:Standard drink#Definitions in various countries

The definition of what constitutes a standard drink varies very widely between countries,{{Cite journal|url=http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1465-3362.2012.00475.x/epdf|doi=10.1111/j.1465-3362.2012.00475.x|title=Lack of international consensus in low-risk drinking guidelines|year=2013|last1=Furtwaengler|first1=Nina A. F. F.|last2=De Visser|first2=Richard O.|journal=Drug and Alcohol Review|volume=32|issue=1|pages=11–18|pmid=22672631}} with what each country defines as the amount of pure alcohol in a standard drink ranging from 8 to 20 grams.

The sample questionnaire form for the World Health Organization's Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) uses {{convert|10|g|oz|abbr=on}}, and this definition has been adopted by more countries than any other amount.{{cite journal |title=Governmental standard drink definitions and low-risk alcohol consumption guidelines in 37 countries |journal = Addiction|volume = 111|issue = 7|pages = 1293–8|date=2016-04-13|doi = 10.1111/add.13341|pmid = 27073140|last1 = Kalinowski|first1 = A.|last2 = Humphreys|first2 = K.|doi-access = free}} Some countries choose to base the definition on mass of alcohol (in grams) while others base the unit on the volume (in ml or other volume units). For comparison, both measurements are shown here, as well as the number of standard drinks contained in {{convert|500|ml|USoz|1|abbr=off}} of 5% ABV beer (a typical large size of beer in Europe, slightly larger than a US pint of 473 mL). The terminology for the unit also varies, as shown in the Notes column.

It is possible to calculate the pure alcohol mass in a serving from the concentration, density of alcohol, and volume:

$$\backslash text\{volume\}\; \backslash times\; \backslash text\{alcohol\; by\; volume\}\; \backslash times\; \backslash text\{density\; of\; alcohol\}\; =\; \backslash text\{Pure\; alcohol\; mass\}$$

For example, a {{convert|355|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} glass of beer with an ABV of 5.5% contains 19.525 ml of pure alcohol, which has a density of 0.78945 g/mL (at 20 °C), and therefore a mass of {{convert|15.41|g|oz}}.

$$355\backslash ,\backslash mathrm\{mL\}\; \backslash times\; 0.055\; \backslash times\; 0.78945\backslash ,\backslash mathrm\{g\}/\backslash mathrm\{mL\}\; \backslash approx\; 15.41\backslash ,\backslash mathrm\{g\}$$

or

$$0.355\backslash ,\backslash mathrm\{L\}\; \backslash times\; 0.055\; \backslash times\; 789.45\backslash ,\backslash mathrm\{g\}/\backslash mathrm\{L\}\; \backslash approx\; 15.41\backslash ,\backslash mathrm\{g\}$$

When the drink size is in fluid ounces (which differ between the UK and the US), the following conversions can be used:

One should bear in mind that a pint in the UK is 20 imperial fluid ounces, whereas a pint in the US is 16 US fluid ounces, and that 1 imperial fl. oz. ≈ {{#expr: 28.4130625/29.5735295625 round 5}} US fl. oz.: this means that 1 imperial pint ≈ {{#expr: 28.4130625/29.5735295625*20/16 round 5}} US pints.

Calculating alcoholic content in countries that use units of alcohol is straightforward, as the volume multiplied by the Alcohol by volume (ABV) gives the alcohol content. In the UK, one unit of alcohol equals one percentage point per litre, of any alcoholic beverage.

$$\backslash text\{volume\; (in\; litres)\}\; \backslash times\; \backslash text\{alcohol\; by\; volume\; (ABV)\}\; =\; \backslash text\{alcohol\; content\; (units\; of\; alcohol)\}$$

The standard UK units of alcohol in a drink can be determined by multiplying the volume of the drink (expressed in litres) by its percentage ABV. For example, a standard {{convert|750|ml|USfloz}} bottle of wine at 12% ABV contains:

:$\backslash begin\{align\}$

0.75\mbox{ L} \times 12\% &= 9\mbox{ units}

\end{align}

One UK standard measure of spirits (25ml, 0.025 L) at 40% ABV contains:

:$\backslash begin\{align\}$

0.025\mbox{ L} \times 40\% &= 1\mbox{ unit}

\end{align}

One imperial pint (568ml, 0.568 L) of beer at 4% ABV contains:

:$\backslash begin\{align\}$

0.568\mbox{ L} \times 4\% &= 2.27\mbox{ units}

\end{align}

In the UK, both volume and ABV are usually given on bottles, drinks menus and so on, and so are easy to retrieve.

