Split shot is the cheapest way to change how a rig fishes, and the sizes are labeled in a way that trips up almost everybody: on the US system, the bigger the number, the smaller the shot. Size 7 is tiny. Size 2 is heavy.
The figures below are published manufacturer weights for one major US brand. Brands vary by a few percent, so treat the chart as a starting point and the package as the authority. For other sinker types — bullets, eggs, pyramids — use the Sinker Weight Converter.
| Size | Weight (g) | Weight (oz) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 0.31 | 0.011 | Ice fishing, micro jigs, final trim on a delicate float |
| BB | 0.56 | 0.020 | Panfish and trout float rigs; the standard trim shot |
| 3/0 | 1.04 | 0.037 | The all-round load for small fixed floats |
| 7 | 1.83 | 0.065 | Crappie and trout, pencil floats, stacked shot strings |
| 5 | 2.54 | 0.090 | Slip float rigs in calm water |
| 4 | 3.61 | 0.127 | Heavier floats and light current |
| 3 | 4.31 | 0.152 | River floats and moderate current |
| 2 | 7.21 | 0.254 | Deep rigs, catfish, heavy current |
Most arguments about how much shot to use come down to this: one angler is counting pieces and the other is counting grams. Count grams.
A float's stated capacity is its buoyancy, not its working load. Leave reserve: about 10–15% in calm water so the tip rides at the right height, and 25–35% in current so a surge does not pull the float under.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Find the capacity | Look for the float's rating in grams or ounces. A 1/4 oz float has roughly 7.1 g of buoyancy. |
| 2. Subtract the bait load | Hook, bait and swivel typically add 1–2 g. That leaves roughly 5.5–6 g for shot. |
| 3. Convert to shot | Divide by the shot weight. 5.5 g of size 3/0 shot (1.04 g) is five pieces. 6 g of BB shot (0.56 g) is ten pieces. |
| 4. Bulk first, trim last | Place most of the weight just above the leader, then add the smallest shot while watching the float tip. |
| 5. Test in a bucket | Check the float sits where you want it. Knots, beads and soaked material change the real trim. |
1/4 oz float, no bait: 7.1 g divided by 1.04 g (size 3/0) is 6.8 — use six shot for 6.2 g and keep the remainder as reserve.
Need 3.6 g: one size 4 shot weighs 3.61 g. An exact single-shot match.
Need 1.5 g: one size 3/0 (1.04 g) plus one BB (0.56 g) gives 1.60 g, about 7% over. If the float sits too low, swap the BB for a size B and land at 1.35 g.
Cheap gear, high return. A shot assortment and two float styles cover most float fishing.
Buy the full range rather than one size. Being able to trim a float in half-gram steps is what separates a well-loaded rig from a guess.
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Split shot are read in a mix of fractions, ounces and grams. The sinker weight converter converts between all three, the hook size chart matches the hook above the shot, and the swivel size chart covers the hardware in between.
No — on the US size system it is the opposite. The bigger the size number, the smaller the shot. Size 7 weighs about 1.8 g, size 2 about 7.2 g. Only the fraction-labeled shot (1/8 oz, 1/4 oz) works the other way round.
About 12 to 13. A 1/4 oz weight is roughly 7.1 g and one BB shot is about 0.56 g, so 7.1 divided by 0.56 is 12.7. That is why split shot is best planned in grams rather than pieces.
Convention. Anglers have used letter and number sizes for generations, and matching a float to a shot pattern is a visual skill — you build a shot string, you do not weigh it. The gram equivalent is printed mainly for export markets.
Roughly three. One B shot is about 0.31 g, so a 1 g float takes three, leaving a little reserve for trim. If the float still rides high, add a single BB.
You have exceeded its buoyancy. A float rated 1/4 oz has about 7.1 g of lift, and hook, bait and swivel already consume 1 or 2 g of that. Leave 10 to 15% reserve in calm water and 25 to 35% in current, then trim with the smallest shot you have.
SSG is a size in the traditional split shot numbering used for coarse and panfish fishing, sitting above BB and below AAA. It is a large shot, roughly 0.9 g (about 14 grains), though the exact figure varies between makers. If you are matching a rig by feel rather than by name, treat SSG as the point where a single shot noticeably changes how fast a small bait sinks.
Bluegill have small mouths and feed gently, so the lightest shot that gets the bait down is the right one. Start at No.8 or No.6 with a small hook and a worm or waxworm under a float, and add a single No.4 a few inches above the hook only if the bait is not sinking fast enough. Heavy shot near a small hook makes bluegill drop the bait before you see the float move.
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Accuracy note: results are calculated from general reference values rather than a physical test of your equipment. Follow the guidance that ships with your gear whenever the two disagree. TackleCalc is independent and is not endorsed by any manufacturer.