Reference guide
Split Shot and Sinker Size Chart
Split shot sizes are names, not weights, and US and UK packs use separate scales. On a UK maker's packs a BB weighs 0.4 g and an SSG 1.6 g. US split shot is sold as B, BB and 3/0, then 7 through 1, and the US makers checked here give no weight per shot on their product pages, so do not read a US BB as 0.4 g.
Other sinker shapes are sold by weight: Bullet Weights, a US maker, lists bullet weights from 1/64 to 1 oz, egg sinkers from 1/8 oz and pyramids up to 24 oz. Choose the shape for the water first: a pyramid holds in surf, a no-roll sinker in river current, and split shot adds a little weight near the hook.
UK split shot sizes
The UK scale names its larger shot with letters and its smaller shot with numbers, and the weight falls as the number rises. These are the weights Dinsmores, a UK maker, prints on its shot packs. Another brand's shot of the same size may differ, so check the pack.
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Size | Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|---|
| SSG | 1.6 g | 0.056 oz |
| SG | 1.2 g | 0.042 oz |
| AAA | 0.8 g | 0.028 oz |
| AB | 0.6 g | 0.021 oz |
| BB | 0.4 g | 0.014 oz |
| No.1 | 0.3 g | 0.011 oz |
| No.4 | 0.2 g | 0.0071 oz |
| No.6 | 0.1 g | 0.0035 oz |
| No.8 | 0.06 g | 0.0021 oz |
| No.10 | 0.04 g | 0.0014 oz |
Grams as printed on the packs, checked October 5, 2026. Ounces are converted from the grams and rounded to two significant figures. Dinsmores also sells an LG size, left out here because its site gives two different weights for it.
Do not swap BB between scales
On the UK scale a BB is 0.4 g on Dinsmores packs, heavier than a No.1 at 0.3 g. US split shot uses a different run: Bullet Weights lists BB second, after B and before 3/0, and neither US maker checked here gives a weight for it on its product pages. The letters match; nothing says the weights do. Read the weight on the pack if it shows one, or weigh a counted handful and divide.
US split shot sizes
Bullet Weights sells round split shot in sizes B, BB, 3/0, 7, 6, 5, 4, 2, 1, and reusable split shot in sizes B, BB, 3/0, 7, 5, 4, 3, 1, 0, 00, 000. The count per bag falls along each list: a bag of the reusable shot holds 60 pieces of size B, 40 of 3/0, 10 of size 1 and 3 of 000.
Neither Bullet Weights nor Eagle Claw gives a weight per shot on its product pages, so this chart has no gram or ounce figures for US sizes. A split shot size of 3/0 is a sinker name and has nothing to do with a 3/0 hook.
Pinch-on sinker sizes
Pinch-on sinkers clamp onto the line like split shot, and Bullet Weights does publish a weight for each of its numbered sizes.
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Size | Ounces | Grams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1/16 oz | 1.8 g |
| 1 | 1/8 oz | 3.5 g |
| 2 | 3/16 oz | 5.3 g |
| 3 | 1/4 oz | 7.1 g |
| 5 | 3/8 oz | 11 g |
| 7 | 1/2 oz | 14 g |
| 8 | 3/4 oz | 21 g |
| 9 | 1 oz | 28 g |
| 10 | 1 1/2 oz | 43 g |
Ounces as published by Bullet Weights; grams are converted and rounded. The numbers belong to this product only and do not convert split shot sizes.
Sinker shapes and their weights
Other sinker shapes are sold by weight in ounces. The weights below are every size on Bullet Weights' lead sinker page for each shape, across its pack sizes. They are one maker's runs, so check what your store stocks.
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Shape | Weight range | Weights listed (oz) | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet (worm) weight | 1/64–1 oz 0.44–28 g |
1/64, 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8, 1 | Texas rigs and other weedless rigs; the line runs through it. |
| Egg sinker | 1/8–16 oz 3.5–454 g |
1/8, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1 1/2, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 | Sliding rigs where weeds are a problem; the maker calls it ideal for catfish and a good all-round sinker. |
| Bank sinker | 1/2–20 oz 14–567 g |
1/2, 3/4, 1, 1 1/2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20 | Bottom fishing from riverbanks and in the ocean. |
| Pyramid sinker | 1–24 oz 28–680 g |
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24 | Surf: the point and flat sides keep it from rolling with the tide. |
| No-roll sinker | 1–6 oz 28–170 g |
1, 1 1/2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 | Rivers: the line slides through it, and the flat sides stop it rolling along the bottom. |
Ounces as published, checked October 5, 2026; grams are converted and rounded. Uses are as the maker describes them.