A standard drink is often different from a normal serving in the country in which it is served.{{Cite web |last1=Mongan |first1=Deirdre |last2=Long |first2=Jean |date=May 22, 2015 |title=Standard drink measures throughout Europe; peoples' understanding of standard drinks and their use in drinking guidelines, alcohol surveys and labelling |url=http://www.rarha.eu/Resources/Deliverables/Lists/Deliverables/Attachments/14/WP5%20Background%20paper%20Standard%20drink%20measures%20HRB.pdf |access-date=September 26, 2017 |website=Reducing Alcohol Related Harm |pages=8}} For example, in the United States, a standard drink is defined as {{convert|0.6|USfloz|ml}} of ethanol per serving, which is about 14 grams of alcohol.{{cite web |title=What's a Standard Drink Measurement? |url=https://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/how-much-too-much/whats-standard-drink |website=Rethinking Drinking |publisher=NIAAA |access-date=28 June 2024}}14 grams of alcohol is 0.6 US fluid ounces or ~18 mL. → Ethanol listed as 0.78945 g/mL @ 20°C (68°F), 0.6 US fl oz × 29.57 mL/US fl oz = 17.742 ml; 0.78945 g/mL × 17.742 mL = 14.006gHaynes, William M., ed. (2011). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (92nd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p. 3.246. ISBN 1-4398-5511-0. This corresponds to a {{convert|12|USoz|ml|adj=on}} can of 5% beer, a {{convert|5|USoz|ml|adj=on}} glass of 12% ABV (alcohol by volume) wine, or a {{convert|1.5|USoz|ml|adj=on}} so-called "shot" of spirit, assuming that beer is 5% ABV, wine is 12% ABV, and spirits is 40% ABV (80 proof). Most wine today is higher than 12% ABV (the average ABV in Napa Valley in 1971 was 12.5%{{Cite web |title=Alcohol: the Devil is in the Details {So why won't major American wine media run %s in reviews? |url=http://www.wineforall.com/blog/?p=404}}), hence will be more than a standard drink. Similarly, although 40% ABV is standard for spirits, the amount of spirit in a mixed drink varies widely.

• Half an imperial pint {{convert|1/2|imppt|ml|disp=out}} of beer with 3.5% ABV contains almost exactly one UK unit; however, most beers are stronger. In pubs in the United Kingdom, beers generally range from 3.5 to 5.5% ABV, and continental lagers start at around 4% ABV. An imperial pint {{convert|1|imppt|ml|disp=out}} of such lager (at 5.2% ABV) contains almost 3 units of alcoholThe volume of the drink in litres multiplied by its percentage strength in ABV give the number of units. In this case, {{nowrap|0.568 × 5.2 gives 2.95}}; i.e., almost 3 units. rather than the oft-quoted 2 units.
• Stronger beer (6–12%) may contain 2 UK units or more per imperial half pint.
• A half-litre (500 ml) of standard lager or ale (5%) contains 2.5 UK units.
• One litre (1000 ml) of typical Oktoberfest beer (5.5–6%) contains 5.5–6 UK units of alcohol.
• A beer bottle is typically between {{convert|333|and|355|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}}, approximately 1.7 UK units at 5%.
• {{convert|375|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} can of light beer (2.7% alcohol) = 0.8 Australian standard drinks
• {{convert|375|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} can of mid-strength beer (3.5% alcohol) = 1 Australian standard drink
• {{convert|375|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} can of full strength beer (4.8% alcohol) = 1.4 Australian standard drinks
• {{convert|12|USfloz|ml|abbr=on}} of 5% ABV beer = 1 US standard drink

