Alcohol Units Calculator
Add up the drinks you have in a typical week to see your total alcohol units, and how that compares with the UK low-risk guideline of 14 units.
This calculator is for information only and is not medical advice. If you are worried about your drinking, speak to your GP or call Drinkline (free and confidential) on 0300 123 1110.
Your Weekly Drinks
Pick a common drink or choose Custom and enter your own volume and strength. Price is optional and is only used for the spending estimate.
Your Weekly Total
Alcohol units per week
0.0Percentage of the 14 unit weekly guideline
Pure Alcohol
0 gper week
Calories from Alcohol
0kcal per week
Units per Year
0at this rate
| Equivalent in pints of 4% beer | 0 |
| Units remaining before the 14 unit guideline | 14.0 |
Calories are from the alcohol only (7 kcal per gram) and do not include sugar or mixers.
Units in Common Drinks
| Drink | Size | Strength | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pint of beer, lager or cider | 568 ml | 4% | 2.3 |
| Pint of premium lager | 568 ml | 5% | 2.8 |
| Bottle of beer | 330 ml | 5% | 1.7 |
| Can of beer | 440 ml | 4.5% | 2.0 |
| Small glass of wine | 125 ml | 12% | 1.5 |
| Standard glass of wine | 175 ml | 12.5% | 2.2 |
| Large glass of wine | 250 ml | 13% | 3.3 |
| Bottle of wine | 750 ml | 12.5% | 9.4 |
| Single spirit | 25 ml | 40% | 1.0 |
| Double spirit | 50 ml | 40% | 2.0 |
| Bottle of spirits | 700 ml | 40% | 28.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
In the UK, one unit is 10 millilitres (8 grams) of pure alcohol. It is the amount an average adult can process in about an hour, though this varies from person to person. Units make it easier to compare drinks of different sizes and strengths, because a large glass of strong wine contains far more alcohol than a small glass of a weaker one.
Multiply the volume of the drink in millilitres by its strength (ABV, or alcohol by volume, as a percentage) and divide by 1,000. For example, a pint of beer (568 ml) at 4% ABV is 568 x 4 / 1,000 = 2.3 units. A 175 ml glass of wine at 12.5% is 2.2 units.
The UK Chief Medical Officers advise that men and women should not regularly drink more than 14 units a week, spread over three or more days, with several alcohol-free days. Drinking less is better for your health, and there is no completely safe level. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, the safest approach is not to drink at all.
A pint of 4% beer or cider is about 2.3 units and a pint of 5% lager is about 2.8 units. A standard 175 ml glass of 12.5% wine is about 2.2 units, and a large 250 ml glass of 13% wine is about 3.3 units. A single 25 ml measure of 40% spirits is 1 unit. Pubs and bars in the UK now often serve larger measures than these, so it is worth checking the label.
It estimates the calories from the alcohol itself, using 7 calories per gram of pure alcohol (about 56 calories per unit). It does not include sugar, mixers or other ingredients, which can add a lot more. Beer, cider, sweet wine and cocktails are often much higher in total calories than the alcohol figure alone suggests.
No. A UK unit contains 8 grams of pure alcohol, while a US standard drink contains 14 grams, so one US standard drink is roughly 1.75 UK units. If you are following US guidance, enter your drinks in millilitres and ABV as normal and compare the result with the guideline that applies to you.
Cutting Down Tips
- Spread your drinking over three or more days rather than saving it up for one night.
- Plan several alcohol-free days each week.
- Choose smaller measures and lower-strength drinks (check the ABV on the label).
- Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or a soft drink.
- Home measures are often larger than pub measures, so measure your pours.