Home > Alcoholic unit

1 Quantities

As a rough guide:

• A normal glass of wine or sherry, a single measure of spirits and a half pint of beer each contain about one unit, or 8 g (0.25 oz) of alcohol.

• A large glass of red or white wine or half a pint of cider contains about 12g (3/8oz), or one and a half units. However strong lager may contain as much as two units per half pint.

2 Formula

The number of units of alcohol in a drink can be determined by multiplying the volume of the drink in millilitres by its percentage ABV, and dividing by 1000. Thus a pint of beer at 4% ABV contains

3 Limits

Since 1995 the UK government has advised that regular consumption of between three and four units a day for men and between two and three units a day for women would not pose significant health risks, but that consistently drinking four or more units a day (men) or three or more units a day (women) is not advisable. The difference between genders is given due to the (typically) lower weight and water-to-body-mass-ratio of women.

4 See also

• standard drink