File:Red Wine Glass.jpg

• A "medium" glass ({{convert|175|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} of 12% ABV wine contains around 2.1 units of alcohol. However, British pubs and restaurants often supply larger quantities (large glass ≈ {{convert|250|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}}), which contain 3 units. Red wines often have a higher alcohol content (on average 12.5%, sometimes up to 16%). Even though the sizes of wine glasses are defined in UK law, the terms large, medium, standard, etc. are not defined in law.
• A {{convert|750|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} bottle of 12% ABV wine contains 9 units; 16% ABV wine contains 12 units; a fortified wine such as port at 20% ABV contains 15 units.
• {{convert|100|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} glass of wine (13.5% alcohol) = 1 Australian standard drink
• {{convert|150|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} glass of wine (13.5% alcohol) = 1.5 Australian standard drinks
• One {{convert|5|USfloz|ml|abbr=on}} glass of 12% ABV table wine is one US standard drink.

• A small glass ({{convert|50|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}}) of sherry, fortified wine, or cream liqueur (≈20% ABV) contains about one unit.

Most spirits sold in the United Kingdom have 35%-40% ABV. In England, a single pub measure ({{convert|25|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}}) of a spirit contains one unit. However, a larger {{convert|35|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} measure is increasingly used (and in particular is standard in Northern Ireland{{Cite web|url=http://www.alcoholandyouni.com/alcohol-and-you-home/check-the-facts/what-is-a-unit-of-alcohol/|title=What is a unit of alcohol {{!}} Alcohol and You Northern Ireland|website=www.alcoholandyouni.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-24}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}), which contains 1.4 units of alcohol at 40% ABV. Sellers of spirits by the glass must state the capacity of their standard measure in ml.

In Australia, a {{convert|30|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} shot of spirits (40% ABV) is 0.95 standard drinks.

In the US, one shot of 80 proof liquor is {{convert|1.5|USfloz|ml|abbr=on}}, which is one US standard drink.

• {{convert|440|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} can of pre-mix spirits (approx. 5% alcohol) = 1.7 Australian standard drinks
• {{convert|440|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} can pre-mix spirits (approx. 7% alcohol) = 2.4 Australian standard drinks
• According to Alcohol and You Northern Ireland resource website, "Most alcopops contain 1.1–1.5 units per bottle. For example, a normal {{convert|275|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} bottle of WKD contains 1.1 units, whereas Bacardi Breezer and Smirnoff Ice both contain 1.5 units of alcohol."{{cite web | url=http://www.qfak.com/livelihood/food_drink/?id=b158893#.UXvAYaKG2So | title=Question:- "How much alcohol is there in WKD vodka blue?" | access-date=27 April 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112043845/http://www.qfak.com/livelihood/food_drink/?id=b158893#.UXvAYaKG2So | archive-date=12 January 2014 | url-status=dead }}

{{Main|Alcohol consumption recommendations}}

From 1992 to 1995, the UK government advised that men should drink no more than 21 units per week, and women no more than 14.{{cite web |url=http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/factsheets/health-fact-sample-2 |title=Health Effects of Alcohol |publisher=Drinkaware.co.uk |access-date=27 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421194737/http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/factsheets/health-fact-sample-2 |archive-date=21 April 2009}} (The difference between the sexes was due to the typically lower weight and water-to-body-mass ratio of women).{{cite web|title=Sex differences in alcohol metabolism|publisher=Women's Health Research Institute: Northwestern University|url=https://www.womenshealth.northwestern.edu/blog/sex-differences-alcohol-metabolism}} The Times claimed in October 2007 that these limits had been "plucked out of the air" and had no scientific basis.[https://web.archive.org/web/20080511190033/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article2697975.ece Drink limits ‘useless’], The Times, 20 October 2007

