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Open toolAlcohol resources · Calculator
Alcohol units &
standard drinks calculator
Understand the alcohol content of your drinks. Enter the size, strength and number of servings to calculate a weekly or occasion total.
No account or email required. Your entries stay in this browser tab.
Quick Summary
- Add drink size, alcohol by volume (ABV) and number of servings. Use the actual label and pour size where possible.
- Switch between UK units, US standard drinks and Australian standard drinks. Different definitions give different totals.
- This estimates alcohol content only. It cannot tell you whether it is safe to drive or diagnose an alcohol problem.
THE BALANCE · Alcohol content calculation
Your calculation
What is in
your drinks?
Add a separate row whenever the drink size or strength changes. For a weekly total, enter the number of each serving across the whole week.
ABV is the alcohol percentage shown on the label. For example, enter 12 for a drink labeled 12% ABV.
Drink
Complete every drink with a valid size, strength from 0 to 100% ABV, and number from 0 to 1,000. Remove any row you do not need.
If you may be physically dependent on alcohol, seek medical advice before stopping or making a large reduction. You can read about alcohol detox and medical support.
Understanding the result
One amount.
Different standards.
A serving is the amount poured into your glass or container. A unit or standard drink describes the pure alcohol within that serving. One serving can contain several units or standard drinks.
| Standard | Pure alcohol | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 10 ml per unit (approximately 8 g) | Pure alcohol ml ÷ 10 |
| United States | 14 g per standard drink | Pure alcohol grams ÷ 14 |
| Australia | 10 g per standard drink | Pure alcohol grams ÷ 10 |
The number changes when you select another standard; the amount of alcohol does not. Country definitions are measures of quantity, not individual recommendations.
For a broader reflection on your drinking pattern, explore the alcohol self-assessment. For individual care information, read about private alcohol treatment.
Method & worked example
How the
calculation works.
The calculator uses the volume and strength entered for each drink, multiplies by the number of servings, and adds every row.
UK units = size in ml × ABV (%) × number of servings ÷ 1,000
Two glasses of wine
For two 175 ml glasses at 12% ABV: 175 × 12 × 2 ÷ 1,000 = 4.2 UK units. The same drinks contain approximately 33.1 g of pure alcohol, equivalent to 2.4 US or 3.3 Australian standard drinks.
For the gram-based standards, pure alcohol volume is multiplied by 0.789 g/ml, an approximate ethanol density. US fluid ounces are converted using 1 US fl oz = 29.5735295625 ml. The tool rounds only the displayed totals.
What affects accuracy?
Unmeasured pours, an unknown ABV or an incomplete record change the estimate. The calculator assumes the values entered describe the amount consumed. It does not account for absorption, body size, medicines or alcohol metabolism.
Questions & answers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an alcohol unit and a standard drink?
Both describe an amount of pure alcohol, but the definitions differ by country. A UK unit is 10 ml of pure alcohol, approximately 8 g. A US standard drink contains 14 g, and an Australian standard drink contains 10 g. This calculator labels the selected standard and shows the equivalents.
How many units are in a glass of wine?
It depends on the glass size and alcohol strength. A 175 ml glass of wine at 12% ABV contains 2.1 UK units. Two such glasses contain 4.2 UK units. Check the bottle label and the actual amount poured for your own calculation.
How do I calculate a weekly total?
Choose one week as the period. Add a row for each different drink size and strength, then enter the total number of those servings consumed during that week. The calculator adds every row. It does not infer any drinking from days you have not entered.
Can I use this for cocktails or drinks with several ingredients?
If you know the finished drink’s volume and ABV, enter those values. Otherwise add each alcoholic ingredient separately using its own size, strength and quantity. Do not also enter the finished cocktail, because that would count the alcohol twice.
Does the result tell me when I can drive or whether my drinking is safe?
No. This tool calculates alcohol content only. It does not estimate blood alcohol concentration, intoxication, time to sobriety or an amount that is safe for an individual. A low total does not establish that driving is safe.
What if I am worried about dependence or withdrawal?
If you may be physically dependent on alcohol, seek medical advice before stopping or making a large reduction. Withdrawal can require supervised treatment. If there is immediate danger or severe illness, seek urgent medical help.
Are my entries saved or shared?
Your entries are held in memory in this browser tab. They are not sent to THE BALANCE, stored in the page URL or included in marketing analytics. Reset the calculator or close the page to clear the current tool state. A file you choose to download or print remains under your control.
Sources & review
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