diff --git a/examples/gpt2/examples/gpt2.rs b/examples/gpt2/examples/gpt2.rs
index d21a848..46af77a 100644
--- a/examples/gpt2/examples/gpt2.rs
+++ b/examples/gpt2/examples/gpt2.rs
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ fn main() -> ort::Result<()> {
 	stdout.flush().unwrap();
 
 	for _ in 0..GEN_TOKENS {
-		// Raw tensor construction takes a tuple of (dimensions, data).
+		// Raw tensor construction takes a tuple of (shape, data).
 		// The model expects our input to have shape [B, _, S]
 		let input = TensorRef::from_array_view((vec![1, 1, tokens.len() as i64], tokens.as_slice()))?;
 		let outputs = session.run(inputs![input])?;
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 62edd4c..de9aa43 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ pub mod tensor;
 #[cfg(feature = "training")]
 #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "training")))]
 pub mod training;
+#[doc(hidden)]
 pub mod util;
 pub mod value;
 
diff --git a/src/operator/kernel.rs b/src/operator/kernel.rs
index 8177c11..d9617be 100644
--- a/src/operator/kernel.rs
+++ b/src/operator/kernel.rs
@@ -6,14 +6,13 @@ use core::{
 	slice
 };
 
-use smallvec::SmallVec;
-
 use crate::{
 	AsPointer,
 	error::{Error, Result},
 	memory::{Allocator, MemoryInfo, MemoryType},
 	ortsys,
 	session::{Input, Output},
+	tensor::Shape,
 	util::with_cstr,
 	value::{DowncastableTarget, DynValue, Value, ValueRef, ValueRefMut, ValueType}
 };
@@ -350,9 +349,9 @@ impl KernelContext {
 		Ok(NonNull::new(value_ptr.cast_mut()).map(|c| ValueRef::new(unsafe { Value::from_ptr_nodrop(c, None) })))
 	}
 
-	pub fn output(&self, idx: usize, shape: impl IntoIterator<Item = i64>) -> Result<Option<ValueRefMut<'_>>> {
+	pub fn output(&self, idx: usize, shape: impl Into<Shape>) -> Result<Option<ValueRefMut<'_>>> {
 		let mut value_ptr: *mut ort_sys::OrtValue = ptr::null_mut();
-		let shape = shape.into_iter().collect::<SmallVec<i64, 4>>();
+		let shape = shape.into();
 		ortsys![unsafe KernelContext_GetOutput(self.ptr.as_ptr(), idx, shape.as_ptr(), shape.len(), &mut value_ptr)?];
 		Ok(NonNull::new(value_ptr).map(|c| ValueRefMut::new(unsafe { Value::from_ptr_nodrop(c, None) })))
 	}
diff --git a/src/tensor/mod.rs b/src/tensor/mod.rs
index e179f51..f484763 100644
--- a/src/tensor/mod.rs
+++ b/src/tensor/mod.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,126 @@
-//! Traits related to [`Tensor`](crate::value::Tensor)s.
+//! Traits and types related to [`Tensor`](crate::value::Tensor)s.
 
 #[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
 mod ndarray;
 mod types;
 
+use alloc::{string::String, vec::Vec};
+use core::{
+	fmt,
+	ops::{Deref, DerefMut}
+};
+
+use smallvec::{SmallVec, smallvec};
+
 #[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
 pub use self::ndarray::ArrayExtensions;
 pub use self::types::{IntoTensorElementType, PrimitiveTensorElementType, TensorElementType, Utf8Data};
+
+#[derive(Default, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct Shape {
+	inner: SmallVec<i64, 4>
+}
+
+impl Shape {
+	pub fn new(dims: impl IntoIterator<Item = i64>) -> Self {
+		Self { inner: dims.into_iter().collect() }
+	}
+
+	pub fn empty(rank: usize) -> Self {
+		Self { inner: smallvec![0; rank] }
+	}
+
+	#[doc(alias = "numel")]
+	pub fn num_elements(&self) -> usize {
+		let mut size = 1usize;
+		for dim in &self.inner {
+			if *dim < 0 {
+				return 0;
+			}
+			size *= *dim as usize;
+		}
+		size
+	}
+
+	#[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
+	#[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "ndarray")))]
+	pub fn to_ixdyn(&self) -> ::ndarray::IxDyn {
+		use ::ndarray::IntoDimension;
+		self.inner.iter().map(|d| *d as usize).collect::<Vec<usize>>().into_dimension()
+	}
+}
+
+impl fmt::Debug for Shape {
+	fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+		f.debug_list().entries(self.inner.iter()).finish()
+	}
+}
+
+impl fmt::Display for Shape {
+	fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
+		f.debug_list().entries(self.inner.iter()).finish()
+	}
+}
+
+impl From<Vec<i64>> for Shape {
+	fn from(value: Vec<i64>) -> Self {
+		Self { inner: SmallVec::from(value) }
+	}
+}
+
+impl From<&[i64]> for Shape {
+	fn from(value: &[i64]) -> Self {
+		Self { inner: SmallVec::from(value) }
+	}
+}
+
+impl<const N: usize> From<[i64; N]> for Shape {
+	fn from(value: [i64; N]) -> Self {
+		Self { inner: SmallVec::from(value) }
+	}
+}
+
+impl FromIterator<i64> for Shape {
+	fn from_iter<T: IntoIterator<Item = i64>>(iter: T) -> Self {
+		Self { inner: iter.into_iter().collect() }
+	}
+}
+
+impl Deref for Shape {
+	type Target = [i64];
+	fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
+		&self.inner
+	}
+}
+
+impl DerefMut for Shape {
+	fn deref_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Self::Target {
+		&mut self.inner
+	}
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct SymbolicDimensions(SmallVec<String, 4>);
+
+impl SymbolicDimensions {
+	pub fn new(dims: impl IntoIterator<Item = String>) -> Self {
+		Self(dims.into_iter().collect())
+	}
+
+	pub fn empty(rank: usize) -> Self {
+		Self(smallvec![String::default(); rank])
+	}
+}
+
+impl FromIterator<String> for SymbolicDimensions {
+	fn from_iter<T: IntoIterator<Item = String>>(iter: T) -> Self {
+		Self(iter.into_iter().collect())
+	}
+}
+
+impl Deref for SymbolicDimensions {
+	type Target = [String];
+	fn deref(&self) -> &Self::Target {
+		&self.0
+	}
+}
diff --git a/src/util.rs b/src/util.rs
index 6fd90cf..bde35fa 100644
--- a/src/util.rs
+++ b/src/util.rs
@@ -303,17 +303,6 @@ impl<T> Drop for OnceLock<T> {
 #[doc(hidden)]
 pub fn cold() {}
 
-pub fn element_count(shape: &[i64]) -> usize {
-	let mut size = 1usize;
-	for dim in shape {
-		if *dim < 0 {
-			return 0;
-		}
-		size *= *dim as usize;
-	}
-	size
-}
-
 #[inline]
 pub(crate) fn with_cstr<T>(bytes: &[u8], f: &dyn Fn(&CStr) -> Result<T>) -> Result<T> {
 	fn run_with_heap_cstr<T>(bytes: &[u8], f: &dyn Fn(&CStr) -> Result<T>) -> Result<T> {
diff --git a/src/value/impl_map.rs b/src/value/impl_map.rs
index 1dccab2..3c7dc32 100644
--- a/src/value/impl_map.rs
+++ b/src/value/impl_map.rs
@@ -20,8 +20,7 @@ use crate::{
 	error::{Error, Result},
 	memory::Allocator,
 	ortsys,
-	tensor::{IntoTensorElementType, PrimitiveTensorElementType, TensorElementType},
-	util::element_count
+	tensor::{IntoTensorElementType, PrimitiveTensorElementType, TensorElementType}
 };
 
 pub trait MapValueTypeMarker: ValueTypeMarker {
@@ -109,7 +108,7 @@ impl<Type: MapValueTypeMarker + ?Sized> Value<Type> {
 				if K::into_tensor_element_type() != TensorElementType::String {
 					let dtype = key_value.dtype();
 					let (key_tensor_shape, key_tensor) = match dtype {
-						ValueType::Tensor { ty, dimensions, .. } => {
+						ValueType::Tensor { ty, shape, .. } => {
 							let mem = key_value.memory_info();
 							if !mem.is_cpu_accessible() {
 								return Err(Error::new(format!(
@@ -124,8 +123,7 @@ impl<Type: MapValueTypeMarker + ?Sized> Value<Type> {
 								let output_array_ptr_ptr_void: *mut *mut c_void = output_array_ptr_ptr.cast();
 								ortsys![unsafe GetTensorMutableData(key_tensor_ptr, output_array_ptr_ptr_void)?; nonNull(output_array_ptr)];
 
