How many medium eggs equal one large egg?

In most recipes, 1¼ medium eggs approximate one large egg by weight. For 4 large eggs, use 5 medium eggs.

What does USDA egg size actually mean?

USDA egg size classes are based on minimum weight per dozen, not per egg. A Large egg must weigh at least 56.7 grams per USDA AMS 7 CFR Part 56.

Can I use jumbo eggs instead of large in baking?

Yes, but use slightly fewer — jumbo eggs add about 14 g more per egg than large. For most home baking the difference is minor, but in precise pastry work consider adjusting by 1 egg when scaling up.

What is a Peewee egg?

Peewee eggs weigh at least 35 grams each and are the smallest USDA size class. They are rare in retail stores but common with backyard flock keepers.

Does egg size affect cooking time?

Egg size rarely changes cooking time significantly for most methods. Hard-boiling time may vary by 1–2 minutes between Peewee and Jumbo sizes. Baking differences are usually negligible.

Egg Size Substitution Chart — All USDA Sizes

Egg Size Substitution Guide

US egg sizes are set by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (7 CFR Part 56), which defines six size classes by minimum weight per egg. Large eggs, at 56.7 g minimum, are the standard for virtually all US recipes. When substituting, match total weight rather than count.

The formula

substitute count = (Large eggs needed × 56.7 g) ÷ (weight of substitute size in g)

Round to the nearest practical egg. For recipes where exact ratios matter (custards, meringues), weigh eggs in grams for precision.

Practical examples

Example 1: A recipe needs 4 Large eggs. How many Medium eggs? 4 × 56.7 g = 226.8 g needed ÷ 49.6 g per Medium = 4.57 → use 5 Medium eggs

Example 2: You only have Jumbo eggs. A recipe calls for 3 Large. 3 × 56.7 g = 170.1 g needed ÷ 70.9 g per Jumbo = 2.4 → use 2 Jumbo eggs (slight reduction)

Example 3: A Peewee egg weighs 35 g. How many replace 1 Large? 56.7 ÷ 35 = 1.62 → use 2 Peewee eggs (overshoots by ~13 g, acceptable for most recipes)

Common mistakes

Substituting 1:1 without adjusting for size. Using 4 Medium eggs where 4 Large are called for under-delivers about 28 g (nearly one full egg) of egg mass. This matters most in baking where eggs provide structure.

Ignoring yolk-to-white ratio. Large eggs average about 33 g white and 17 g yolk. Peewee eggs have proportionally more shell and yolk relative to white. For foam-based recipes (angel food cake, soufflé), the white volume difference matters more than total weight.

Assuming grocery store eggs are always the labeled size. USDA minimums apply to weight per dozen, not individual eggs. A "Large" dozen must average at least 56.7 g per egg, but individual eggs within the carton can legally be smaller.

International and regional variations

Standard	Size class	Min weight
USDA (US)	Large	56.7 g / egg
EU (EC 589/2008)	L (Large)	63–73 g / egg
UK (British Free Range)	Large	63–73 g / egg (follows EU standard)
Australia (Food Standards)	Large	≥ 60 g / egg

A UK or EU "Large" egg (63–73 g) is heavier than a US Large (min 56.7 g). When following a UK recipe in the US, use XL eggs to match the intended egg mass.

Quick reference

Size	Min weight (g)	To replace 1 Large
Jumbo	70.9	Use 1 (adds ~14 g extra)
XL	63.8	Use 1 (adds ~7 g extra)
Large	56.7	Use 1 (standard)
Medium	49.6	Use 1¼ (5 for 4 Large)
Small	42.0	Use 1½
Peewee	35.0	Use 2

Click a row to highlight it. Weights are minimum per-egg values per USDA AMS 7 CFR Part 56.

Size	Min weight (g)	To replace 1 Large	Notes
Jumbo	70.9	Use 1	Adds ~14 g extra per egg
XL	63.8	Use 1	Adds ~7 g extra per egg
Large	56.7	Use 1	Standard recipe default
Medium	49.6	Use 1¼ (5 for 4)	Closest practical swap
Small	42.0	Use 1½	Need to adjust volume
Peewee	35.0	Use 2	Rare retail; farm eggs

Frequently Asked Questions

How many medium eggs equal one large egg?: In most recipes, 1¼ medium eggs approximate one large egg by weight. For 4 large eggs, use 5 medium eggs.
What does USDA egg size actually mean?: USDA egg size classes are based on minimum weight per dozen, not per egg. A Large egg must weigh at least 56.7 grams per USDA AMS 7 CFR Part 56.
Can I use jumbo eggs instead of large in baking?: Yes, but use slightly fewer — jumbo eggs add about 14 g more per egg than large. For most home baking the difference is minor, but in precise pastry work consider adjusting by 1 egg when scaling up.
What is a Peewee egg?: Peewee eggs weigh at least 35 grams each and are the smallest USDA size class. They are rare in retail stores but common with backyard flock keepers.
Does egg size affect cooking time?: Egg size rarely changes cooking time significantly for most methods. Hard-boiling time may vary by 1–2 minutes between Peewee and Jumbo sizes. Baking differences are usually negligible.