Units are how we measure the alcohol content of the drinks we consume.
One unit is 10 ml of pure alcohol – the amount of alcohol the average adult can process within an hour.
Units vary according to different drinks; the guide below can help calculate daily unit intake.
| Spirits | Measure 25ml |
Measure 35ml |
1 bottle 75cl |
1 bottle 1 litre |
| 38 - 40% e.g. Gin, Vodka, Rum, Whisky and Shots | 1 unit | 1.4 units | 28 units | 40 units |
| Liqueurs / Fortified wine | Measure 25ml |
1 bottle 75cl |
1 bottle 1 litre |
|
| 17 - 25% e.g. Port, Sherry, Malibu, and Tia Maria | 1 unit | 15 units | 21 units | |
| Wine / Champagne | Small glass 125mls |
Medium glass 175mls |
Large glass 250mls |
1 bottle 750 mls |
| 10% | 1.25 units | 1.75 units | 2.5 units | 7.5 units |
| 12% | 1.5 units | 2 units | 3 units | 9 units |
| 14% | 1.75 units | 2.5 units | 3.5 units | 10.5 units |
| Beer / Lager / Cider | 1 bottle 330mls |
1 can 440mls |
1 pint | 1 litre |
| 4% (Boddingtons, John Smiths, Carling) | 1.3 units | 1.8 units | 2.3 units | 4 units |
| 5% (Budweiser, Becks, Heineken, Stella) | 1.7 units | 2.2 units | 2.8 units | 5 units |
| 7.5% (White Lightening, Frosty Jack) | 2.5 units | 3.3 units | 4.2 units | 7.5 units |
| 9% (Tennents Super, Skol Super) | 3 units | 4 units | 5 units | 9 units |
| Alcopops | 1 bottle 275mls |
1 bottle 330mls |
1 bottle 75cl |
1 bottle 1 litre |
| 4 - 5% (Smirnoff Ice, WKD) | 1.4 units | 1.7 units | 3.5 units | 5 units |
Men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week and with this being spread out over 3-4 days rather than all in one go.
Knowing your units will help you stay in control of your drinking.
Maximum weekly alcohol guidance:
Limits are now the same for men and women at 14 units a week.
That equals:
- Six pints of beer (4% strength)
- Seven glasses of wine (11.5 strength, 175ml)
- Fourteen single shots (40% strength, 175ml)
