Olive Sizes

World olive size grading is calculated by the number of olives per kilo. American size is graded by the number of olives per pound (the number of olives per kilo in the table further below is approximate for American sizes, as the United States Department of Agriculture hasn't set official metric grading.)

You may often see olives designated as 160/180, 400/420, etc. That indicates the range of how many per kilo, in that size. You have to figure out from the context whether the writer is using World measurements or American ones.

The descriptive terms that you will see below were reputedly drawn up in the 1920s by the California advertising firm "Curtis", which drew on names that were being used to promote movies at the time. The terms for larger olives have a good ring of hype around them -- you'd almost think they were describing a circus.

It's a bit odd that the California olive industry continues resolutely to use their own terms and own measurements rather than standardize, especially because this is certainly one field in which the Americans are greatly outnumbered: California produces less than 1/2 of 1 percent of the world's olives, so it would make more sense for them to standardize to the rest of the world.

Size descriptions are listed in order from largest to smallest.

Size Name Where Quantity
Per Kilo Quantity
Per Pound
Size Number
(America)
Width

Super Mammoth (aka Super Mamouth) World 91–100 41–45

Mammoth (aka Mamouth) World 101–110 46–50

Mammoth American 140 to 160 65 to 75
5

Super Colossal World 111–120 50–54

Super Colossal American 60 to 70 32 or fewer
9
26 mm and larger

Colossal World 121–140 55–64

Colossal American 70 to 90 33 to 41
8
24 mm to 26 mm

Giants World 141–160 65–73

Giant American 120 to 140 53 to 64
6

Extra Jumbo World 161–180 74–82

Jumbo World 181–200 83–91

Jumbo American 90 to 120 42 to 52
7
22 mm to 24 mm

Extra Large World 201–230 91–104

Extra Large American 160 to 200 76 to 90
4
20 mm to 22 mm

Large World 231–260 105–118

Large American 200 to 220 (sic) 91 to 105
3
19 mm to 20 mm

Medium American 240 to 260 106 to 127
2
17 mm to 19 mm

Superior World 261–290 118–132

Small (aka Select or Standard) American 280 to 300 128 to 140
1
Less than 17 mm

Petite (aka Midget) American 300 to 400 141 to 180

Brilliant World 291–320 132–145

Fine World 321–350 146–159

Bullets World 351–380 159–172

SubPetite American 400 to 420 181 to 220

Sources:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Liaison, Preparedness and Policy Coordination. Canned or Otherwise Preserved Vegetable Products Other Than Frozen Vegetable Products, Part II, Feb 2000.
United States Standards for Grades of Green Olives, USDA, September 1967 (32 FR 11467.)

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Acknowlegements

USDA. United States Standards for Grades of Green Olives. 32 FR 11467. September 1967.

Also called:

Aceitunas -- Tamaño (Spanish)

Size Name	Where	Quantity Per Kilo	Quantity Per Pound	Size Number (America)	Width
Super Mammoth (aka Super Mamouth)	World	91–100	41–45
Mammoth (aka Mamouth)	World	101–110	46–50
Mammoth	American	140 to 160	65 to 75	5
Super Colossal	World	111–120	50–54
Super Colossal	American	60 to 70	32 or fewer	9	26 mm and larger
Colossal	World	121–140	55–64
Colossal	American	70 to 90	33 to 41	8	24 mm to 26 mm
Giants	World	141–160	65–73
Giant	American	120 to 140	53 to 64	6
Extra Jumbo	World	161–180	74–82
Jumbo	World	181–200	83–91
Jumbo	American	90 to 120	42 to 52	7	22 mm to 24 mm
Extra Large	World	201–230	91–104
Extra Large	American	160 to 200	76 to 90	4	20 mm to 22 mm
Large	World	231–260	105–118
Large	American	200 to 220 (sic)	91 to 105	3	19 mm to 20 mm
Medium	American	240 to 260	106 to 127	2	17 mm to 19 mm
Superior	World	261–290	118–132
Small (aka Select or Standard)	American	280 to 300	128 to 140	1	Less than 17 mm
Petite (aka Midget)	American	300 to 400	141 to 180
Brilliant	World	291–320	132–145
Fine	World	321–350	146–159
Bullets	World	351–380	159–172
SubPetite	American	400 to 420	181 to 220

Olive Sizes

Acknowlegements