Choosing a weight
- Start from a known rig. Texas Parks and Wildlife's angler-education guide sets up a simple rig with a #3 split shot 6 to 12 inches above the hook, and starts its Carolina rig with a half-ounce sliding weight.
- Pick the shape for the water. Bullet Weights sells the pyramid as a surf sinker that will not roll with the tide, and the no-roll sinker for rivers, where its flat sides stop it rolling along the bottom. Egg and bullet weights let the line slide through them.
- Adjust from there. If the bait never reaches the bottom, or the current drags the rig away, add weight or change to a shape that holds. If a float rides under with no fish on, take weight off.
- Consider lead-free weights. The same guide suggests lead-free sinkers to protect habitat, and Bullet Weights also sells tin, steel and tungsten versions of several shapes. Check your state's rules on lead tackle.
This chart gives no depth-to-weight formula: none of the makers or the agency checked here publishes one. For the rest of the rig, the Fishing Setup Builder picks the rod, reel, line, leader and hook, and the Fishing Knot Finder gives a knot for the hook or swivel.
Sources for this guidance
- Dinsmores: Super Soft Non Toxic Shot A UK shot maker's range. The refill packs pictured on its product pages print each size's weight, from SSG at 1.6 g and BB at 0.4 g to No.10 at 0.04 g.
- Bullet Weights: Round Split Shot Round split shot in sizes B, BB, 3/0, 7, 6, 5, 4, 2 and 1, listed with the number of pieces per bag and no weight per shot.
- Bullet Weights: Split Shot - Reusable Removable split shot from B through 1 and on to 0, 00 and 000, again listed by pieces per bag rather than weight.
- Eagle Claw: Removable Split-Shot Sinkers A second US maker listing split shot by "weight size" (B, BB, 3/0, 7, 5, 4, 3 and 2) with no weight per shot on the product page.
- Bullet Weights: Pinch-On Sinkers Numbered pinch-on sizes with a published weight for each, from size 0 at 1/16 oz to size 10 at 1 1/2 oz.
- Bullet Weights: Bullet Weights (slip sinkers) Bullet (worm) weights from 1/64 oz to 1 oz, described as made for Texas rigs and other weedless rigs.
- Bullet Weights: Egg Sinkers Egg sinkers from 1/8 oz to 16 oz, described as weedless, ideal for catfish and a good all-round sinker.
- Bullet Weights: Bank Sinkers Bank sinkers from 1/2 oz to 20 oz, for ocean and riverbank fishing.
- Bullet Weights: Pyramid Sinkers Pyramid sinkers from 1 oz to 24 oz, sold as a surf sinker whose point and flat sides keep it from rolling with the tide.
- Bullet Weights: No Roll Sinkers No-roll sinkers from 1 oz to 6 oz for rivers: the line slides through the center and the flat sides keep the sinker from rolling along the bottom.
- Texas Parks and Wildlife: Angler Education Instructor Guide Names bell, bullet, egg, pyramid and split shot sinkers; its simple rig puts a #3 split shot 6 to 12 inches above the hook, its Carolina rig starts with a half-ounce sliding weight, and it suggests lead-free sinkers.
Need the rest of the setup?
Answer five questions and get a rod, reel, line, leader and hook, with the reasoning for each.
Related guides
- Fishing Hook Size ChartSelected common sizes from #28 to 12/0 with typical uses, and why the same number differs between brands.
- Fishing Reel Size ChartSpinning, baitcasting, conventional and fly reel classes with typical line capacity and what each size is for.
- Fishing Line Size ChartPound test against typical diameter for mono, fluorocarbon and braid, and how to compare them fairly.
- Fishing Rod Size GuideWhat length, power and action each control, and how to read the specs printed on a blank.