Count how many units of alcohol you drink in a typical week, and see how it compares with the UK low-risk guideline of 14 units.
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What is a unit?
One UK unit is 10 ml (8 g) of pure alcohol, roughly the amount an average adult can process in an hour. To work out units: volume in ml × ABV % ÷ 1,000.
| Drink | Units |
|---|---|
| Single spirit (25 ml, 40%) | 1 |
| Small glass of wine (125 ml, 12%) | 1.5 |
| Bottle of beer (330 ml, 5%) | 1.7 |
| Pint of beer (568 ml, 4%) | 2.3 |
| Medium glass of wine (175 ml, 13%) | 2.3 |
| Pint of strong lager (568 ml, 5.2%) | 3 |
| Large glass of wine (250 ml, 13%) | 3.3 |
| Bottle of wine (750 ml, 13.5%) | 10 |
The UK guideline
To keep health risks low, men and women are advised not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis, spread over 3 or more days, with several drink-free days.
Example
Four pints of 4% beer (9.1 units) and three medium glasses of wine (6.8 units) add up to 15.9 units, already over the weekly guideline.
If you’re worried about your drinking, talk to your GP or call Drinkline on 0300 123 1110.
Frequently asked questions
How many units are in a pint?
About 2.3 units in a pint of 4% beer, and about 3 in a pint of 5.2% lager.
How many units are in a bottle of wine?
About 10 units in a 750 ml bottle at 13.5%.
How many units a week is safe?
The UK guideline is no more than 14 units a week for men and women, spread over 3 or more days.
How long does a unit take to leave the body?
Roughly an hour per unit for an average adult, but this varies a lot. Nothing speeds it up.
Sources
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