-								let len = element_count(dimensions);
-								(dimensions, unsafe { slice::from_raw_parts(output_array_ptr, len) })
+								(shape, unsafe { slice::from_raw_parts(output_array_ptr, shape.num_elements()) })
 							} else {
 								return Err(Error::new_with_code(
 									ErrorCode::InvalidArgument,
diff --git a/src/value/impl_tensor/create.rs b/src/value/impl_tensor/create.rs
index 464cc25..5c94b1e 100644
--- a/src/value/impl_tensor/create.rs
+++ b/src/value/impl_tensor/create.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use alloc::{boxed::Box, ffi::CString, format, string::String, sync::Arc, vec, vec::Vec};
+use alloc::{boxed::Box, ffi::CString, format, string::String, sync::Arc, vec::Vec};
 use core::{
 	any::Any,
 	ffi::c_void,
@@ -17,8 +17,7 @@ use crate::{
 	error::{Error, ErrorCode, Result},
 	memory::{Allocator, MemoryInfo},
 	ortsys,
-	tensor::{PrimitiveTensorElementType, TensorElementType, Utf8Data},
-	util::element_count,
+	tensor::{PrimitiveTensorElementType, Shape, SymbolicDimensions, TensorElementType, Utf8Data},
 	value::{Value, ValueInner, ValueType}
 };
 
@@ -78,8 +77,8 @@ impl Tensor<String> {
 				ptr: unsafe { NonNull::new_unchecked(value_ptr) },
 				dtype: ValueType::Tensor {
 					ty: TensorElementType::String,
-					dimensions: shape,
-					dimension_symbols: vec![String::default(); shape_len]
+					shape,
+					dimension_symbols: SymbolicDimensions::empty(shape_len)
 				},
 				memory_info: MemoryInfo::from_value(value_ptr),
 				drop: true,
@@ -109,7 +108,7 @@ impl<T: PrimitiveTensorElementType + Debug> Tensor<T> {
 	/// # Ok(())
 	/// # }
 	/// ```
-	pub fn new(allocator: &Allocator, shape: impl ToDimensions) -> Result<Tensor<T>> {
+	pub fn new(allocator: &Allocator, shape: impl Into<Shape>) -> Result<Tensor<T>> {
 		let tensor = DynTensor::new(allocator, T::into_tensor_element_type(), shape)?;
 		Ok(unsafe { tensor.transmute_type() })
 	}
@@ -141,17 +140,16 @@ impl<T: PrimitiveTensorElementType + Debug> Tensor<T> {
 	///
 	/// Creating string tensors requires a separate method; see [`Tensor::from_string_array`].
 	pub fn from_array(input: impl OwnedTensorArrayData<T>) -> Result<Tensor<T>> {
-		let TensorArrayDataParts { shape, ptr, num_elements, guard } = input.into_parts()?;
-		tensor_from_array(MemoryInfo::default(), shape, ptr.as_ptr().cast(), num_elements, size_of::<T>(), T::into_tensor_element_type(), guard)
+		let TensorArrayDataParts { shape, ptr, guard } = input.into_parts()?;
+		tensor_from_array(MemoryInfo::default(), shape, ptr.as_ptr().cast(), size_of::<T>(), T::into_tensor_element_type(), guard)
 			.map(|tensor| unsafe { tensor.transmute_type() })
 	}
 }
 
 fn tensor_from_array(
 	memory_info: MemoryInfo,
-	shape: Vec<i64>,
+	shape: Shape,
 	data: *mut c_void,
-	num_elements: usize,
 	element_size: usize,
 	element_type: TensorElementType,
 	guard: Option<Box<dyn Any>>
@@ -162,7 +160,7 @@ fn tensor_from_array(
 		unsafe CreateTensorWithDataAsOrtValue(
 			memory_info.ptr(),
 			data,
-			num_elements * element_size,
+			shape.num_elements() * element_size,
 			shape.as_ptr(),
 			shape.len(),
 			element_type.into(),
@@ -176,8 +174,8 @@ fn tensor_from_array(
 			ptr: unsafe { NonNull::new_unchecked(value_ptr) },
 			dtype: ValueType::Tensor {
 				ty: element_type,
-				dimension_symbols: vec![String::default(); shape.len()],
-				dimensions: shape
+				dimension_symbols: SymbolicDimensions::empty(shape.len()),
+				shape
 			},
 			drop: true,
 			memory_info: Some(memory_info),
@@ -219,15 +217,11 @@ impl<'a, T: PrimitiveTensorElementType + Debug> TensorRef<'a, T> {
 	/// returned. See [`ndarray::ArrayBase::as_standard_layout`] to convert an array to a contiguous layout.
 	pub fn from_array_view(input: impl TensorArrayData<T> + 'a) -> Result<TensorRef<'a, T>> {
 		let (shape, data, guard) = input.ref_parts()?;
-		let num_elements = element_count(&shape);
-
-		tensor_from_array(MemoryInfo::default(), shape, data.as_ptr() as *mut _, num_elements, size_of::<T>(), T::into_tensor_element_type(), guard).map(
-			|tensor| {
-				let mut tensor: TensorRef<'_, T> = TensorRef::new(unsafe { tensor.transmute_type() });
-				tensor.upgradable = false;
-				tensor
-			}
-		)
+		tensor_from_array(MemoryInfo::default(), shape, data.as_ptr() as *mut _, size_of::<T>(), T::into_tensor_element_type(), guard).map(|tensor| {
+			let mut tensor: TensorRef<'_, T> = TensorRef::new(unsafe { tensor.transmute_type() });
+			tensor.upgradable = false;
+			tensor
+		})
 	}
 }
 
@@ -262,21 +256,17 @@ impl<'a, T: PrimitiveTensorElementType + Debug> TensorRefMut<'a, T> {
 	/// returned. See [`ndarray::ArrayBase::as_standard_layout`] to convert an array to a contiguous layout.
 	pub fn from_array_view_mut(mut input: impl TensorArrayDataMut<T>) -> Result<TensorRefMut<'a, T>> {
 		let (shape, data, guard) = input.ref_parts_mut()?;
-		let num_elements = element_count(&shape);
-
-		tensor_from_array(MemoryInfo::default(), shape, data.as_ptr() as *mut _, num_elements, size_of::<T>(), T::into_tensor_element_type(), guard).map(
-			|tensor| {
-				let mut tensor: TensorRefMut<'_, T> = TensorRefMut::new(unsafe { tensor.transmute_type() });
-				tensor.upgradable = false;
-				tensor
-			}
-		)
+		tensor_from_array(MemoryInfo::default(), shape, data.as_ptr() as *mut _, size_of::<T>(), T::into_tensor_element_type(), guard).map(|tensor| {
+			let mut tensor: TensorRefMut<'_, T> = TensorRefMut::new(unsafe { tensor.transmute_type() });
+			tensor.upgradable = false;
+			tensor
+		})
 	}
 
