What does the Alcohol Units Calculator do?

Calculate alcohol units in your drinks. Track against the NHS guideline of 14 units per week. All calculations are performed in your browser using official UK rates and thresholds.

Is this medical advice?

No. This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your GP or an appropriate healthcare professional for medical guidance.

Are the reference values from the NHS?

Where applicable, this calculator uses reference values and guidelines from the NHS and other UK health authorities. Individual needs may vary based on personal health circumstances.

Alcohol Units Calculator

Calculate alcohol units in your drinks. Track against the NHS guideline of 14 units per week.

Last updated: April 2026 · Source: NHS — Calculating alcohol units

Add Drinks

Pint of lager (4%)2.3 units

Pint of strong lager (5.2%)3.0 units

Small glass of wine (125ml, 12%)1.5 units

Medium glass of wine (175ml, 12%)2.1 units

Large glass of wine (250ml, 12%)3.0 units

Single spirit (25ml, 40%)1.0 units

Double spirit (50ml, 40%)2.0 units

Bottle of beer (330ml, 5%)1.6 units

Can of cider (440ml, 4.5%)2.0 units

Alcopop (275ml, 4%)1.1 units

Custom Drink

Volume (ml)

ABV (%)

0.0 units

Disclaimer

This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. All calculations are performed locally in your browser — no personal data is collected or sent to our servers. Rates and thresholds are sourced from HMRC and GOV.UK and are updated for the current tax year. Always verify results with HMRC or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

How It Works

Alcohol units are calculated with the formula: volume (ml) × ABV (%) ÷ 1,000. One unit equals 10 ml (8 g) of pure alcohol. A standard 175 ml glass of 12% wine is 2.1 units. A pint of 4% lager is 2.3 units. A 25 ml measure of 40% spirits is 1 unit.

The NHS advises that adults should not regularly drink more than 14 units per week, spread over 3 or more days. There is no safe level of alcohol consumption. Binge drinking is defined as consuming more than 6 units (women) or 8 units (men) in a single session.

This calculator also estimates the calories in each drink. Alcohol contains 7 kcal per gram, making it nearly as calorie-dense as fat. A pint of lager typically contains 180–230 kcal, and a large glass of wine around 230 kcal. Enter the drink type, volume and ABV to see units and calories.

Example: Friday evening — 2 pints of 5% lager + 2 glasses of 13% wine (175 ml)

Pint of 5% lager: 568 ml × 5 ÷ 1,000 = 2.8 units each
175 ml glass of 13% wine: 175 × 13 ÷ 1,000 = 2.3 units each
Total: (2 × 2.8) + (2 × 2.3) = 10.2 units
Estimated calories: ~910 kcal
Weekly allowance used in one session: 73% of 14 units

Source: NHS — Calculating alcohol units

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Alcohol Units Calculator do?: Calculate alcohol units in your drinks. Track against the NHS guideline of 14 units per week. All calculations are performed in your browser using official UK rates and thresholds.
Is this medical advice?: No. This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your GP or an appropriate healthcare professional for medical guidance.
Are the reference values from the NHS?: Where applicable, this calculator uses reference values and guidelines from the NHS and other UK health authorities. Individual needs may vary based on personal health circumstances.