Alcohol Units Calculator
Convert a drink's volume and ABV into UK units, US standard drinks, and grams
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Quick summary
Enter a drink's volume in ml, its ABV percentage, and how many you're having to see the alcohol content in UK units, US standard drinks, and grams of pure alcohol. A 500 ml beer at 5% ABV is 2.5 UK units (about 1.4 US standard drinks). One UK unit is 10 ml of pure alcohol; a US standard drink is 14 grams. UK guidelines advise staying under 14 units a week.
Reviewed by Simple Calculators TeamLast reviewed
For information only — not medical advice. Results are estimates from published formulas and can't account for your health history. Talk to a doctor or other qualified clinician before making health decisions.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the inputs requested by the calculator.
- Choose the units or options that match your situation and review the assumptions.
- Run or update the calculation to see the result.
- Review the result, breakdown, and formulas shown on the page.
- Check the inputs, units, dates, and limitations before saving or sharing the result.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate alcohol units?
Multiply the volume in ml by the ABV percentage and divide by 1,000 for UK units. A 500 ml drink at 5% ABV is (500 × 5) ÷ 1,000 = 2.5 units. This calculator also converts to US standard drinks (14 g of alcohol each) and shows the grams of pure alcohol.
What is a unit of alcohol?
In the UK, one unit is 10 ml (about 8 g) of pure alcohol — the amount an average adult can process in roughly an hour. It lets you compare drinks of different sizes and strengths on a common scale. A US 'standard drink' is a bit larger at 14 g of pure alcohol.
How many units are in a glass of wine or a beer?
A large (250 ml) glass of 13% wine is about 3.3 units; a pint (568 ml) of 5% beer is about 2.8 units; a 25 ml shot of 40% spirits is 1 unit. Strength and size vary widely, so a single drink is often more than one unit — enter yours to see the exact figure.
What are the recommended alcohol limits?
UK guidelines advise both men and women to drink no more than 14 units a week, spread over several days with alcohol-free days. US guidelines suggest up to 1 standard drink a day for women and 2 for men. Less is better for health; these are upper limits, not targets.
Key terms
- UK Unit
- 10 ml (≈8 g) of pure alcohol; the UK measure of intake.
- US Standard Drink
- 14 g of pure alcohol; the US measure of intake.
- ABV
- Alcohol by volume — the percentage of a drink that is pure alcohol.
Methodology, sources & limitations
This page shows the formula, assumptions, and limitations used for this estimate. Rates, thresholds, and other time-sensitive inputs can change, so verify them against the relevant official source before relying on a result.
For our review approach and the primary sources we consult, see the methodology and source policy. If you spot an outdated figure or formula, please contact us with a correction.