Alcohol Units Calculator

Quickly calculate the amount of alcohol units a drink contains. Set the drink percentage and volume to find out.

Choose a percentage - slider or quick set buttons

Percentage:

Drink Percentage (%):

Choose a volume - slider or quick set buttons

Volume:

Drink Volume (ml):

Alcohol (ml):

Units:

Alcohol Units Formula

The amount of alcohol contained in a drink is calculated by multiplying the percentage of alcohol (using a percentage value expressed as a decimal - a value betwen 0 and 1) with the volume measure in millilitres. This is then divided by 10 to give the amount in units.

$Alcohol (in ml) = Percent (as decimal) \times Volume (in ml)$

$Alcohol Units = Alcohol (in ml) / 10 (ml per unit)$

Example

For a pint (568ml) of strong beer (5.5%) the amount of alcohol is 31.24 ml or 3.12 units.

$31.24 ml alcohol = 0.055 \times 568 ml$

$3.12 Units = 31.24 ml / 10 ml per unit$

Background

In today's world, where socializing often revolves around drinks it's easy for our alcohol consumption to creep up without us even realising it. With concerns over health and safety, understanding just how much alcohol we're consuming has become increasingly important.

In many countries, including the UK where the NHS (National Health Service) provides guidelines, alcohol is measured in units. One unit is equivalent to 10 milliliters or 8 grams of pure alcohol. The idea is to provide a standard measure that allows individuals to gauge how much alcohol they're consuming regardless of the type of beverage.

Many health organizations, including the NHS, provide guidelines on safe alcohol consumption. For instance, in the UK, it's recommended that both men and women do not regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week, spreading consumption evenly over several days. This advice is not just about avoiding short-term risks like intoxication; it's also aimed at reducing the risk of long-term health issues such as liver disease, certain cancers, and heart problems.