How Many Beers Are in a Standard Drink? A Guide to Alcohol Content

January 5, 2026 •

2 min read

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), one standard drink in the United States contains approximately 14 grams (0.6 fluid ounces) of pure alcohol. For regular beer, a standard drink is typically considered a 12-ounce serving at 5% alcohol by volume (ABV), but the number of standard drinks can change significantly depending on a beer's strength and serving size.

Quick Summary

The quantity of standard drinks in a beer is determined by its alcohol content (ABV) and volume. It's crucial to look beyond common serving sizes, especially with higher-ABV craft beers, which often contain more than one standard drink. Proper calculation is key to understanding consumption.

Key Points

US Standard: A standard drink in the US equals 0.6 fluid ounces (14 grams) of pure alcohol, equivalent to a 12-ounce, 5% ABV regular beer.
ABV Varies: The standard drink count for beer is not uniform; it depends on the alcohol by volume (ABV) and serving size.
Craft vs. Regular: High-ABV craft beers and specialty brews can contain two or more standard drinks in a single 12 or 16-ounce serving.
Easy Calculation: A simple formula is to multiply the volume in fluid ounces by the ABV percentage and divide by 60 for US standard drink equivalents.
Global Differences: Standard drink definitions differ significantly across countries; for example, Australia's standard contains 10g of alcohol, compared to the US 14g.
Beyond the Label: Don't assume one container equals one standard drink; a pint of 5% beer is 1.33 standard drinks, while a 12oz 10% beer is two standard drinks.

What Defines a Standard Drink?

In the United States, a standard drink is defined by its pure alcohol content, which is 14 grams or 0.6 fluid ounces of pure ethanol. This is equivalent to a 12-ounce serving of regular beer at 5% ABV, a 5-ounce glass of 12% ABV wine, or a 1.5-ounce shot of 40% ABV distilled spirits. It's important to recognize that while a 12-ounce, 5% ABV beer is a standard drink, many beers today, especially craft varieties, have different ABVs and may not fit this single standard.

The Impact of Alcohol by Volume (ABV)

Alcohol by Volume (ABV) is the percentage of alcohol in a drink by volume. It is the primary factor determining the number of standard drinks in a beer. A higher ABV means more alcohol, and therefore more standard drinks in the same volume. Simply assuming that one can or pint equals one standard drink is often incorrect, particularly with higher-ABV craft beers. Always check the ABV on the label.

Calculating Standard Drinks

You can easily calculate the number of US standard drinks in a beer using the formula: Standard Drinks = (Volume in fl oz * ABV%) / 0.6.

For example, a 16-ounce pint of 6% ABV beer contains:

16 fl oz * 6% = 96
96 / 60 = 1.6 standard drinks (using the simplified calculation where you divide by 60).

Beer Standard Drink Comparison Table

The following table shows how standard drink equivalents vary based on beer volume and ABV in the US:


Beer Volume	ABV %	Standard Drink Equivalent
12 fl oz can	4.2% (Light Beer)	~0.85 standard drinks
12 fl oz can	5% (Regular Beer)	1.0 standard drink
16 fl oz pint	5% (Regular Beer)	1.33 standard drinks
12 fl oz can	7% (Malt Liquor)	1.4 standard drinks
12 fl oz bottle	8% (Craft Beer)	1.6 standard drinks
16 fl oz pint	8% (Craft Beer)	2.13 standard drinks

International Differences in Standard Drink Definitions

It's important to note that the definition of a standard drink is not the same globally. For instance, a standard drink in Australia contains 10 grams of pure alcohol, while in the US it is 14 grams. This difference means that the same beer can count as a different number of standard drinks depending on the country. Always refer to local guidelines when consuming alcohol abroad.

Factors That Influence a Beer's ABV

Brewers control several factors that affect a beer's final ABV:

Yeast Strain: Different yeast strains have varying abilities to ferment sugars and tolerate alcohol.
Fermentation Time and Temperature: Longer fermentation and warmer temperatures generally lead to higher ABV.
Original Gravity (OG): A higher initial sugar concentration (OG) provides more material for yeast to convert into alcohol.

Conclusion

Understanding how many beers are in a standard drink is key for responsible consumption, given the variety of beer strengths and sizes available. A standard drink is based on pure alcohol content, not volume, making ABV and serving size critical factors. Calculating standard drinks allows for accurate tracking of alcohol intake. Remember that standard drink definitions differ internationally and many craft beers contain more than one standard drink. For health recommendations, resources like the NIAAA are valuable.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the United States, one standard drink of beer is defined as 12 ounces of beer with an alcohol content of 5% ABV.

Not necessarily. If the craft beer has a higher ABV than 5%, a 12-ounce serving will contain more than one standard drink. For example, a 12-ounce beer with 10% ABV contains two standard drinks.

To estimate US standard drinks, multiply the beverage's volume in fluid ounces by its ABV percentage, then divide the result by 60. For example, a 16oz (pint) of 6% ABV beer is (16 * 6) / 60 = 1.6 standard drinks.

The definition of a standard drink varies internationally because countries set their own guidelines based on different public health standards. For instance, the amount of pure alcohol considered a 'standard drink' is 10g in Australia and Ireland, but 14g in the US.

A standard US pint contains 16 ounces. If the beer has a 5% ABV, a pint is equivalent to 1.33 standard drinks. For a higher ABV beer, the number of standard drinks will be proportionally higher.

Several factors influence a beer's final ABV, including the type of yeast strain, the amount of fermentable sugar in the wort (Original Gravity), and the fermentation time and temperature.

Some light beers have an ABV close to 5%, but many are lower, such as 4.2% ABV. A 12-ounce light beer at 4.2% ABV would be slightly less than one standard drink (0.84), while a 14-ounce light beer at the same ABV would be closer to one.