 	/// Create a mutable tensor view from a raw pointer and shape.
 	///
 	/// The length of data is determined by `T` and the given shape, so the given buffer must be at least
-	/// `shape.iter().product() * size_of::<T>()` bytes.
+	/// `shape.num_elements() * size_of::<T>()` bytes.
 	///
 	/// This function can be used to create data from raw device memory, e.g. to directly provide data to an execution
 	/// provider. For instance, to create a tensor from a raw CUDA buffer using [`cudarc`](https://docs.rs/cudarc):
@@ -288,7 +278,7 @@ impl<'a, T: PrimitiveTensorElementType + Debug> TensorRefMut<'a, T> {
 	/// 	TensorRefMut::from_raw(
 	/// 		MemoryInfo::new(AllocationDevice::CUDA, 0, AllocatorType::Device, MemoryType::Default)?,
 	/// 		(*device_data.device_ptr() as usize as *mut ()).cast(),
-	/// 		vec![1, 3, 512, 512]
+	/// 		Shape::new([1, 3, 512, 512])
 	/// 	)?
 	/// };
 	/// ```
@@ -296,9 +286,8 @@ impl<'a, T: PrimitiveTensorElementType + Debug> TensorRefMut<'a, T> {
 	/// # Safety
 	/// - The pointer must be valid for the device description provided by `MemoryInfo`.
 	/// - The returned tensor must outlive the data described by the data pointer.
-	pub unsafe fn from_raw(info: MemoryInfo, data: *mut ort_sys::c_void, shape: Vec<i64>) -> Result<TensorRefMut<'a, T>> {
-		let num_elements = element_count(&shape);
-		tensor_from_array(info, shape, data, num_elements, size_of::<T>(), T::into_tensor_element_type(), None).map(|tensor| {
+	pub unsafe fn from_raw(info: MemoryInfo, data: *mut ort_sys::c_void, shape: Shape) -> Result<TensorRefMut<'a, T>> {
+		tensor_from_array(info, shape, data, size_of::<T>(), T::into_tensor_element_type(), None).map(|tensor| {
 			let mut tensor: TensorRefMut<'_, T> = TensorRefMut::new(unsafe { tensor.transmute_type() });
 			tensor.upgradable = false;
 			tensor
@@ -308,14 +297,14 @@ impl<'a, T: PrimitiveTensorElementType + Debug> TensorRefMut<'a, T> {
 
 pub trait TensorArrayData<I> {
 	#[allow(clippy::type_complexity)]
-	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &[I], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)>;
+	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Shape, &[I], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)>;
 
 	private_trait!();
 }
 
 pub trait TensorArrayDataMut<I>: TensorArrayData<I> {
 	#[allow(clippy::type_complexity)]
-	fn ref_parts_mut(&mut self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &mut [I], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)>;
+	fn ref_parts_mut(&mut self) -> Result<(Shape, &mut [I], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)>;
 
 	private_trait!();
 }
@@ -327,20 +316,19 @@ pub trait OwnedTensorArrayData<I> {
 }
 
 pub struct TensorArrayDataParts<I> {
-	pub shape: Vec<i64>,
+	pub shape: Shape,
 	pub ptr: NonNull<I>,
-	pub num_elements: usize,
 	pub guard: Option<Box<dyn Any>>
 }
 
 pub trait ToDimensions {
-	fn to_dimensions(&self, expected_size: Option<usize>) -> Result<Vec<i64>>;
+	fn to_dimensions(&self, expected_size: Option<usize>) -> Result<Shape>;
 }
 
 macro_rules! impl_to_dimensions {
 	(@inner) => {
-		fn to_dimensions(&self, expected_size: Option<usize>) -> Result<Vec<i64>> {
-			let v: Vec<i64> = self
+		fn to_dimensions(&self, expected_size: Option<usize>) -> Result<Shape> {
+			let v = self
 				.iter()
 				.enumerate()
 				.map(|(i, c)| {
@@ -353,13 +341,17 @@ macro_rules! impl_to_dimensions {
 						))
 					}
 				})
-				.collect::<Result<_>>()?;
-			let sum = element_count(&v);
+				.collect::<Result<Shape>>()?;
 			if let Some(expected_size) = expected_size {
-				if sum != expected_size {
+				if v.num_elements() != expected_size {
 					Err(Error::new_with_code(
 						ErrorCode::InvalidArgument,
-						format!("Cannot create a tensor from raw data; shape {:?} ({} elements) is larger than the length of the data provided ({} elements)", v, sum, expected_size)
+						format!(
+							"Cannot create a tensor from raw data; shape {:?} ({} elements) is larger than the length of the data provided ({} elements)",
+							v,
+							v.num_elements(),
+							expected_size
+						)
 					))
 				} else {
 					Ok(v)
@@ -382,21 +374,21 @@ macro_rules! impl_to_dimensions {
 }
 
 impl ToDimensions for () {
-	fn to_dimensions(&self, expected_size: Option<usize>) -> Result<Vec<i64>> {
+	fn to_dimensions(&self, expected_size: Option<usize>) -> Result<Shape> {
 		match expected_size {
-			Some(1) | None => Ok(vec![]),
+			Some(1) | None => Ok(Shape::default()),
 			Some(_) => Err(Error::new_with_code(ErrorCode::InvalidArgument, "Expected data to have a length of exactly 1 for scalar shape"))
 		}
 	}
 }
-impl_to_dimensions!(for &[usize], for &[i32], for &[i64], for Vec<usize>, for Vec<i32>, for Vec<i64>);
+impl_to_dimensions!(for Shape, for &[usize], for &[i32], for &[i64], for Vec<usize>, for Vec<i32>, for Vec<i64>);
 impl_to_dimensions!(<N> for [usize; N], for [i32; N], for [i64; N]);
 
