Crab vs Shrimp: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Shrimp has higher protein at 24.0 g compared to crab's 17.9 g, while crab is lower in calories with 83 compared to shrimp's 99.

Crab and shrimp are both nutritious seafood options, each offering unique benefits. This comparison highlights their calorie counts, protein levels, and other nutritional aspects.

What Is the Difference Between Crab and Shrimp?

Crab is a type of crustacean known for its sweet, tender meat and is often consumed in various culinary dishes. It is a rich source of protein and essential nutrients. Shrimp are small, aquatic crustaceans that are widely enjoyed for their delicate flavor and versatility in cooking. They provide a good amount of protein and are low in fat.

Crab vs Shrimp: Nutrition Side by Side

The following table presents a side-by-side comparison of crab and shrimp based on their nutritional content.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Blue crab (cooked)	Shrimp (cooked)
Calories	83 kcal	99 kcal
Protein	17.9 g	24.0 g
Carbs	0 g	0.2 g
Sugar	0 g	0 g
Fat	0.7 g	0.3 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	395 mg	111 mg

Which Is Better, Crab or Shrimp?

For weight loss: Crab contains 83 calories per 100 g, making it lower in calories than shrimp, which has 99 calories per 100 g.

For muscle and protein: Shrimp offers more protein at 24.0 g per 100 g, compared to crab's 17.9 g per 100 g.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Both crab and shrimp are low in carbohydrates, with crab having 0 g and shrimp containing 0.2 g. Neither contains sugar.

How to Track Crab and Shrimp Accurately

It can be easy to misjudge portion sizes and macronutrient content when consuming seafood. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for dietary guidance. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein, crab or shrimp?

Shrimp has more protein at 24.0 g, while crab has 17.9 g.

Which has fewer calories, crab or shrimp?

Crab has fewer calories at 83, compared to shrimp's 99.

How much fat is in crab?

Crab contains 0.7 g of fat per 100 g.

What is the sodium content in shrimp?

Shrimp has 111 mg of sodium per 100 g.

Do crab and shrimp have sugar?

Both crab and shrimp have 0 g of sugar per 100 g.

What are the carbohydrate levels in crab?

Crab contains 0 g of carbohydrates per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Crab has 83 calories per 100 g.
• Shrimp has 99 calories per 100 g.
• Crab contains 17.9 g of protein.
• Shrimp contains 24.0 g of protein.
• Crab has 0 g of carbohydrates.
• Shrimp has 0.2 g of carbohydrates.