A standard drink in the US contains 14 grams of pure alcohol. Different beverages have different serving sizes and ABV, so the number of standard drinks varies. This reference shows common drinks and how many standard drink equivalents they contain.
One Standard Drink = 14g Pure Alcohol
Common Drinks: Standard Drink Equivalence
| Beverage | Serving Size | ABV | Std Drinks |
|---|
Calculate Standard Drinks
Formula: (serving_oz × 29.5735 × ABV/100) ÷ 14 = standard drinks
How to Use the Standard Drink Reference
This reference shows how many standard drinks are contained in common beverages. A standard drink contains exactly 14 grams (0.6 fl oz) of pure ethanol — the definition used by the US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
Why Standard Drinks Matter
Standard drink counts help people track alcohol consumption more accurately than counting individual glasses or cans. A "pint" of craft beer at 9% ABV contains about 2.5 standard drinks — very different from a "pint" of light beer at 3.5% which is about 1.4 standard drinks. The serving size and ABV both matter.
Dietary Guidelines Reference
The US Dietary Guidelines for Americans define moderate drinking as up to 1 standard drink per day for women and up to 2 standard drinks per day for men. These guidelines are about averages over time, not a daily target or safe maximum for driving.
This Tool Does Not Calculate BAC
Standard drink equivalence is different from blood alcohol concentration. BAC depends on body weight, sex assigned at birth, metabolism, whether you have eaten, how quickly you drank, and individual factors. There is no reliable way to calculate BAC without a breathalyzer. If you have had any alcohol, the safest choice is not to drive.
FAQ
Is this reference free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. This is an educational reference only.
Is my data safe when using this tool?
Yes. This reference runs entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server.
What is a standard drink?
A standard drink in the US contains 14 grams (0.6 fl oz) of pure alcohol. This is equivalent to: 12 fl oz of regular beer (5% ABV), 5 fl oz of wine (12% ABV), or 1.5 fl oz (one shot) of 80-proof distilled spirits (40% ABV).
Why do craft beers have more alcohol than standard drinks?
Craft beers often have higher ABV (6-12%) than standard domestic beer (4.2-5%). A 12 oz craft IPA at 7% ABV contains 1.4 standard drinks. A pint (16 oz) of 8% craft beer contains about 2.1 standard drinks.
Does standard drink equivalence tell you your BAC?
No. This tool only shows how many standard drink equivalents are in a beverage — not blood alcohol concentration (BAC). BAC depends on body weight, sex, metabolism, rate of consumption, food intake, and individual tolerance. Never drive after drinking.
What is the legal blood alcohol limit in the US?
The legal BAC limit for driving in all 50 US states is 0.08% for drivers 21 and over. For commercial drivers it is 0.04%. For drivers under 21, many states have zero tolerance laws (0.00% or 0.02%). Many countries have limits of 0.05% or lower.