 #[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
 #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "ndarray")))]
 impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayData<T> for &CowArray<'_, T, D> {
-	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
-		let shape: Vec<i64> = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
+	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Shape, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
+		let shape = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
 		let data = self
 			.as_slice()
 			.ok_or_else(|| Error::new("Array has a non-contiguous layout and cannot be used to construct a Tensor"))?;
@@ -409,8 +401,8 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayData<T> for &CowArra
 #[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
 #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "ndarray")))]
 impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayData<T> for ArcArray<T, D> {
-	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
-		let shape: Vec<i64> = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
+	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Shape, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
+		let shape = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
 		let data = self
 			.as_slice()
 			.ok_or_else(|| Error::new("Array has a non-contiguous layout and cannot be used to construct a Tensor"))?;
@@ -423,8 +415,8 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayData<T> for ArcArray
 #[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
 #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "ndarray")))]
 impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayData<T> for &Array<T, D> {
-	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
-		let shape: Vec<i64> = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
+	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Shape, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
+		let shape = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
 		let data = self
 			.as_slice()
 			.ok_or_else(|| Error::new("Array has a non-contiguous layout and cannot be used to construct a Tensor"))?;
@@ -437,8 +429,8 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayData<T> for &Array<T
 #[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
 #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "ndarray")))]
 impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayData<T> for &mut Array<T, D> {
-	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
-		let shape: Vec<i64> = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
+	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Shape, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
+		let shape = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
 		let data = self
 			.as_slice()
 			.ok_or_else(|| Error::new("Array has a non-contiguous layout and cannot be used to construct a Tensor"))?;
@@ -455,27 +447,21 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> OwnedTensorArrayData<T> for Arr
 		if self.is_standard_layout() {
 			// We can avoid the copy here and use the data as is
 			let mut this = Box::new(self);
-			let shape: Vec<i64> = this.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
+			let shape: Shape = this.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
 			// SAFETY: ndarrays internally store their pointer as NonNull
 			let ptr = unsafe { NonNull::new_unchecked(this.as_mut_ptr()) };
-			let num_elements = this.len();
-			Ok(TensorArrayDataParts {
-				shape,
-				ptr,
-				num_elements,
-				guard: Some(this)
-			})
+			assert_eq!(this.len(), shape.num_elements());
+			Ok(TensorArrayDataParts { shape, ptr, guard: Some(this) })
 		} else {
 			// Need to do a copy here to get data in to standard layout
 			let mut contiguous_array = self.as_standard_layout().into_owned();
-			let shape: Vec<i64> = contiguous_array.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
+			let shape: Shape = contiguous_array.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
 			// SAFETY: ndarrays internally store their pointer as NonNull
 			let ptr = unsafe { NonNull::new_unchecked(contiguous_array.as_mut_ptr()) };
-			let num_elements: usize = contiguous_array.len();
+			assert_eq!(contiguous_array.len(), shape.num_elements());
 			Ok(TensorArrayDataParts {
 				shape,
 				ptr,
-				num_elements,
 				guard: Some(Box::new(contiguous_array))
 			})
 		}
@@ -487,8 +473,8 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> OwnedTensorArrayData<T> for Arr
 #[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
 #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "ndarray")))]
 impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayData<T> for ArrayView<'_, T, D> {
-	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
-		let shape: Vec<i64> = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
+	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Shape, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
+		let shape = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
 		let data = self
 			.as_slice()
 			.ok_or_else(|| Error::new("Array has a non-contiguous layout and cannot be used to construct a Tensor"))?;
@@ -501,8 +487,8 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayData<T> for ArrayVie
 #[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
 #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "ndarray")))]
 impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayData<T> for ArrayViewMut<'_, T, D> {
-	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
-		let shape: Vec<i64> = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
+	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Shape, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
+		let shape = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
 		let data = self
 			.as_slice()
 			.ok_or_else(|| Error::new("Array has a non-contiguous layout and cannot be used to construct a Tensor"))?;
@@ -515,8 +501,8 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayData<T> for ArrayVie
 #[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
 #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "ndarray")))]
 impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayDataMut<T> for ArrayViewMut<'_, T, D> {
-	fn ref_parts_mut(&mut self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &mut [T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
-		let shape: Vec<i64> = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
+	fn ref_parts_mut(&mut self) -> Result<(Shape, &mut [T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
+		let shape = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
 		let data = self
 			.as_slice_mut()
 			.ok_or_else(|| Error::new("Array has a non-contiguous layout and cannot be used to construct a Tensor"))?;
@@ -529,8 +515,8 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayDataMut<T> for Array
 #[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
 #[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "ndarray")))]
 impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayDataMut<T> for &mut Array<T, D> {
-	fn ref_parts_mut(&mut self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &mut [T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
-		let shape: Vec<i64> = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
+	fn ref_parts_mut(&mut self) -> Result<(Shape, &mut [T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
+		let shape = self.shape().iter().map(|d| *d as i64).collect();
 		let data = self
 			.as_slice_mut()
 			.ok_or_else(|| Error::new("Array has a non-contiguous layout and cannot be used to construct a Tensor"))?;
@@ -541,7 +527,7 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: Dimension + 'static> TensorArrayDataMut<T> for &mut
 }
 
 impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: ToDimensions> TensorArrayData<T> for (D, &[T]) {
-	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
+	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Shape, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
 		let shape = self.0.to_dimensions(Some(self.1.len()))?;
 		Ok((shape, self.1, None))
 	}
@@ -550,7 +536,7 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: ToDimensions> TensorArrayData<T> for (D, &[T]) {
 }
 
 impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: ToDimensions> TensorArrayData<T> for (D, &mut [T]) {
-	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
+	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Shape, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
 		let shape = self.0.to_dimensions(Some(self.1.len()))?;
 		Ok((shape, self.1, None))
 	}
@@ -559,7 +545,7 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: ToDimensions> TensorArrayData<T> for (D, &mut [T]) {
 }
 
 impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: ToDimensions> TensorArrayDataMut<T> for (D, &mut [T]) {
-	fn ref_parts_mut(&mut self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &mut [T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
+	fn ref_parts_mut(&mut self) -> Result<(Shape, &mut [T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
 		let shape = self.0.to_dimensions(Some(self.1.len()))?;
 		Ok((shape, self.1, None))
 	}
@@ -572,11 +558,10 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: ToDimensions> OwnedTensorArrayData<T> for (D, Vec<T>
 		let shape = self.0.to_dimensions(Some(self.1.len()))?;
 		// SAFETY: A `Vec` always has a non-null pointer.
 		let ptr = unsafe { NonNull::new_unchecked(self.1.as_mut_ptr()) };
-		let num_elements: usize = self.1.len();
+		assert_eq!(shape.num_elements(), self.1.len());
 		Ok(TensorArrayDataParts {
 			shape,
 			ptr,
-			num_elements,
 			guard: Some(Box::new(self.1))
 		})
 	}
@@ -589,11 +574,10 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: ToDimensions> OwnedTensorArrayData<T> for (D, Box<[T
 		let shape = self.0.to_dimensions(Some(self.1.len()))?;
 		// SAFETY: A `Box` always has a non-null pointer.
 		let ptr = unsafe { NonNull::new_unchecked(self.1.as_mut_ptr()) };
-		let num_elements: usize = self.1.len();
+		assert_eq!(shape.num_elements(), self.1.len());
 		Ok(TensorArrayDataParts {
 			shape,
 			ptr,
-			num_elements,
 			guard: Some(Box::new(self.1))
 		})
 	}
@@ -602,7 +586,7 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: ToDimensions> OwnedTensorArrayData<T> for (D, Box<[T
 }
 
 impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: ToDimensions> TensorArrayData<T> for (D, Arc<[T]>) {
-	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
+	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Shape, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
 		let shape = self.0.to_dimensions(Some(self.1.len()))?;
 		let data = &*self.1;
 		Ok((shape, data, Some(Box::new(self.1.clone()))))
@@ -612,7 +596,7 @@ impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: ToDimensions> TensorArrayData<T> for (D, Arc<[T]>) {
 }
 
 impl<T: Clone + 'static, D: ToDimensions> TensorArrayData<T> for (D, Arc<Box<[T]>>) {
-	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Vec<i64>, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
+	fn ref_parts(&self) -> Result<(Shape, &[T], Option<Box<dyn Any>>)> {
 		let shape = self.0.to_dimensions(Some(self.1.len()))?;
 		let data = &*self.1;
 		Ok((shape, data, Some(Box::new(self.1.clone()))))
diff --git a/src/value/impl_tensor/extract.rs b/src/value/impl_tensor/extract.rs
index 6d30788..8a34dea 100644
--- a/src/value/impl_tensor/extract.rs
+++ b/src/value/impl_tensor/extract.rs
@@ -12,8 +12,7 @@ use crate::{
 	error::{Error, ErrorCode, Result},
 	memory::MemoryInfo,
 	ortsys,
-	tensor::{PrimitiveTensorElementType, TensorElementType},
-	util::element_count,
+	tensor::{PrimitiveTensorElementType, Shape, TensorElementType},
 	value::{Value, ValueType}
 };
 
@@ -49,11 +48,8 @@ impl<Type: TensorValueTypeMarker + ?Sized> Value<Type> {
 	#[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
 	#[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "ndarray")))]
 	pub fn try_extract_tensor<T: PrimitiveTensorElementType>(&self) -> Result<ndarray::ArrayViewD<'_, T>> {
-		use ndarray::IntoDimension;
-		extract_tensor(self.ptr().cast_mut(), self.dtype(), self.memory_info(), T::into_tensor_element_type()).and_then(|(ptr, dimensions)| {
-			let shape = dimensions.iter().map(|&n| n as usize).collect::<Vec<_>>().into_dimension();
-			Ok(unsafe { ndarray::ArrayView::from_shape_ptr(shape, data_ptr(ptr)?.cast::<T>()) })
-		})
+		extract_tensor(self.ptr().cast_mut(), self.dtype(), self.memory_info(), T::into_tensor_element_type())
+			.and_then(|(ptr, shape)| Ok(unsafe { ndarray::ArrayView::from_shape_ptr(shape.to_ixdyn(), data_ptr(ptr)?.cast::<T>()) }))
 	}
 
