Alcohol Units Calculator
Pick your drinks and how many you have in a week. The page adds up the units and compares them with the 14 unit guideline.
This is an estimate for general information and is not medical advice. The advice here is the UK Chief Medical Officers’ low-risk guideline. If you are worried about your drinking, your GP can help in confidence.
Worked examples
Pint of strong beer
568 ml at 5.2% ABV
2.95 units
The NHS worked example.
Four glasses of wine
4 x 175 ml at 12% ABV
8.4 units
2.1 units each.
About Alcohol Units Calculator
In the UK, a unit of alcohol is 10 millilitres, or 8 grams, of pure alcohol. The NHS formula is strength (ABV) multiplied by volume in millilitres, divided by 1,000. A pint of 5.2% beer is therefore 2.95 units, and a standard 175 ml glass of 12% wine is 2.1 units. This calculator does the sum for any drink and adds up your week.
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 some days without alcohol. Pick drinks from the presets or type your own size and strength, then enter how many you have in a week. The page also shows the calories in the alcohol itself, at about 55 calories a unit. This is an estimate and not medical advice.
How to use Alcohol Units Calculator
- Pick a drink from the list, or type its size in millilitres and strength as ABV.
- Enter how many of that drink you have in a typical week.
- Add up to five different drinks.
- Read your weekly units and how they compare with 14.
Common uses
- Checking a typical week against the 14 unit guideline
- Working out units in a bottle of wine
- Comparing the units in different pours
- Seeing the calories that come from alcohol
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate alcohol units?
Multiply the ABV by the volume in millilitres and divide by 1,000. For a 125 ml glass of 12% wine that is 12 x 125 / 1,000 = 1.5 units. This is the formula published by the NHS.
What is the weekly guideline?
The UK Chief Medical Officers advise men and women not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis. It is best to spread this over three or more days and to have several days with no alcohol.
How many units are in a bottle of wine?
A 750 ml bottle of 12% wine is 9 units, and a 13% bottle is 9.75. Wine often has a higher ABV than people expect, so check the label.
Does the guideline apply if I am pregnant?
No. If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, the UK advice is not to drink alcohol at all. Talk to your midwife or GP if you have concerns.
Is this medical advice?
No. It is an estimate and not medical advice. If you are worried about how much you drink, your GP can help in confidence.