Different countries define a standard drink differently, from 8 g of alcohol in the UK to 14 g in the US and 20 g in Austria. Counting in standard drinks shows how much alcohol you actually drink, since glass sizes and strengths vary a lot.
How to use the Standard Drink Calculator
- Drink volume
- Alcohol by volume
- Number of drinks
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter the volume and strength of the drink and how many you had.
Standard drink sizes by country
| Country | Grams of alcohol |
|---|---|
| UK (unit) | 8 |
| Australia, New Zealand | 10 |
| Canada | 13.45 |
| USA | 14 |
| Japan | 19.75 (about 20) |
| Austria | 20 |
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Drink volume | Units: mL, L, fl oz |
| Alcohol by volume | In % |
| Number of drinks | A number |
What each result means
- Pure alcohol = [Drink volume]×[Alcohol by volume]÷100×0.789×[Number of drinks]
- US standard drinks (14 g) = [Pure alcohol]÷14
- UK units (8 g) = [Pure alcohol]÷8
- Australian standard drinks (10 g) = [Pure alcohol]÷10
- Japanese standard drinks (20 g) = [Pure alcohol]÷20
- Calories from alcohol = [Pure alcohol]×7
Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.
Formula
Alcohol (g) = volume (mL) × ABV ÷ 100 × 0.789
Standard drinks = alcohol (g) ÷ grams per standard drink
Worked example
Inputs — Drink volume: 355 mL; Alcohol by volume: 5 %; Number of drinks: 1.
Results — Pure alcohol = 14 g; US standard drinks (14 g) = 1; UK units (8 g) = 1.8; Australian standard drinks (10 g) = 1.4; Japanese standard drinks (20 g) = 0.7; Calories from alcohol = 98 kcal.
Key terms
- ABV
- Alcohol by volume.
- Standard drink
- A defined amount of pure alcohol used in guidelines.
Frequently asked questions
How much is one US standard drink?
14 g of alcohol: 12 oz of 5% beer, 5 oz of 12% wine or 1.5 oz of 40% spirits.
What are low-risk limits?
US: up to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 for women; UK: no more than 14 units a week spread over 3 or more days.
Is any amount of alcohol safe?
The WHO says no level is completely without risk; less is better.