 	/// Attempt to extract the scalar from a tensor of type `T`.
@@ -80,11 +76,11 @@ impl<Type: TensorValueTypeMarker + ?Sized> Value<Type> {
 	///
 	/// [`DynValue`]: crate::value::DynValue
 	pub fn try_extract_scalar<T: PrimitiveTensorElementType + Copy>(&self) -> Result<T> {
-		extract_tensor(self.ptr().cast_mut(), self.dtype(), self.memory_info(), T::into_tensor_element_type()).and_then(|(ptr, dimensions)| {
-			if !dimensions.is_empty() {
+		extract_tensor(self.ptr().cast_mut(), self.dtype(), self.memory_info(), T::into_tensor_element_type()).and_then(|(ptr, shape)| {
+			if !shape.is_empty() {
 				return Err(Error::new_with_code(
 					ErrorCode::InvalidArgument,
-					format!("Cannot extract scalar {} from a tensor of dimensionality {}", T::into_tensor_element_type(), dimensions.len())
+					format!("Cannot extract scalar {} from a tensor of dimensionality {}", T::into_tensor_element_type(), shape.len())
 				));
 			}
 
@@ -122,14 +118,11 @@ impl<Type: TensorValueTypeMarker + ?Sized> Value<Type> {
 	#[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
 	#[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "ndarray")))]
 	pub fn try_extract_tensor_mut<T: PrimitiveTensorElementType>(&mut self) -> Result<ndarray::ArrayViewMutD<'_, T>> {
-		use ndarray::IntoDimension;
-		extract_tensor(self.ptr_mut(), self.dtype(), self.memory_info(), T::into_tensor_element_type()).and_then(|(ptr, dimensions)| {
-			let shape = dimensions.iter().map(|&n| n as usize).collect::<Vec<_>>().into_dimension();
-			Ok(unsafe { ndarray::ArrayViewMut::from_shape_ptr(shape, data_ptr(ptr)?.cast::<T>()) })
-		})
+		extract_tensor(self.ptr_mut(), self.dtype(), self.memory_info(), T::into_tensor_element_type())
+			.and_then(|(ptr, shape)| Ok(unsafe { ndarray::ArrayViewMut::from_shape_ptr(shape.to_ixdyn(), data_ptr(ptr)?.cast::<T>()) }))
 	}
 
-	/// Attempt to extract the underlying data into a "raw" view tuple, consisting of the tensor's dimensions and an
+	/// Attempt to extract the underlying data into a "raw" view tuple, consisting of the tensor's shape and an
 	/// immutable view into its data.
 	///
 	/// See also:
@@ -145,7 +138,7 @@ impl<Type: TensorValueTypeMarker + ?Sized> Value<Type> {
 	///
 	/// let (extracted_shape, extracted_data) = value.try_extract_raw_tensor::<i64>()?;
 	/// assert_eq!(extracted_data, &array);
-	/// assert_eq!(extracted_shape, [5]);
+	/// assert_eq!(**extracted_shape, [5]);
 	/// # 	Ok(())
 	/// # }
 	/// ```
@@ -157,12 +150,12 @@ impl<Type: TensorValueTypeMarker + ?Sized> Value<Type> {
 	/// - The provided type `T` does not match the tensor's element type.
 	///
 	/// [`DynValue`]: crate::value::DynValue
-	pub fn try_extract_raw_tensor<T: PrimitiveTensorElementType>(&self) -> Result<(&[i64], &[T])> {
+	pub fn try_extract_raw_tensor<T: PrimitiveTensorElementType>(&self) -> Result<(&Shape, &[T])> {
 		extract_tensor(self.ptr().cast_mut(), self.dtype(), self.memory_info(), T::into_tensor_element_type())
-			.and_then(|(ptr, dimensions)| Ok((dimensions, unsafe { slice::from_raw_parts(data_ptr(ptr)?.cast::<T>(), element_count(dimensions)) })))
+			.and_then(|(ptr, shape)| Ok((shape, unsafe { slice::from_raw_parts(data_ptr(ptr)?.cast::<T>(), shape.num_elements()) })))
 	}
 
-	/// Attempt to extract the underlying data into a "raw" view tuple, consisting of the tensor's dimensions and a
+	/// Attempt to extract the underlying data into a "raw" view tuple, consisting of the tensor's shape and a
 	/// mutable view into its data.
 	///
 	/// See also the infallible counterpart, [`Tensor::extract_raw_tensor_mut`], for typed [`Tensor<T>`]s.
@@ -175,7 +168,7 @@ impl<Type: TensorValueTypeMarker + ?Sized> Value<Type> {
 	///
 	/// let (extracted_shape, extracted_data) = value.try_extract_raw_tensor_mut::<i64>()?;
 	/// assert_eq!(extracted_data, &array);
-	/// assert_eq!(extracted_shape, [5]);
+	/// assert_eq!(**extracted_shape, [5]);
 	/// # 	Ok(())
 	/// # }
 	/// ```
@@ -187,9 +180,9 @@ impl<Type: TensorValueTypeMarker + ?Sized> Value<Type> {
 	/// - The provided type `T` does not match the tensor's element type.
 	///
 	/// [`DynValue`]: crate::value::DynValue
-	pub fn try_extract_raw_tensor_mut<T: PrimitiveTensorElementType>(&mut self) -> Result<(&[i64], &mut [T])> {
+	pub fn try_extract_raw_tensor_mut<T: PrimitiveTensorElementType>(&mut self) -> Result<(&Shape, &mut [T])> {
 		extract_tensor(self.ptr_mut(), self.dtype(), self.memory_info(), T::into_tensor_element_type())
-			.and_then(|(ptr, dimensions)| Ok((dimensions, unsafe { slice::from_raw_parts_mut(data_ptr(ptr)?.cast::<T>(), element_count(dimensions)) })))
+			.and_then(|(ptr, shape)| Ok((shape, unsafe { slice::from_raw_parts_mut(data_ptr(ptr)?.cast::<T>(), shape.num_elements()) })))
 	}
 
 	/// Attempt to extract the underlying data into a Rust `ndarray`.
@@ -208,15 +201,13 @@ impl<Type: TensorValueTypeMarker + ?Sized> Value<Type> {
 	#[cfg(feature = "ndarray")]
 	#[cfg_attr(docsrs, doc(cfg(feature = "ndarray")))]
 	pub fn try_extract_string_tensor(&self) -> Result<ndarray::ArrayD<String>> {
-		use ndarray::IntoDimension;
-		extract_tensor(self.ptr().cast_mut(), self.dtype(), self.memory_info(), TensorElementType::String).and_then(|(ptr, dimensions)| {
-			let strings = extract_strings(ptr, dimensions)?;
-			Ok(ndarray::Array::from_shape_vec(dimensions.iter().map(|&n| n as usize).collect::<Vec<_>>().into_dimension(), strings)
-				.expect("Shape extracted from tensor didn't match tensor contents"))
+		extract_tensor(self.ptr().cast_mut(), self.dtype(), self.memory_info(), TensorElementType::String).and_then(|(ptr, shape)| {
+			let strings = extract_strings(ptr, shape)?;
+			Ok(ndarray::Array::from_shape_vec(shape.to_ixdyn(), strings).expect("Shape extracted from tensor didn't match tensor contents"))
 		})
 	}
 
-	/// Attempt to extract the underlying string data into a "raw" data tuple, consisting of the tensor's dimensions and
+	/// Attempt to extract the underlying string data into a "raw" data tuple, consisting of the tensor's shape and
 	/// an owned `Vec` of its data.
 	///
 	/// ```
@@ -227,14 +218,14 @@ impl<Type: TensorValueTypeMarker + ?Sized> Value<Type> {
 	///
 	/// let (extracted_shape, extracted_data) = tensor.try_extract_raw_string_tensor()?;
 	/// assert_eq!(extracted_data, array);
-	/// assert_eq!(extracted_shape, [2]);
+	/// assert_eq!(**extracted_shape, [2]);
 	/// # 	Ok(())
 	/// # }
 	/// ```
-	pub fn try_extract_raw_string_tensor(&self) -> Result<(&[i64], Vec<String>)> {
-		extract_tensor(self.ptr().cast_mut(), self.dtype(), self.memory_info(), TensorElementType::String).and_then(|(ptr, dimensions)| {
-			let strings = extract_strings(ptr, dimensions)?;
-			Ok((dimensions, strings))
+	pub fn try_extract_raw_string_tensor(&self) -> Result<(&Shape, Vec<String>)> {
+		extract_tensor(self.ptr().cast_mut(), self.dtype(), self.memory_info(), TensorElementType::String).and_then(|(ptr, shape)| {
+			let strings = extract_strings(ptr, shape)?;
+			Ok((shape, strings))
 		})
 	}
 
