* First four ships of the class, subsequent ships - 6×2×5 in (127 mm)/38, ** Antiaircraft armament as during the Battle of Midway (June 1942).

Atlanta class light cruisers were far more closely related to a very large destroyers than a light cruisers. They were designed as small, fast scout cruisers that could operate as destroyer flotilla leaders covering the destroyers against an enemy surface and air attack while the destroyers carry out a torpedo attack against enemy capital ships. But in common with many other cruisers, the Atlantas were sometimes used for different functions from those for which they were designed. As a result, two of them were sunk by Japanese cruisers and destroyers while formed up in a battle line of larger U.S. cruisers off Guadalcanal.

The ships had a main armament of relatively light guns, but in great numbers: sixteen of the 5 in (127 mm) dual-purpose guns in eight twin turrets, four of the new four-barrel 1.1 in (28 mm) autocannons were also fitted for close-in anti-aircraft defense. Unlike most U.S. cruisers of the period, they were equipped with torpedo tubes, depth charges, and sonars, reflecting their destroyer-like mission. Atlanta class light cruisers were most successful as anti-aircraft ships, so during World War II, their close-in anti-aircraft armament was drastically increased up to twenty-four (or even thirty-six) 1.57 in (40 mm) Bofors and sixteen .79 in (20 mm) Oerlikon autocannons at the cost of removing two wing 5 in (127 mm) turrets and all torpedo tubes.

One Atlanta class light cruiser (CL-51 Atlanta) took part in the Battle of Midway as a part of Task Force 16 Cruiser Group (Task Group 16.2).