Standard Drink Calculator
Calculate standard drink units for beer, wine, and spirits based on your country. Track alcohol consumption in US, UK, Australian, or Canadian standard drink sizes with breakdown.
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About This Calculator
A standard drink is a measure of pure alcohol that helps you track your alcohol consumption consistently, regardless of beverage type. This calculator estimates how many standard drinks you have consumed based on the types and amounts of alcoholic beverages you enter, using the standard drink definition for your selected country.
Standard drinks differ by country. In the US, one standard drink contains 14 g of pure alcohol (0.6 fl oz). In the UK and India, it is 8 g. Australia and New Zealand use 10 g, Canada uses 13.6 g, and Ireland uses 10 g. The formula uses the density of ethanol (0.789 g/ml) to convert beverage volume and ABV into grams of pure alcohol, then divides by the country-specific standard drink size.
Regional Notes: In the US, low-risk guidelines recommend no more than 1 standard drink per day for women and 2 for men. In the UK, the NHS recommends no more than 14 UK units per week spread over at least 3 days. Australia recommends no more than 2 standard drinks per day for women and 3 for men. Canada's guidelines recommend no more than 2 standard drinks per week, with no more than 2 on any single day. Always consult local health guidelines and your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many standard drinks are in a glass of wine?
A standard 148 ml (5 fl oz) glass of wine at 12% ABV contains approximately 1.4 US standard drinks (14 g of pure alcohol). In the UK (8 g per standard drink), the same glass equals about 2.5 UK units.
How many standard drinks can I safely have per day?
US dietary guidelines recommend no more than 1 standard drink per day for women and 2 per day for men. UK guidelines recommend no more than 14 UK units per week spread over 3 or more days. Australian guidelines suggest no more than 2 standard drinks per day for women and 3 for men.
How many calories are in a standard drink?
Each gram of pure alcohol contains approximately 7 calories. A US standard drink (14 g alcohol) contains about 98 calories from alcohol alone, not including sugars from mixers or carbohydrates from beer.
What is the difference between a US and UK standard drink?
A US standard drink contains 14 g of pure alcohol (0.6 fl oz), while a UK standard drink contains 8 g of pure alcohol (10 ml). This means a drink that counts as 1 US standard drink equals approximately 1.75 UK units. Australia uses 10 g, Canada uses 13.6 g, and Ireland uses 10 g.
Does beer type affect standard drink count?
Yes. Standard drink count depends on both volume and alcohol content. A 355 ml light beer (4.2% ABV) contains about 1 standard drink, while a 473 ml pint of IPA (6.5% ABV) equals roughly 1.7 US standard drinks. Higher ABV and larger servings increase the count.
What is a binge drinking threshold in standard drinks?
Binge drinking is defined as consuming 4 or more standard drinks within 2 hours for women and 5 or more for men in the US. In the UK, binge drinking is consuming more than 8 UK units in a single session for men and 6 for women.
How are standard drinks used in alcohol guidelines?
Standard drinks provide a consistent measure to track alcohol consumption across different beverage types. Health authorities worldwide use standard drink counts to set low-risk drinking guidelines, enabling individuals to track their intake regardless of whether they drink beer, wine, or spirits.