@@ -246,13 +237,13 @@ impl<Type: TensorValueTypeMarker + ?Sized> Value<Type> {
 	/// # 	let allocator = Allocator::default();
 	/// let tensor = Tensor::<f32>::new(&allocator, [1, 128, 128, 3])?;
 	///
-	/// assert_eq!(tensor.shape(), [1, 128, 128, 3]);
+	/// assert_eq!(**tensor.shape(), [1, 128, 128, 3]);
 	/// # 	Ok(())
 	/// # }
 	/// ```
-	pub fn shape(&self) -> &[i64] {
+	pub fn shape(&self) -> &Shape {
 		match self.dtype() {
-			ValueType::Tensor { dimensions, .. } => dimensions,
+			ValueType::Tensor { shape, .. } => shape,
 			_ => unreachable!()
 		}
 	}
@@ -263,9 +254,9 @@ fn extract_tensor<'t>(
 	dtype: &'t ValueType,
 	memory_info: &MemoryInfo,
 	expected_ty: TensorElementType
-) -> Result<(*mut ort_sys::OrtValue, &'t [i64])> {
+) -> Result<(*mut ort_sys::OrtValue, &'t Shape)> {
 	match dtype {
-		ValueType::Tensor { ty, dimensions, .. } => {
+		ValueType::Tensor { ty, shape, .. } => {
 			if !memory_info.is_cpu_accessible() {
 				return Err(Error::new(format!(
 					"Cannot extract from value on device `{}`, which is not CPU accessible",
@@ -274,7 +265,7 @@ fn extract_tensor<'t>(
 			}
 
 			if *ty == expected_ty {
-				Ok((ptr, dimensions))
+				Ok((ptr, shape))
 			} else {
 				Err(Error::new_with_code(ErrorCode::InvalidArgument, format!("Cannot extract Tensor<{}> from Tensor<{}>", expected_ty, ty)))
 			}
@@ -289,9 +280,8 @@ unsafe fn data_ptr(ptr: *mut ort_sys::OrtValue) -> Result<*mut c_void> {
 	Ok(output_array_ptr)
 }
 
-fn extract_strings(ptr: *mut ort_sys::OrtValue, dimensions: &[i64]) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
-	let len = element_count(dimensions);
-
+fn extract_strings(ptr: *mut ort_sys::OrtValue, shape: &Shape) -> Result<Vec<String>> {
+	let len = shape.num_elements();
 	// Total length of string data, not including \0 suffix
 	let mut total_length = 0;
 	ortsys![unsafe GetStringTensorDataLength(ptr, &mut total_length)?];
@@ -368,7 +358,7 @@ impl<T: PrimitiveTensorElementType + Debug> Tensor<T> {
 		self.try_extract_tensor_mut().expect("Failed to extract tensor")
 	}
 
-	/// Extracts the underlying data into a "raw" view tuple, consisting of the tensor's dimensions and an immutable
+	/// Extracts the underlying data into a "raw" view tuple, consisting of the tensor's shapes and an immutable
 	/// view into its data.
 	///
 	/// ```
@@ -379,15 +369,15 @@ impl<T: PrimitiveTensorElementType + Debug> Tensor<T> {
 	///
 	/// let (extracted_shape, extracted_data) = tensor.extract_raw_tensor();
 	/// assert_eq!(extracted_data, &array);
-	/// assert_eq!(extracted_shape, [5]);
+	/// assert_eq!(**extracted_shape, [5]);
 	/// # 	Ok(())
 	/// # }
 	/// ```
-	pub fn extract_raw_tensor(&self) -> (&[i64], &[T]) {
+	pub fn extract_raw_tensor(&self) -> (&Shape, &[T]) {
 		self.try_extract_raw_tensor().expect("Failed to extract tensor")
 	}
 
-	/// Extracts the underlying data into a "raw" view tuple, consisting of the tensor's dimensions and a mutable view
+	/// Extracts the underlying data into a "raw" view tuple, consisting of the tensor's shapes and a mutable view
 	/// into its data.
 	///
 	/// ```
@@ -403,7 +393,7 @@ impl<T: PrimitiveTensorElementType + Debug> Tensor<T> {
 	/// # 	Ok(())
 	/// # }
 	/// ```
-	pub fn extract_raw_tensor_mut(&mut self) -> (&[i64], &mut [T]) {
+	pub fn extract_raw_tensor_mut(&mut self) -> (&Shape, &mut [T]) {
 		self.try_extract_raw_tensor_mut().expect("Failed to extract tensor")
 	}
 }
diff --git a/src/value/impl_tensor/mod.rs b/src/value/impl_tensor/mod.rs
index 31337e1..3971796 100644
--- a/src/value/impl_tensor/mod.rs
+++ b/src/value/impl_tensor/mod.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 mod create;
 mod extract;
 
-use alloc::{string::String, sync::Arc, vec};
+use alloc::sync::Arc;
 use core::{
 	fmt::{self, Debug},
 	marker::PhantomData,
@@ -16,8 +16,7 @@ use crate::{
 	error::Result,
 	memory::{Allocator, MemoryInfo},
 	ortsys,
-	tensor::{IntoTensorElementType, TensorElementType},
-	util::element_count
+	tensor::{IntoTensorElementType, Shape, SymbolicDimensions, TensorElementType}
 };
 
 pub trait TensorValueTypeMarker: ValueTypeMarker {
@@ -93,10 +92,13 @@ impl DynTensor {
 	/// # Ok(())
 	/// # }
 	/// ```
-	pub fn new(allocator: &Allocator, data_type: TensorElementType, shape: impl ToDimensions) -> Result<DynTensor> {
+	pub fn new(allocator: &Allocator, data_type: TensorElementType, shape: impl Into<Shape>) -> Result<DynTensor> {
+		Self::new_inner(allocator, data_type, shape.into())
+	}
+
+	fn new_inner(allocator: &Allocator, data_type: TensorElementType, shape: Shape) -> Result<DynTensor> {
 		let mut value_ptr: *mut ort_sys::OrtValue = ptr::null_mut();
 
-		let shape = shape.to_dimensions(None)?;
 		let shape_ptr: *const i64 = shape.as_ptr();
 		let shape_len = shape.len();
 
@@ -118,7 +120,7 @@ impl DynTensor {
 			let mut buffer_ptr: *mut ort_sys::c_void = ptr::null_mut();
 			ortsys![unsafe GetTensorMutableData(value_ptr, &mut buffer_ptr)?; nonNull(buffer_ptr)];
 
-			unsafe { buffer_ptr.write_bytes(0, data_type.byte_size(element_count(&shape))) };
+			unsafe { buffer_ptr.write_bytes(0, data_type.byte_size(shape.num_elements())) };
 		}
 
 		Ok(Value {
@@ -126,8 +128,8 @@ impl DynTensor {
 				ptr: unsafe { NonNull::new_unchecked(value_ptr) },
 				dtype: ValueType::Tensor {
 					ty: data_type,
-					dimensions: shape,
-					dimension_symbols: vec![String::default(); shape_len]
+					shape,
+					dimension_symbols: SymbolicDimensions::empty(shape_len)
 				},
 				drop: true,
 				memory_info: MemoryInfo::from_value(value_ptr),
@@ -338,7 +340,7 @@ mod tests {
 	use super::Tensor;
 	use crate::{
 		memory::Allocator,
-		tensor::TensorElementType,
+		tensor::{Shape, SymbolicDimensions, TensorElementType},
 		value::{TensorRef, ValueType}
 	};
 