This was changed after a government study showed that many people were in effect "saving up" their units and using them at the end of the week,{{cite web |title=Sensible Drinking. The Report of an Inter-Departmental Working Group |url=http://www.ias.org.uk/uploads/pdf/Consumption%20docs/dh_4084702.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.ias.org.uk/uploads/pdf/Consumption%20docs/dh_4084702.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |website=www.ias.org.uk |publisher=Department of Health |access-date=23 March 2020 |date=December 1995}}{{cite web |title=Government's Alcohol Strategy.Third Report of Session 2012–13 |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmhealth/132/132.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmhealth/132/132.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live |publisher=House of Commons.Health Committee. The Stationery Office by Order of the House. |access-date=23 March 2020 |date=10 July 2012}} a form of binge drinking. Since 1995 the advice was that regular consumption of 3–4 units a day for men, or 2–3 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.{{cite web

| url = http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/sensible-drinking

| title = Sensible drinking

| year = 2013

| access-date = 27 May 2013

| publisher = NIdirect Government Services

}}

An international study{{cite journal |author=Kanis JA |title=Alcohol intake as a risk factor for fracture |journal=Osteoporosis International |volume=16 |issue=7 |pages=737–42 |date=July 2005 |pmid=15455194 |doi=10.1007/s00198-004-1734-y |name-list-style=vanc|author2=Johansson H |author3=Johnell O |display-authors=3 |last4=Oden |first4=Anders |last5=Laet |first5=Chris |last6=Eisman |first6=John A. |last7=Pols |first7=Huibert |last8=Tenenhouse |first8=Alan|s2cid=10303026 }} of about 6,000 men and 11,000 women for a total of 75,000 person-years found that people who reported that they drank more than a threshold value of 2 units of alcohol a day had a higher risk of fractures than non-drinkers. For example, those who drank over 3 units a day had nearly twice the risk of a hip fracture.

{{Main|Blood alcohol content}}

As a rough guide, it takes about one hour for the body to metabolise (break down) one UK unit of alcohol, 10 ml (8 grams). However, this will vary with body weight, sex, age, personal metabolic rate, recent food intake, the type and strength of the alcohol, and medications taken. Alcohol may be metabolised more slowly if liver function is impaired. For other countries, it may be easiest to convert to UK units. For example, in the United States one standard drink contains 14 grams ≈ 1.75 units of alcohol, and so a US standard drink takes the body about an hour and three-quarters to process. Blood alcohol content can more accurately be estimated by using Widmark's formula.{{cite web |last1=Ed Kuwatch |title=Fast Eddie's 8/10 Method of Hand Calculating Blood Alcohol Concentration: A Simple Method For Using Widmark's Formula |url=http://www.dui-law.com/810art.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031202155933/http://www.dui-law.com/810art.htm |archive-date=2003-12-02 }}

File:Example_UK_Wine_Label.jpg

Australia introduced standard drink labelling in the 1990s,{{cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=Sandra C. |last2=Gregory |first2=Parri |title=The impact of more visible standard drink labelling on youth alcohol consumption: Helping young people drink (ir)responsibly? |journal=Drug and Alcohol Review |date=May 2009 |volume=28 |issue=3 |pages=230–234 |doi=10.1111/j.1465-3362.2008.00020.x|pmid=21462396 }} and New Zealand followed with a labelling requirement starting in 2002.{{cite book |url=https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/code/proposals/Documents/P248%20and%20P252%20FAR.pdf|chapter=7.5 Standard drink labelling for alcoholic beverages produced in New Zealand|title=Final Assessment Report (Inquiry - S.26)|author=Australia New Zealand Food Authority|date=26 June 2002}} The labels were criticized for being too small to read. A focus group study found that most student drinkers used the labels to choose stronger drinks and identify the cheapest method of getting drunk, rather than to drink safely.

In the UK in March 2011, alcohol companies voluntarily pledged to the UK Department of Health to implement a health labelling scheme to provide more information about responsible drinking on alcohol labels and containers. The pledge stated:{{cite web|title=Alcohol Labelling pledge|url=https://responsibilitydeal.dh.gov.uk/pledges/pledge/?pl=1|website=Dept of Health (UK)|access-date=13 February 2015|archive-date=13 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213210941/https://responsibilitydeal.dh.gov.uk/pledges/pledge/?pl=1|url-status=dead}}

: "We will ensure that over 80% of products on shelf (by December 2013) will have labels with clear unit content, NHS guidelines and a warning about drinking when pregnant."

