Alcohol Units Chart
See the UK units in 19 common drinks, from a half pint to a bottle of spirits, and change a strength to match the label.
Free · runs in your browser · nothing is uploaded
The alcohol units chart is a free tool that runs in your browser and shows the UK unit count for 19 common drinks. It sorts them into six groups: Beer and lager, Cider, Wine, Spirits, Fortified wine and Other. Each row lists the drink, its size, its strength and its units, so you can see at a glance how strong a pint, glass or bottle is.
The chart uses typical strengths for each drink. If your can or bottle is stronger or weaker, you can change the strength in that row and the units update straight away. A Reset button returns every strength to its typical value. The chart is useful for comparing drinks side by side, or for checking a single drink against the label on the container.
How to use the Alcohol units chart
- Find the group your drink belongs to: Beer and lager, Cider, Wine, Spirits, Fortified wine or Other.
- Read the size in the row, such as 568 ml for a pint of beer.
- Read the UK units in the last column. This is the figure for the typical strength.
- Check the label on your drink for its strength (% ABV).
- Type that strength into the Strength (% ABV) box in the row. The units for that row update at once.
- Press Reset to put every strength back to its typical value.
Each row works on its own, so you can change one drink without affecting the others. To compare drinks, scan down a group and note the units column. Keep the size and strength in mind when you read the numbers, since a bigger glass or a stronger drink will always give a higher count.
The chart opens with typical strengths. Find the row closest to your drink, such as Pint of beer or Medium glass of wine. If the label shows a different strength, type it in that row’s Strength (% ABV) box. The units change at once and no other row is affected. Rows sit under Beer and lager, Cider, Wine, Spirits, Fortified wine and Other, so scroll to the group you need.
How many units are in a pint of beer?
A pint of 4% beer (568 ml) contains 2.27 units. A pint of 5.2% strong beer (568 ml) contains 2.95 units. The glass is the same size, so strength is what changes the count.
| Drink | Size | Strength | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half pint of beer | 284 ml | 4% | 1.14 |
| Pint of beer | 568 ml | 4% | 2.27 |
| Pint of strong beer | 568 ml | 5.2% | 2.95 |
How many units are in a glass of wine?
A 175 ml medium glass of 12% wine contains 2.1 units. A small 125 ml glass at 12% is 1.5 units, and a large 250 ml glass is 3 units. Glass size matters as much as strength.
A 125 ml glass of 11% prosecco is 1.38 units. Wine is often stronger than the typical 12%, so a 175 ml glass of 14% wine is 2.45 units rather than 2.1.
How many units are in a bottle of wine?
A standard 750 ml bottle at 12.5% contains 9.38 units on the chart. That is more than four medium glasses. A 750 ml bottle at 14% would be 10.5 units.
How many units are in a single measure of spirits?
A single 25 ml measure of spirits at 40% contains 1 unit. A 35 ml single is 1.4 units, and a 50 ml double is 2 units. A 70 cl bottle of spirits at 40% is 28 units. A 50 ml glass of 20% port or sherry is 1 unit.
How do I work out units from the percentage on the label?
Multiply the strength (% ABV) by the volume in millilitres, then divide by 1,000. The formula is units = strength (% ABV) × volume (ml) ÷ 1,000. For a 330 ml bottle of 5% beer, 5 × 330 = 1,650, and 1,650 ÷ 1,000 gives 1.65 units.
You can use the same formula for any drink, including ones not on the chart. The chart applies it to its typical values, and the Strength box applies it to the strength you enter.
How many units are in common drinks?
A pint of 4% beer is 2.3 units, a 175 ml glass of 12% wine is 2.1 units, a 25 ml single of 40% spirits is 1 unit and a 750 ml bottle of 12.5% wine is 9.4 units. The table below uses typical strengths and the NHS formula; the interactive chart above lets you change any strength.
| Drink | Size | Typical strength | UK units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half pint of beer | 284 ml | 4% | 1.14 |
| Pint of beer | 568 ml | 4% | 2.27 |
| Pint of strong beer | 568 ml | 5.2% | 2.95 |
| Bottle of beer | 330 ml | 5% | 1.65 |
| Can of beer | 440 ml | 4.5% | 1.98 |
| Large can of beer | 500 ml | 5% | 2.5 |
| Pint of cider | 568 ml | 4.5% | 2.56 |
| Bottle of cider | 500 ml | 5% | 2.5 |
| Small glass of wine | 125 ml | 12% | 1.5 |
| Medium glass of wine | 175 ml | 12% | 2.1 |
| Large glass of wine | 250 ml | 12% | 3 |
| Bottle of wine | 750 ml | 12.5% | 9.38 |
| Glass of prosecco | 125 ml | 11% | 1.38 |
| Single spirit (25 ml) | 25 ml | 40% | 1 |
| Single spirit (35 ml) | 35 ml | 40% | 1.4 |
| Double spirit (50 ml) | 50 ml | 40% | 2 |
| Bottle of spirits (70 cl) | 700 ml | 40% | 28 |
| Glass of port or sherry | 50 ml | 20% | 1 |
| Bottle of alcopop | 275 ml | 5% | 1.38 |
How this tool works and where the numbers come from
Units = strength (% ABV) x volume (ml) / 1,000, as the NHS defines it. One unit is 10 ml or 8 g of pure alcohol.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What does one unit of alcohol mean?
One unit is 10 ml or 8 g of pure alcohol. The unit is a measure of the alcohol itself, not of the drink, which is why the same unit count can come from very different glasses.
Does the chart tell me whether I have gone over the weekly guidance?
No. The chart does not judge any amount you drink. The NHS weekly guidance of 14 units is a reference you can compare your total against, but the chart only shows the units for each drink.
Why does my drink show different units from the chart?
The listed strengths are typical values, not exact ones. Check the label for the real strength, then enter it in the Strength box. A stronger wine or beer will give a higher count, even in the same glass.
Why is a bottle of wine 9.38 units and not 9.4?
The chart shows the exact result of 750 ml × 12.5% ÷ 1,000, which is 9.375 units, rounded to 9.38. Rounding to two decimal places keeps the figures consistent across the chart.
Do the strengths I type stay when I leave the page?
No. They are not saved. All rows return to their typical values when you reload the page or press Reset.
Can I change the size of a drink on the chart?
No. The sizes are common servings: a pint is 568 ml, a medium glass of wine 175 ml and a single spirit 25 ml. Only the strength can be edited. For any other size use the alcohol unit calculator on this site.
Related tools
- Alcohol unit calculator: use it to work out units for a drink that is not on the chart.
- Standard drink calculator: use it when you want to count drinks rather than units.
- Alcohol conversion calculator: use it to convert between different drink sizes or strengths.
- Drinks per week calculator: use it to total up the drinks you have in a typical week.
- Glasses of wine in a bottle: use it to see how many glasses a bottle gives at different pour sizes.
- Calories in alcohol: use it to look at the energy in the same drinks you are checking for units.