@@ -350,12 +352,12 @@ mod tests {
 		assert_eq!(value.dtype().tensor_type(), Some(TensorElementType::Float32));
 		assert_eq!(value.dtype(), &ValueType::Tensor {
 			ty: TensorElementType::Float32,
-			dimensions: vec![v.len() as i64],
-			dimension_symbols: vec![String::default()]
+			shape: Shape::new([v.len() as i64]),
+			dimension_symbols: SymbolicDimensions::empty(1)
 		});
 
 		let (shape, data) = value.extract_raw_tensor();
-		assert_eq!(shape, vec![v.len() as i64]);
+		assert_eq!(&**shape, [v.len() as i64]);
 		assert_eq!(data, &v);
 
 		Ok(())
@@ -411,7 +413,7 @@ mod tests {
 
 		let value = Tensor::from_string_array((vec![v.len() as i64], &*v))?;
 		let (extracted_shape, extracted_view) = value.try_extract_raw_string_tensor()?;
-		assert_eq!(extracted_shape, [v.len() as i64]);
+		assert_eq!(&**extracted_shape, [v.len() as i64]);
 		assert_eq!(extracted_view, v);
 
 		Ok(())
@@ -437,7 +439,7 @@ mod tests {
 
 	#[test]
 	fn test_tensor_index() -> crate::Result<()> {
-		let mut tensor = Tensor::new(&Allocator::default(), [1, 3, 224, 224])?;
+		let mut tensor = Tensor::new(&Allocator::default(), Shape::new([1, 3, 224, 224]))?;
 
 		tensor[[0, 2, 42, 42]] = 1.0;
 		assert_eq!(tensor[[0, 2, 42, 42]], 1.0);
diff --git a/src/value/type.rs b/src/value/type.rs
index eb068a0..439a6e8 100644
--- a/src/value/type.rs
+++ b/src/value/type.rs
@@ -1,39 +1,45 @@
 use alloc::{
 	boxed::Box,
-	string::{String, ToString},
-	vec,
-	vec::Vec
-};
-use core::{
-	ffi::{CStr, c_char},
-	fmt, ptr
+	string::{String, ToString}
 };
+use core::{ffi::CStr, fmt, ptr};
 
-use crate::{ortsys, tensor::TensorElementType, util::with_cstr_ptr_array};
+use smallvec::{SmallVec, smallvec};
+
+use crate::{
+	ortsys,
+	tensor::{Shape, SymbolicDimensions, TensorElementType},
+	util::with_cstr_ptr_array
+};
 
 /// The type of a [`Value`][super::Value], or a session input/output.
 ///
 /// ```
 /// # use std::sync::Arc;
-/// # use ort::{session::Session, value::{ValueType, Tensor}, tensor::TensorElementType};
+/// # use ort::{session::Session, tensor::{Shape, SymbolicDimensions}, value::{ValueType, Tensor}, tensor::TensorElementType};
 /// # fn main() -> ort::Result<()> {
 /// # 	let session = Session::builder()?.commit_from_file("tests/data/upsample.onnx")?;
 /// // `ValueType`s can be obtained from session inputs/outputs:
 /// let input = &session.inputs[0];
 /// assert_eq!(input.input_type, ValueType::Tensor {
 /// 	ty: TensorElementType::Float32,
-/// 	// Our model has 3 dynamic dimensions, represented by -1
-/// 	dimensions: vec![-1, -1, -1, 3],
+/// 	// Our model's input has 3 dynamic dimensions, represented by -1
+/// 	shape: Shape::new([-1, -1, -1, 3]),
 /// 	// Dynamic dimensions may also have names.
-/// 	dimension_symbols: vec!["unk__31".to_string(), "unk__32".to_string(), "unk__33".to_string(), String::default()]
+/// 	dimension_symbols: SymbolicDimensions::new([
+/// 		"unk__31".to_string(),
+/// 		"unk__32".to_string(),
+/// 		"unk__33".to_string(),
+/// 		String::default()
+/// 	])
 /// });
 ///
 /// // ...or by `Value`s created in Rust or output by a session.
 /// let value = Tensor::from_array(([5usize], vec![1_i64, 2, 3, 4, 5].into_boxed_slice()))?;
 /// assert_eq!(value.dtype(), &ValueType::Tensor {
 /// 	ty: TensorElementType::Int64,
-/// 	dimensions: vec![5],
-/// 	dimension_symbols: vec![String::default()]
+/// 	shape: Shape::new([5]),
+/// 	dimension_symbols: SymbolicDimensions::new([String::default()])
 /// });
 /// # 	Ok(())
 /// # }
@@ -44,15 +50,16 @@ pub enum ValueType {
 	Tensor {
 		/// Element type of the tensor.
 		ty: TensorElementType,
-		/// Dimensions of the tensor. If an exact dimension is not known (i.e. a dynamic dimension as part of an
+		/// Shape of the tensor. If an exact dimension is not known (i.e. a dynamic dimension as part of an
 		/// [`Input`]/[`Output`]), the dimension will be `-1`.
 		///
-		/// Actual tensor values, which have a known dimension, will always have positive (>1) dimensions.
+		/// Actual tensor values (i.e. not [`Input`] or [`Output`] definitions), which have a known dimension, will
+		/// always have non-negative dimensions.
 		///
 		/// [`Input`]: crate::session::Input
 		/// [`Output`]: crate::session::Output
-		dimensions: Vec<i64>,
-		dimension_symbols: Vec<String>
+		shape: Shape,
+		dimension_symbols: SymbolicDimensions
 	},
 	/// A sequence (vector) of other `Value`s.
 	///
@@ -136,11 +143,11 @@ impl ValueType {
 
 	pub(crate) fn to_tensor_type_info(&self) -> Option<*mut ort_sys::OrtTensorTypeAndShapeInfo> {
 		match self {
-			Self::Tensor { ty, dimensions, dimension_symbols } => {
+			Self::Tensor { ty, shape, dimension_symbols } => {
 				let mut info_ptr = ptr::null_mut();
 				ortsys![unsafe CreateTensorTypeAndShapeInfo(&mut info_ptr).expect("infallible")];
 				ortsys![unsafe SetTensorElementType(info_ptr, (*ty).into()).expect("infallible")];
-				ortsys![unsafe SetDimensions(info_ptr, dimensions.as_ptr(), dimensions.len()).expect("infallible")];
+				ortsys![unsafe SetDimensions(info_ptr, shape.as_ptr(), shape.len()).expect("infallible")];
 				with_cstr_ptr_array(dimension_symbols, &|ptrs| {
 					ortsys![unsafe SetSymbolicDimensions(info_ptr, ptrs.as_ptr().cast_mut(), dimension_symbols.len()).expect("infallible")];
 					Ok(())
@@ -152,20 +159,22 @@ impl ValueType {
 		}
 	}
 
