Standard Drink Size

Many people are surprised to learn what counts as one standard drink. The amount of liquid in your glass, can, or bottle does not necessarily match up to how much alcohol is actually in your drink. Different types of beer, wine, or liquor can have very different amounts of alcohol content, so it is important to understand what a standard drink is. Counting standard drinks, instead of counting glasses or containers, will help you estimate Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) more accurately.

What is a standard drink?

In the United States, a standard drink is any drink that contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol. That's 0.6 fluid ounces or 18 mL.

Graphic depicting one standard drink = one 12oz beer, one 5 oz wine, one mixed drink made with one 1.5 oz shot, or one 1.5 oz shot of 80 proof liquor.

One standard drink is 12 fluid ounces (355 mL) for most domestic beers. For wine, it's 5 fluid ounces (148 mL). For distilled spirits like whiskey, a standard drink is 1.5 fluid ounces (44 mL) of 80 proof liquor or a 1.5 fluid ounce (44 mL) shot in a mixed drink.

Next: Size Matters