Cashew Grades Explained (W180 to W450)
What the W-number really means
Cashew kernels are graded by colour, shape and size. The W-grades (W180–W500) count whole white kernels per pound — the lower the number, the larger and pricier the nut. Full AFI colour, shape and size tables and all 27 international grades below.
Cashew grades classify kernels by colour, shape and size, in that order. The most important are the white whole grades, written as a "W" (or "WW") followed by the number of kernels per pound: W180 (about 140–180 per lb, the largest) through W210, W240, W320, W450 and W500 (smallest). Below the white wholes come scorched grades (SW), then broken grades — butts, splits and pieces. A lower W-number means a larger kernel and a higher price; W320 is the most widely traded grade. There are 27 conventional international grades in total, from WW180 to SPS.
The white whole grades (W) — quick reference
The "W" stands for white wholes; the number is how many kernels make up one pound (≈454 g). Fewer kernels per pound means each is larger. This is the fast entry point; the full AFI-based classification follows below.
| Grade | Kernels per lb | Kernels per kg | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| W180 | 140–180 | 266–395 | Largest — premium |
| W210 | 180–210 | 395–465 | Large |
| W240 | 220–240 | 485–530 | Large-medium |
| W320 | 300–320 | 660–706 | Medium — most traded |
| W450 | 400–450 | 880–990 | Smallest standard whole |
| W500 | 460–500 | 1,022–1,120 | Included for completeness |
Both units are given because buyers quote in either — per pound in the AFI convention, per kilo in most contracts. Counts are indicative; exact ranges vary slightly by standard. Scorched grades (SW) carry the same counts at a lower price.
Classification based on colour
Cashew kernels are classified according to colour into white (W), scorched (S) or dessert (D). The colour classification also considers whether the kernels are whole or broken.
| Grade | Colour characteristic |
|---|---|
| First quality fancy | Uniformly white, pale ivory or light yellow. |
| Second quality scorched | Yellow, light brown, light ivory, light ash-grey or deep ivory. |
| Third quality special scorched | Deep yellow, brown, amber, and light to deep blue. They may be slightly shrivelled, immature, and light-brown speckled, blemished or otherwise discoloured. |
| Fourth quality | They have the same colour characteristics as the first or second quality but have pitted spots. |
| Lightly blemished wholes (LBW) | Light brown, light ivory, light ash-grey or deep ivory. Kernels may show light brown speckles or blemishes on the surface, provided that not more than 40% of the kernels are affected. |
| Lightly blemished pieces (LP) | They may be light brown, light ivory, light ash-grey or deep ivory. Pieces may show light brown speckles or blemishes on the surface, provided that not more than 20% of the pieces are affected. |
| Blemished wholes (BW) | Deep yellow, brown, amber or light to deep blue. Kernels may be slightly shrivelled, immature or may be brown speckled or blemished on the surface, provided that not more than 60% of the kernels are affected. |
| Dessert (D) | Cashew kernels may be scraped, deeply scorched, shrivelled, deep-brown-speckled, black-speckled, blemished or otherwise discoloured. |
Classification based on shape
Cashew kernels are classified into whole and broken grades based on their shape, including butts, splits or pieces.
Whole (W)
a cashew kernel with the characteristic kidney shape, where not more than 1/8 of the kernel is broken off.
Butts (B)
kernels broken crosswise, less than 7/8 but not less than 3/8 of a whole kernel, with cotyledons still attached.
Splits (S)
kernels split lengthwise, with not more than 1/8 of the cotyledon broken off.
Pieces
smaller broken kernels, categorised by size: large pieces (LWP, SP, SPS), small pieces (SWP, SSP, DSP), chips (CHIPS, SSP1, SSP2, SSP3), baby bits (BB, G1, G2, G3), fine grains (X), fines (FE) and mixed pieces (P1M, P2M, P3M).
