Choose your drinks, change the volume or strength if you need to, and see how many UK units they contain and how that compares with the 14-unit weekly guideline.
Results are estimates for planning. Check the figures before you make a financial or health decision.
How the Alcohol units calculator works
One UK unit is 10 ml of pure alcohol. The calculator uses:
units = volume in ml × ABV% ÷ 1000
For example, a drink’s volume multiplied by its strength gives the units for one drink, and then by the number of drinks. You can enter up to four lines. Each has a list of common UK servings (a 568 ml pint, 125, 175 and 250 ml glasses of wine, a 25 ml spirit measure and bottle sizes) that fill in a typical volume and strength, and you can edit both.
The total is multiplied by the number of days a week you drink this much to show a weekly figure. That is compared with the UK Chief Medical Officers’ low-risk guideline of 14 units a week, spread over 3 or more days. Calories are for the alcohol only, at 7 kcal per gram. The tool does not estimate blood alcohol or whether you can drive.
Worked example
Using the default values in the calculator above:
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Days a week you drink this much | 2 days |
| Drink 1 | Pint of beer or lager, 4% |
| Number of drinks | 2 |
| Volume per drink | 568 ml |
| Strength (ABV) | 4 % |
| Drink 2 (leave number at 0 if not used) | Wine, standard glass 175 ml, 12% |
| Number of drinks | 1 |
| Volume per drink | 175 ml |
| Strength (ABV) | 12 % |
| Drink 3 (leave number at 0 if not used) | Custom drink |
| Number of drinks | 0 |
| Volume per drink | 250 ml |
| Strength (ABV) | 5 % |
| Drink 4 (leave number at 0 if not used) | Custom drink |
| Number of drinks | 0 |
| Volume per drink | 250 ml |
| Strength (ABV) | 5 % |
Alcohol units in this session: 6.6 units
| Drink 1: 2 × 568 ml at 4% | 4.5 units |
|---|---|
| Drink 2: 1 × 175 ml at 12% | 2.1 units |
| Total volume | 1,311 ml |
| Pure alcohol | 66 ml (52 g) |
| Calories from the alcohol alone | 367 kcal |
| Units per week, at 2 days a week | 13.3 |
Tips and common mistakes
Check the strength on the label, because ABV varies a lot between beers and wines, and a large glass of wine can hold three units. Home pours and pub measures are often bigger than the standard sizes. The guideline is a limit, not a target, and spreading drinks over several days with some alcohol-free days is advised. Mixers, sugar and food add more calories than the figure shown. Check the NHS for the latest advice. If you are worried about your drinking, speak to a GP. This is general information, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
How many units are in a pint of beer?
It depends on the strength. A 568 ml pint at 4% ABV is about 2.3 units, and a stronger 5% pint is about 2.8 units.
How many units a week is it safe to drink?
The UK Chief Medical Officers advise no more than 14 units a week, spread over 3 or more days. Drinking less is lower risk, so check the NHS for the latest advice.
Can this tell me if I can drive?
No. It does not estimate blood alcohol, which depends on many factors. The safest advice is not to drink if you are driving.
Guides that help
- Alcohol units explained: how to count units in your drinks
- Calories and TDEE: how many calories do you need?