Alcohol Units Calculator
Work out the alcohol units in any drink from its volume and strength (ABV), then check a weekly total against the NHS 14-unit guideline. Units = ml × ABV ÷ 1,000.
Units in a drink
By volume and ABV. NHS 14-unit guide.
A guide only. The NHS advises no more than 14 units a week — see NHS — calculating alcohol units.
How to count alcohol units
A unit is a fixed measure of pure alcohol, so it lets you compare very different drinks fairly. The formula is simple: units = volume in ml × ABV% ÷ 1,000. One unit is 10 ml of pure alcohol, which the average adult processes in about an hour. Units rise with both size and strength, so a large glass of strong wine can hold three times the alcohol of a small glass of weak wine.
A 175 ml glass of 13% wine is 175 × 13 ÷ 1,000 = 2.3 units. A pint of 4% beer is about 2.3 units, and a 25 ml single spirit at 40% is exactly 1 unit. The NHS guideline is no more than 14 units a week.
Units in common drinks
| Drink | Units |
|---|---|
| Pint of 4% beer | ≈2.3 |
| Pint of 5% lager | ≈2.8 |
| 175 ml wine (13%) | ≈2.3 |
| 250 ml wine (13%) | ≈3.3 |
| Single 25 ml spirit (40%) | 1.0 |
Source: NHS — calculating alcohol units.
Looking after your health
Keeping within 14 units a week, spread over several days with drink-free days, keeps health risks low. If you're also tracking weight and activity, the calorie calculator can account for the calories alcohol adds, and the BMI calculator shows your weight category. Drink-free days are an easy way to cut both units and calories.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate alcohol units?
Multiply the drink's volume in millilitres by its ABV percentage, then divide by 1,000. For example, a 175 ml glass of 13% wine is 175 × 13 ÷ 1000 = 2.3 units.
How many units are in a pint of beer?
A pint (568 ml) of 4% beer is about 2.3 units; a pint of 5% lager is about 2.8 units. A standard 175 ml glass of 13% wine is around 2.3 units, and a 25 ml single spirit at 40% is 1 unit.
What is the NHS weekly alcohol limit?
The NHS advises drinking no more than 14 units a week on a regular basis, spread over three or more days, with several drink-free days. There is no completely safe level, so less is better.
Is 14 units a lot?
14 units is the upper guideline, equal to about six pints of average-strength beer or six medium glasses of wine across a week. The advice is to keep risks low by staying within it and spreading drinks across the week.
Do units depend on the strength of the drink?
Yes. Units rise with both volume and ABV, so a large glass of strong wine can contain far more units than a small glass of weaker wine. Checking the ABV on the label is the only reliable way to count.