Shimano Reel Model Numbers Explained

When choosing a Shimano reel, codes such as C3000SDHHG and 201HG can tell you a surprising amount before you open the specification table.

The number identifies the reel's size class. Letters describe features such as body size, spool depth, handle type, and gear speed. On Shimano baitcasting reels, the final digit also identifies right- or left-hand retrieve.

This guide uses real Shimano spinning and baitcasting reels to show how the system works.

Quick reference

Code	Meaning
C	Compact body
S / SS / SSS	Shallow / super-shallow / special-shallow spool
M	Medium-deep spool
DH	Double handle
PG / HG / XG / XXG	Power / high / extra-high / double extra-high gear
Baitcaster final digit 0 / 1	Right-hand / left-hand retrieve

1. Read C3000SDHHG as five parts

The 22 Stella C3000SDHHG separates into five elements:

C / 3000 / S / DH / HG

Code	Meaning
C	Compact body
3000	3000 size class
S	Shallow spool
DH	Double handle
HG	High gear

Together, the code describes a compact-body 3000-size reel with a shallow spool, double handle, and high gearing. Shimano's specification table confirms that the 22 Stella C3000SDHHG uses a 2500-size body and a 5.8 gear ratio.

The Shimano 22 Stella C3000SDHHG used as the main spinning-reel code example.

2. Spinning-reel sizes and the letter C

The number is a size and line-capacity guide

Numbers such as 1000, 2500, 3000, and 4000 are commonly called sizes. They are the starting point for understanding a spinning reel's physical scale and line capacity. Match the line diameter and length you need to the published capacity before comparing the remaining letters.

C means compact body

When C appears before the number, it means compact body. The spool belongs to the stated size class, while the body comes from a smaller class.

Model	Spool size	Body size
C3000SDHHG	3000	2500
C5000XG	5000	4000

So a C3000 combines a 3000-size spool with a 2500-size body, while a C5000 combines a 5000-size spool with a 4000-size body. The C tells you that the body is compact relative to the spool designation.

Not every mixed-size design uses C. The 24 Twin Power 3000MHG, for example, combines a 4000-size body with a 2500-size spool and rotor. This configuration is intended to balance winding strength with manageable handling.

The Shimano 24 Twin Power 3000MHG combines a 4000-class body with a 2500-class spool and rotor.

3. Read 70, 100, and 200 baitcasting sizes—and the final 0 or 1

70, 100, and 200 describe line-capacity classes

On baitcasting reels, numbers such as 70, 100, and 200 also indicate size classes. The most useful way to choose among them is to ask: how many yards or meters of a given line strength do I need?

Within one family, a larger number generally means more spool capacity. Shimano's Calcutta Conquest specifications show the practical difference:

Calcutta Conquest size	Spool diameter / width	Nylon 16 lb	Nylon 20 lb
100 / 101	33 / 19 mm	80 m	65 m
200 / 201	38 / 21 mm	120 m	100 m

If you need 100 m of 16 lb nylon, the 200 class meets that requirement while the 100 class does not. Converting a size number into line strength and length makes the choice far more concrete.

A final 0 means right-hand; 1 means left-hand

For these Shimano baitcasting model numbers, the final digit identifies retrieve side: 0 is right-hand and 1 is left-hand.

Size class	Right-hand	Left-hand
70	70	71
100	100	101
200	200	201

The Metanium DC, for example, is offered as 70 RIGHT and 71 LEFT. The Calcutta Conquest includes 200 RIGHT and 201 LEFT.

• 200HG: 200 class, right-hand retrieve, high gear.
• 201HG: 200 class, left-hand retrieve, high gear.

Read the size first, use 0 or 1 for retrieve side, and then interpret the gear letters.

The Shimano 21 Calcutta Conquest 201HG: 200 size, left-hand retrieve, and high gear.

4. PG, HG, XG, and XXG describe gearing

Code	Meaning
PG	Power gear
No suffix	Normal gear
HG	High gear
XG	Extra-high gear
XXG	Double extra-high gear

PG prioritizes winding power through lower gearing. HG and XG recover line more quickly, which helps with taking up slack and bringing a lure back for the next cast. Use the letters to understand the reel's general character, then compare the numerical specifications for actual performance.

Gear ratio and maximum retrieve are different measurements

On a spinning reel, gear ratio tells you how many times the rotor turns for one turn of the handle. A 6.2:1 ratio means 6.2 rotor revolutions per handle turn.

The line recovered per handle turn appears as maximum retrieve or line retrieve per crank. Spool diameter also affects this figure.

Model	Gear ratio	Spool diameter	Maximum retrieve per turn
Nasci 4000XG	6.2	51 mm	99 cm
24 Twin Power 4000XG	6.2	52 mm	101 cm

These reels have the same 6.2 gear ratio but different maximum retrieve figures because their spool diameters differ. When you want to compare real line-recovery speed, use maximum retrieve rather than the letters alone.

5. S, SS, SSS, and M describe spool depth

Code	Shimano term
S	Shallow spool
SS	Super-shallow spool
SSS	Special-shallow spool
M	Medium-deep spool

S identifies a shallow spool, while M identifies a medium-deep spool. A 2500S is therefore a 2500-size shallow-spool model. A 3000MHG combines a 3000-size medium-deep spool with high gearing.

A shallow spool is useful when you want to carry only the required amount of thin line and reduce backing. Shimano lists the 22 Stella 2500S at PE 0.6 / 200 m, PE 0.8 / 150 m, and PE 1 / 120 m. If you fish PE 0.8 and need 150 m, that capacity provides a direct reference point.

6. DH—and D on lever-brake reels

DH means double handle

DH means double handle: the handle has two knobs. In C3000SDHHG, read S as shallow spool, DH as double handle, and HG as high gear. Treating DH as one unit prevents a long code from becoming confusing.

D means drag-equipped on Shimano lever-brake reels

On Shimano lever-brake reels, D denotes a drag-equipped model. BB-X Technium codes can therefore be separated like this:

Code	Split	Meaning
DXG	D + XG	Drag-equipped + extra-high gear
DXXG	D + XXG	Drag-equipped + double extra-high gear

On Shimano lever-brake reels, D denotes a drag-equipped model and XXG denotes double extra-high gear.

7. Read compound model numbers in groups

Once you know the main groups, you can decode models even when the order changes. Shimano's 16 Stradic CI4+ parts listing includes examples such as:

Model	Reading
3000XGM	3000 size + XG extra-high gear + M medium-deep spool
2500HGSDH	2500 size + HG high gear + S shallow spool + DH double handle

The order of letters is not perfectly universal across every generation and product family. Look for recognizable groups such as M, S, DH, HG, and XG, then confirm the result in the official specification table for that exact model.

Use the model number to narrow your search

Start with the line capacity you need, choose the size class, and then narrow the options by gear speed, spool depth, handle configuration, and retrieve side.

If you need a 200-size left-hand baitcaster with high gearing, look for 201HG. If you need a compact-body 3000 spinning reel with a shallow spool, double handle, and high gearing, C3000SDHHG describes that combination.

The code is a fast filter, not a replacement for the specification table. Once you have a shortlist, compare line capacity, maximum retrieve, weight, and spool dimensions. If you plan to use replacement spools, confirm the combination with Shimano's official spool compatibility chart.

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