At the end of 2014, 101 companies had committed to the pledge labelling scheme.

There are five elements included within the overall labelling scheme, the first three being mandatory, and the last two optional:

1. Unit alcohol content per container (mandatory), and per serving (optional). Typical servings deliver 1–3 units of alcohol.{{Cite web |date=October 3, 2018 |title=The risks of drinking too much |url=https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/the-risks-of-drinking-too-much/ |website=nhs.uk}}
2. Chief Medical Officer's daily guidelines for lower-risk consumption
3. Pregnancy warning (in text or as a graphic)
4. Mention of "drinkaware.co.uk" (optional)
5. Responsibility statement (e.g., "please drink responsibly") (optional)

: Further detailed specifications about the labelling scheme are available from the "Alcohol labelling tool kit".{{cite web|title=UK Alcohol Health Labelling|url=http://www.portmangroup.org.uk/codes/alcohol-marketing/alcohol-labelling|website=Portman Group|access-date=13 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211183841/http://www.portmangroup.org.uk/codes/alcohol-marketing/alcohol-labelling|archive-date=11 February 2015|url-status=dead}}

Drinks companies had pledged to display the three mandatory items on 80% of drinks containers on shelves in the UK off-trade by the end of December 2013. A report published in November 2014, confirmed that UK drinks producers had delivered on that pledge with a 79.3% compliance with the pledge elements as measured by products on shelf. Compared with labels from 2008 on a like-for-like basis, information on Unit alcohol content had increased by 46%; 91% of products displayed alcohol and pregnancy warnings (18% in 2008); and 75% showed the Chief Medical Officers' lower risk daily guidelines (6% in 2008).{{cite web|title=Drinks companies achieve voluntary alcohol labelling target|url=http://portmangroup.org.uk/media/news-details/2014/11/06/drinks-companies-achieve-voluntary-alcohol-labelling-target|website=Portman Group|access-date=13 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213184249/http://portmangroup.org.uk/media/news-details/2014/11/06/drinks-companies-achieve-voluntary-alcohol-labelling-target|archive-date=13 February 2015|url-status=dead}}

Studies published in 2021 in the UK showed that the label could be further enhanced by including pictures of units and a statement of the drinking guidelines - this would help people understand the recommended limits better.{{Cite journal |date=2021-06-23 |title=Drinks labels with pictures and guidelines could improve public understanding of Government recommendations |url=https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/drinks-labels-pictures-guidelines-improve-understanding-government-recommendations/ |journal=NIHR Evidence |type=Plain English summary |language=en |doi=10.3310/alert_46590|s2cid=242903619 }}{{Cite journal |last1=Gold |first1=Natalie |last2=Egan |first2=Mark |last3=Londakova |first3=Kristina |last4=Mottershaw |first4=Abigail |last5=Harper |first5=Hugo |last6=Burton |first6=Robyn |last7=Henn |first7=Clive |last8=Smolar |first8=Maria |last9=Walmsley |first9=Matthew |last10=Arambepola |first10=Rohan |last11=Watson |first11=Robin |date=19 January 2021 |title=Effect of alcohol label designs with different pictorial representations of alcohol content and health warnings on knowledge and understanding of low-risk drinking guidelines: a randomized controlled trial |journal=Addiction |language=en |volume=116 |issue=6 |pages=1443–1459 |doi=10.1111/add.15327 |issn=0965-2140 |pmc=8248341 |pmid=33169443}}

{{portal|Liquor|Drink}}

• Alcoholic spirits measure

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.cleavebooks.co.uk/scol/ccalcoh1.htm Online converter between different countries' standard drinks and units]
• [http://www.drinkaware.co.uk Drinkaware]
• [http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/Alcoholhome.aspx NHS Choices: Drinking and alcohol]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150221102901/http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Alcohol-unit-calculator.aspx NHS Choices: Alcohol unit calculator] (archived 21 February 2015)
• [http://www.abbeycarefoundation.com/alcohol-demotivator/ Online alcohol demotivator calculator]

{{Alcohol and health}}

{{Alcoholic beverages}}

Category:Units of volume

Category:Units of measurement

Category:Alcohol measurement