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Alcohol Units Calculator

Build a drink-by-drink list to see your total alcohol units, compare against guidelines, and estimate time to sober.

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What Is an Alcohol Unit?

An alcohol unit is a way to measure the actual amount of pure alcohol in a drink. Different countries define a "standard drink" differently:

The numbers on the label don't tell the full story. A "single glass of wine" can range from 1.5 to 3.5 units depending on the pour size and ABV.

The 14-Unit Guideline

The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend that both men and women drink no more than 14 units per week to keep health risks low. This is equivalent to roughly 6 pints of 4% beer or 6 medium glasses of 13% wine spread across the week.

The guideline isn't a "safe" level — the risk of conditions like liver disease, cancer, and heart disease increases with any amount of regular drinking. Fourteen units is the level below which the risk is considered low.

How to Calculate Units Yourself

The formula is straightforward:

Units = (Volume in ml × ABV%) ÷ 1,000

For example, a 175 ml glass of 13% wine:

(175 × 13) / 1000 = 2.275 units — about 2.3 units.

Or a pint (568 ml) of 5.2% strong lager:

(568 × 5.2) / 1000 = 2.95 units — about 3.0 units.

Knowing your units lets you track your intake accurately and make informed decisions about your relationship with alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is one unit of alcohol?
One UK alcohol unit equals 10ml (8g) of pure alcohol. One US standard drink contains 14g of pure alcohol. A 175ml glass of 12% wine is about 2.1 UK units or 1.5 US standard drinks.
How many units per week is safe?
UK guidelines recommend no more than 14 units per week, spread over 3+ days. US guidelines suggest up to 14 standard drinks per week for men and 7 for women. Recent research suggests no amount of alcohol is completely risk-free.
How do I calculate units myself?
Units = (volume in ml × ABV%) ÷ 1000. For example: 330ml beer at 5% = (330 × 5) ÷ 1000 = 1.65 units.

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Track your units automatically with Rebuild

Log drinks and see your weekly units in real time.

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