Classification based on size
Size classification estimates the number of kernels per kilogram or pound. It is compulsory for first-quality/fancy cashew kernels but optional for others. Whole kernels are sized by count per pound, ranging from 140 to 500.
| Size designation | Count per kilo | Count per pound |
|---|---|---|
| 180 | 266 – 395 | 140 – 180 |
| 210 | 395 – 465 | 180 – 210 |
| 240 | 485 – 530 | 220 – 240 |
| 320 | 660 – 706 | 300 – 320 |
| 450 | 880 – 990 | 400 – 450 |
| 500 | 1,022 – 1,120 | 460 – 500 |
Broken kernels are simply classified as large or small.
Classification order and conventional grades
Grading follows the order of colour, shape, then size. For example: WW180 — White, Whole, size 180. SW240 — Scorched, Whole, size 240. Exceptions for broken kernels include FB (fancy butts), FS (fancy splits), LWP (large white pieces) and SWP (small white pieces).
There are 27 conventional international grades:
| No. | Grade | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | WW180 | White Wholes 180 |
| 2 | WW210 | White Wholes 210 |
| 3 | WW240 | White Wholes 240 |
| 4 | WW320 | White Wholes 320 |
| 5 | WW450 | White Wholes 450 |
| 6 | WW500 | White Wholes 500 |
| 7 | FB / WB | Fancy Butts (White Butts) |
| 8 | FS / WS | Fancy Splits (White Splits) |
| 9 | LWP | Large White Pieces |
| 10 | SWP | Small White Pieces |
| 11 | BB | Baby Bits |
| 12 | SW180 | Scorched Wholes 180 |
| 13 | SW210 | Scorched Wholes 210 |
| 14 | SW240 | Scorched Wholes 240 |
| 15 | SW320 | Scorched Wholes 320 |
| 16 | SW450 | Scorched Wholes 450 |
| 17 | SW500 | Scorched Wholes 500 |
| 18 | SB | Scorched Butts |
| 19 | SS | Scorched Splits |
| 20 | SP | Scorched Pieces |
| 21 | SSP | Scorched Small Pieces |
| 22 | DW | Dessert Wholes |
| 23 | SSW | Scorched Second Wholes |
| 24 | DB | Dessert Butts |
| 25 | DS | Dessert Splits |
| 26 | DP | Dessert Pieces |
| 27 | SPS | Scorched Pieces Second |
These grades ensure traceability and meet international food safety standards, making African-processed cashews competitive globally.
Every grade prices differently. Accurate size grading and colour sorting let a processor sell each class at its correct market price — the difference between a profitable line and a mediocre one.
Grades, outturn and the two KOR numbers
Grade counts describe kernels you already have. Outturn describes how many kernels a sack of raw nuts will give you — and the trade measures that two different ways, which is worth knowing before comparing anyone’s figures with your own.
Quality-check KOR
measured on a sample when buying raw nuts, in pounds of recoverable kernel per 80 kg bag. Typical trading range 42–52 lbs. It prices the consignment.
Production KOR
measured across a factory, in kg of packed saleable kernel per 100 kg of RCN. Typically 22–24 kg per 100 kg, because it counts only what survives shelling, peeling and grading.
They are not the same number
48 lbs per 80 kg bag is about 27% laboratory outturn; 22–24% is the realistic factory yield. These are two different measures — do not compare one to the other. See the calculator page for the sample procedure behind the first.
Guidebook on the Cashew Processing Process, Competitive Cashew initiative (GIZ/ComCashew), 2019. Standards based on the Association of Food Industries (AFI).
The process, drawn
Where the grade value sits
The W number counts kernels per pound. Fewer, larger kernels command more — which is why whole-kernel recovery, not throughput, decides what a plant earns.
Grading order is colour, then shape, then size. Scorched grades (SW) carry the same counts at a lower price. Source: AFI standards.
Frequently asked questions
What does W320 mean in cashews?
Which cashew grade is the best?
What machine sorts cashews into grades?
Related reading & machines
Cashew Grading & Sorting Machine
W180 to W450, sorted by size and colour
Open →W240 vs W320: Which Cashew Grade Is Better?
Size, price and demand compared
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Cashew Color Sorter
CCD optics catch every off-colour
Open →
Cashew Yield & Quality Calculator
Estimate outturn, yield and grade value
Open →Talk to a cashew engineer
Tell us your target capacity, grades and location — we’ll come back with a costed proposal.