, front pincers are largest | Straight, longer rostrum, deeper than wide, overlapping segments, 2nd pair of pincers are largest |
Taxonomy | Suborder Pleocyemata contains shrimp along with crabs, lobsters, and crawfish | Prawn suborder Dendobranchiata |
Diet | Omnivorous, even cannibalistic; scavenging | Omnivorous, even cannibalistic; scavenging |
Market | Commercially, shrimp farming is a significant industry worldwide, with a large number of species farmed, predominantly in Asia, but also in other regions such as Latin America. | Low in fat (85 calories), high in protein (18g), high in omega-3 fatty acids, provide 50% of the daily value of selenium (85g), and excellent sources of iron, phosphorus, and vitamin B12 |
Cuisine | Common in North America | Common in the UK and everywhere else |
Flavor | Firm, mild, buttery, rich meat with a sweet-salty ocean flavor | Sometimes sweeter, but generally very similar and interchangeable in any recipe and any cooking method, just with more meat |
Nutrition | Low in fat (85 calories), high in protein (18g), high in omega-3 fatty acids, provide 50% of the daily value of selenium (85g), and excellent sources of iron, phosphorus and vitamin B12 | Very similar in nutritional value for every 3-ounce serving |
The 5 Key Differences Between Prawns vs Shrimp

While the word prawn is often used interchangeably for shrimp, they are different.
©Reimar/Shutterstock.com
Prawns vs. Shrimp: Size
Although the words refer to two different creatures, these similar shellfish are more distinguished by physical features than size. Generally, however, shrimp are 2 cm (0.79 in) long, with some measuring more than 25 cm (9.8 in).
Prawns vs. Shrimp: Habitat
Shrimp often live in marine (saltwater) oceans, rivers, and lakes, although about a quarter (23 percent) of all species live in freshwater. Most prawns live in fresh water and tend to live in warmer waters.
Prawns vs. Shrimp: Body

Some shrimp have claws on two front legs, while prawns often have three claws.
©alekseystemmer/iStock via Getty Images
Both shellfish have similar bodies in that they are crustaceans with 10 legs. However, that’s where their similarities end. Shrimp are wider than they are deep, with a short rostrum, and their bodies are curved due to a segment overlapping the abdomen and head to allow them to bend at an acute angle. Shrimp have claws on only the front two pairs of legs and plate-like gills, and their front pincers are the largest.
Prawns are deeper than they are wide and have a longer rostrum, with claws on three pairs of legs, longer legs, and branching gills, and their second pair of pincers are the largest.
Prawns vs Shrimp: Taxonomy
Both shellfish are similar in that they belong to the Decapod order. Over 8,000 species of crustaceans (crabs, lobster, shrimp, prawns, crawfish, etc.) are encapsulated under this order. While these animals are all seemingly different, their key similarity is right in the name: “10 legs.” Five pairs of legs line the thoraxes of these animals, giving them this categorical name.
While prawns and shrimp share an order, they branch into distinguishing suborders. Shrimp belong to Pleocyemata (home also to crabs, lobsters, and crawfish) while the suborder Dendobranchiata contains only prawns.
Prawns vs. Shrimp: Cuisine

Regardless of which you have, both shrimp and prawns are delicious.
©KudPhotoCreate/Shutterstock.com
Both are common in Asia. However, prawns are commonly consumed in the UK and many other regions, but consumption patterns can vary significantly based on local culinary traditions. Shrimp are typically consumed in the United States.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the AZ Animals editorial team
Thank you for your feedback!
We appreciate your help in improving our content.
Our editorial team will review your suggestions and make any necessary updates.
There was an error submitting your feedback. Please try again.