📖 Overview
Enter drink volume in ml and alcohol by volume percentage to calculate units and weekly limit comparison.
🧪 Example Scenarios
Use these default and higher-pressure example inputs to explore how sensitive this calculator is before using your real numbers.
| Input | Base Case | Higher Pressure Case |
|---|---|---|
| Volume (ml) | 0 | 0 |
| ABV (%) | 330 | 396 |
⚙️ How It Works
Calculates alcohol units using the standard UK formula: volume in ml × ABV% ÷ 1000. One unit = 10 ml of pure alcohol.
The Formula
Units = (ABV% × Volume ml) ÷ 1000
| ABV% | Alcohol by volume percentage shown on the label |
| Volume (ml) | Volume of the drink in millilitres |
| 1000 | Conversion factor: 1 unit = 10 ml pure alcohol = ABV% × volume ÷ 1000 |
💡This calculator is scenario-based. Better input quality leads to better decision quality.
⚠️The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend no more than 14 units per week, spread over at least 3 days. Drinking the full 14 units in one session is much more harmful than spreading them out.
Quick Reference
| Drink | Volume | ABV | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pint of lager (4%) | 568 ml | 4% | 2.3 |
| Glass of wine (13%) | 175 ml | 13% | 2.3 |
| Single spirit (40%) | 25 ml | 40% | 1.0 |
| Bottle of beer (5%) | 330 ml | 5% | 1.7 |
| Bottle of wine (13%) | 750 ml | 13% | 9.75 |
When To Use This
- Use this tool when you need a fast decision during active planning or execution.
- Use this before committing money, time, or tradeoffs that are hard to reverse.
- Use this to compare options using the same assumptions across scenarios.
Edge Cases To Watch
- Results can be misleading if key inputs are missing, stale, or unrealistic.
- Very small or very large values may amplify rounding effects and interpretation risk.
- If assumptions change mid-decision, recalculate before acting.
Practical Tips
💡 Strengths vary widely — a "strong" lager at 7% has 75% more alcohol per pint than a 4% one.
💡 Wine glass sizes vary greatly (125, 175, 250 ml). Always check the actual serve size.
💡 Hangovers aside, regular heavy drinking increases risk of liver disease, cancer, and heart problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the 14-unit limit the same worldwide?
No. Guidelines vary by country. The UK uses 14 units/week; the US uses "standard drinks" of 14g pure alcohol (~17.5 units/week for men).
❓ Does beer strength matter if I drink the same volume?
Yes — a 7% pint contains nearly double the alcohol of a 4% pint. ABV is critical.