Standard Drink Converter

About this calculator

A "standard drink" is a fixed unit used to compare alcohol content across different beverages regardless of container size — in the US it equals 14 grams (about 0.6 fl oz) of pure alcohol, which works out to roughly a 12 oz beer at 5% ABV, a 5 oz glass of wine at 12% ABV, or a 1.5 oz shot of 40% spirits. The conversion multiplies a drink's volume by its alcohol-by-volume percentage and the density of ethanol, then divides by the standard-drink unit.

Health guidelines, including the CDC's and NIAAA's low-risk drinking limits, are all expressed in standard drinks rather than ounces or milliliters, because a "one drink" rule of thumb breaks down fast once you compare a light beer to a double-strength craft IPA or a strong cocktail. Bartenders, public-health researchers and anyone tracking their own alcohol intake use this conversion to translate an actual pour — with its specific volume and ABV printed on the label — into a comparable count.

This calculator takes a beverage's volume and ABV and returns how many standard drinks it contains.