Alcohol Units Calculator
Calculate alcohol units in beer, wine, and spirits using ABV and volume.
Compare weekly total against UK and WHO recommended limits of 14 units per week.
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Alcohol Units
An alcohol unit is a standardized measure used to track how much pure alcohol you consume, making it easy to compare drinks across different types and strengths.
The Formula:
Units = (Volume in mL × ABV%) / 1000
One unit = 10 mL (8g) of pure alcohol (UK standard)
Note: The US “standard drink” = 14g of pure alcohol = 1.75 UK units.
Worked Examples:
- Pint of 4% beer (568 mL): Units = (568 × 4) / 1000 = 2.3 units
- Small glass of wine 175 mL at 13%: Units = (175 × 13) / 1000 = 2.3 units
- Single shot of spirits 25 mL at 40%: Units = (25 × 40) / 1000 = 1.0 unit
- Large wine 250 mL at 14%: Units = (250 × 14) / 1000 = 3.5 units
UK Chief Medical Officers’ Low-Risk Guidelines:
- Men and women: no more than 14 units per week
- Spread over 3+ days (not all at once)
- At least 2 alcohol-free days per week
Common Drink Unit Reference:
| Drink | Typical Units |
|---|---|
| Pint of 5% beer | 2.8 units |
| Bottle of 13% wine (750 mL) | 9.75 units |
| 70 cL bottle of 40% spirits | 28 units |
| Alcopop 275 mL at 5% | 1.4 units |
Practical Tips:
- Tracking units helps far more than counting “drinks” — a large wine can be 3× a small one
- Your liver processes roughly 1 unit per hour regardless of food, coffee, or sleep
- High-strength craft beers (7–10% ABV) can deliver 4+ units per can