A forged crankshaft includes a plurality of main journals, a plurality of crank pin journals rotatable in a circular path about axes defined by the main journals, and a plurality of crank webs. At least one crank web of the plurality of crank webs defines a middle crank web which is located between and connects two neighboring crank pin journals of the plurality of crank pin journals. The middle crank web has a stress relief forged therein, which is defined by first and second spaced sidewalls, an inner wall and a base wall. The forged-in stress relief has a predetermined depth, wrap angle, radius, and undercut which together define a shape of the forged-in stress relief. The shape of the forged-in stress relief is controlled to reduce stress in the crankshaft.