-	/// Returns the dimensions of this value type if it is a tensor, or `None` if it is a sequence or map.
+	/// Returns the shape of this value type if it is a tensor, or `None` if it is a sequence or map.
 	///
 	/// ```
-	/// # use ort::value::Tensor;
+	/// # use ort::value::{Tensor, DynValue};
 	/// # fn main() -> ort::Result<()> {
-	/// let value = Tensor::from_array(([5usize], vec![1_i64, 2, 3, 4, 5].into_boxed_slice()))?;
-	/// assert_eq!(value.dtype().tensor_dimensions(), Some(&vec![5]));
+	/// let value: DynValue = Tensor::from_array(([5usize], vec![1_i64, 2, 3, 4, 5].into_boxed_slice()))?.into_dyn();
+	///
+	/// let shape = value.dtype().tensor_shape().unwrap();
+	/// assert_eq!(**shape, [5]);
 	/// # 	Ok(())
 	/// # }
 	/// ```
 	#[must_use]
-	pub fn tensor_dimensions(&self) -> Option<&Vec<i64>> {
+	pub fn tensor_shape(&self) -> Option<&Shape> {
 		match self {
-			ValueType::Tensor { dimensions, .. } => Some(dimensions),
+			ValueType::Tensor { shape, .. } => Some(shape),
 			_ => None
 		}
 	}
@@ -213,9 +222,9 @@ impl ValueType {
 impl fmt::Display for ValueType {
 	fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter<'_>) -> fmt::Result {
 		match self {
-			ValueType::Tensor { ty, dimensions, dimension_symbols } => {
+			ValueType::Tensor { ty, shape, dimension_symbols } => {
 				write!(f, "Tensor<{ty}>(")?;
-				for (i, dimension) in dimensions.iter().copied().enumerate() {
+				for (i, dimension) in shape.iter().copied().enumerate() {
 					if dimension == -1 {
 						let sym = &dimension_symbols[i];
 						if sym.is_empty() {
@@ -226,7 +235,7 @@ impl fmt::Display for ValueType {
 					} else {
 						dimension.fmt(f)?;
 					}
-					if i != dimensions.len() - 1 {
+					if i != shape.len() - 1 {
 						f.write_str(", ")?;
 					}
 				}
@@ -248,10 +257,10 @@ pub(crate) unsafe fn extract_data_type_from_tensor_info(info_ptr: *const ort_sys
 	let mut num_dims = 0;
 	ortsys![unsafe GetDimensionsCount(info_ptr, &mut num_dims).expect("infallible")];
 
-	let mut node_dims: Vec<i64> = vec![0; num_dims];
+	let mut node_dims = Shape::empty(num_dims);
 	ortsys![unsafe GetDimensions(info_ptr, node_dims.as_mut_ptr(), num_dims).expect("infallible")];
 
-	let mut symbolic_dims: Vec<*const c_char> = vec![ptr::null(); num_dims];
+	let mut symbolic_dims: SmallVec<_, 4> = smallvec![ptr::null(); num_dims];
 	ortsys![unsafe GetSymbolicDimensions(info_ptr, symbolic_dims.as_mut_ptr(), num_dims).expect("infallible")];
 
 	let dimension_symbols = symbolic_dims
@@ -261,7 +270,7 @@ pub(crate) unsafe fn extract_data_type_from_tensor_info(info_ptr: *const ort_sys
 
 	ValueType::Tensor {
 		ty: type_sys.into(),
-		dimensions: node_dims,
+		shape: node_dims,
 		dimension_symbols
 	}
 }
@@ -288,14 +297,17 @@ unsafe fn extract_data_type_from_map_info(info_ptr: *const ort_sys::OrtMapTypeIn
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests {
 	use super::ValueType;
-	use crate::{ortsys, tensor::TensorElementType};
+	use crate::{
+		ortsys,
+		tensor::{Shape, SymbolicDimensions, TensorElementType}
+	};
 
 	#[test]
 	fn test_to_from_tensor_info() -> crate::Result<()> {
 		let ty = ValueType::Tensor {
 			ty: TensorElementType::Float32,
-			dimensions: vec![-1, 32, 4, 32],
-			dimension_symbols: vec!["d1".to_string(), String::default(), String::default(), String::default()]
+			shape: Shape::new([-1, 32, 4, 32]),
+			dimension_symbols: SymbolicDimensions::new(["d1".to_string(), String::default(), String::default(), String::default()])
 		};
 		let ty_ptr = ty.to_tensor_type_info().expect("");
 		let ty_d = unsafe { super::extract_data_type_from_tensor_info(ty_ptr) };
diff --git a/tests/mnist.rs b/tests/mnist.rs
index d2a55bf..c97a266 100644
--- a/tests/mnist.rs
+++ b/tests/mnist.rs
@@ -26,11 +26,11 @@ fn mnist_5() -> ort::Result<()> {
 		assert_eq!(metadata.name()?, "CNTKGraph");
 		assert_eq!(metadata.producer()?, "CNTK");
 
-		let input0_shape: &Vec<i64> = session.inputs[0].input_type.tensor_dimensions().expect("input0 to be a tensor type");
-		let output0_shape: &Vec<i64> = session.outputs[0].output_type.tensor_dimensions().expect("output0 to be a tensor type");
+		let input0_shape = session.inputs[0].input_type.tensor_shape().expect("input0 to be a tensor type");
+		let output0_shape = session.outputs[0].output_type.tensor_shape().expect("output0 to be a tensor type");
 
-		assert_eq!(input0_shape, &[1, 1, 28, 28]);
-		assert_eq!(output0_shape, &[1, 10]);
+		assert_eq!(&**input0_shape, &[1, 1, 28, 28]);
+		assert_eq!(&**output0_shape, &[1, 10]);
 
 		input0_shape
 	};
diff --git a/tests/squeezenet.rs b/tests/squeezenet.rs
index 3150715..7e90bc0 100644
--- a/tests/squeezenet.rs
+++ b/tests/squeezenet.rs
@@ -33,11 +33,11 @@ fn squeezenet_mushroom() -> ort::Result<()> {
 		assert_eq!(metadata.name()?, "main_graph");
 		assert_eq!(metadata.producer()?, "pytorch");
 
-		let input0_shape: &Vec<i64> = session.inputs[0].input_type.tensor_dimensions().expect("input0 to be a tensor type");
-		let output0_shape: &Vec<i64> = session.outputs[0].output_type.tensor_dimensions().expect("output0 to be a tensor type");
+		let input0_shape = session.inputs[0].input_type.tensor_shape().expect("input0 to be a tensor type");
+		let output0_shape = session.outputs[0].output_type.tensor_shape().expect("output0 to be a tensor type");
 
-		assert_eq!(input0_shape, &[1, 3, 224, 224]);
-		assert_eq!(output0_shape, &[1, 1000]);
+		assert_eq!(&**input0_shape, [1, 3, 224, 224]);
+		assert_eq!(&**output0_shape, [1, 1000]);
 
 		input0_shape
 	};
diff --git a/tests/upsample.rs b/tests/upsample.rs
index f81a9c1..b656163 100644
--- a/tests/upsample.rs
+++ b/tests/upsample.rs
@@ -63,8 +63,8 @@ fn upsample() -> ort::Result<()> {
 		assert_eq!(metadata.name()?, "tf2onnx");
 		assert_eq!(metadata.producer()?, "tf2onnx");
 
-		assert_eq!(session.inputs[0].input_type.tensor_dimensions().expect("input0 to be a tensor type"), &[-1, -1, -1, 3]);
-		assert_eq!(session.outputs[0].output_type.tensor_dimensions().expect("output0 to be a tensor type"), &[-1, -1, -1, 3]);
+		assert_eq!(&**session.inputs[0].input_type.tensor_shape().expect("input0 to be a tensor type"), [-1, -1, -1, 3]);
+		assert_eq!(&**session.outputs[0].output_type.tensor_shape().expect("output0 to be a tensor type"), [-1, -1, -1, 3]);
 	}
 
 	// Load image, converting to RGB format
@@ -101,8 +101,8 @@ fn upsample_with_ort_model() -> ort::Result<()> {
 		.commit_from_memory_directly(&session_data) // Zero-copy.
 		.expect("Could not read model from memory");
 
-	assert_eq!(session.inputs[0].input_type.tensor_dimensions().expect("input0 to be a tensor type"), &[-1, -1, -1, 3]);
-	assert_eq!(session.outputs[0].output_type.tensor_dimensions().expect("output0 to be a tensor type"), &[-1, -1, -1, 3]);
+	assert_eq!(&**session.inputs[0].input_type.tensor_shape().expect("input0 to be a tensor type"), [-1, -1, -1, 3]);
+	assert_eq!(&**session.outputs[0].output_type.tensor_shape().expect("output0 to be a tensor type"), [-1, -1, -1, 3]);
 
 	// Load image, converting to RGB format
 	let image_buffer = load_input_image(IMAGE_TO_LOAD);