How many beers count as one drink?

January 5, 2026 •

2 min read

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a standard drink in the U.S. contains 0.6 ounces (14 grams) of pure alcohol. The simple answer to how many beers count as one drink is one 12-ounce can or bottle of regular beer with approximately 5% alcohol by volume (ABV). However, this answer becomes more complex when considering different serving sizes and the rising alcohol content of many craft beers.

Quick Summary

In the U.S., a standard drink is 12 ounces of 5% ABV beer. This is just a guideline, as the actual amount can vary widely with different beer strengths and serving sizes. Understanding how to calculate standard drinks based on a beverage's alcohol by volume is key to monitoring your consumption.

Key Points

Standard U.S. Drink: One standard drink in the U.S. is 12 ounces of a 5% ABV beer.
ABV Varies: Many beers, especially craft varieties, have higher ABVs and contain more than one standard drink per 12-ounce serving.
Calculate with ABV: To be precise, multiply the volume (in ounces) by the ABV and divide by 0.6 to get the number of standard drinks.
International Differences: The definition of a standard drink varies significantly by country, so local guidelines should be consulted.
Not Just Beer: Other alcoholic beverages also have standard drink equivalents, such as a 5-ounce glass of 12% wine or a 1.5-ounce shot of 40% spirits.
Moderation is Key: Understanding standard drink sizes is vital for tracking your alcohol intake and adhering to moderate drinking guidelines.
Serving Size Matters: A larger glass or can automatically increases the number of standard drinks, even with a moderate ABV.

Understanding the Standard Drink

In the United States, public health organizations define a "standard drink" as containing 0.6 fluid ounces or 14 grams of pure ethanol. This provides a consistent measure for tracking alcohol intake. While a 12-ounce beer with 5% ABV is often considered one standard drink, varying serving sizes and ABVs require careful calculation.

The Critical Role of Alcohol by Volume (ABV)

ABV, or alcohol by volume, indicates the percentage of pure alcohol in a beverage. Higher ABV means more standard drinks in the same volume. For example, two 16-ounce pints of 7% ABV IPA contain over three and a half standard drinks.

To calculate standard drinks:

Multiply serving ounces by the ABV percentage.
Divide by 0.6 (ounces of alcohol in one standard drink).

Example: A 16-ounce can of 6% ABV beer contains $(16 * 0.06) / 0.6 = 1.6$ standard drinks.

Comparing Different Beer Types

Beer ABVs vary significantly. A light lager around 4.2% ABV is slightly less than one standard drink per 12 ounces, while a high-ABV Imperial Stout can be two or three standard drinks in the same volume. Both serving size and ABV are crucial for determining the standard drink count.

Beer vs. Other Alcoholic Beverages: A Comparison

The U.S. standard of 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol helps compare beer to other drinks.


Beverage Type	Standard Serving Size (U.S.)	Average ABV	Standard Drinks
Regular Beer	12 fl oz	5%	1
Malt Liquor	8–10 fl oz	7%	1
Table Wine	5 fl oz	12%	1
Distilled Spirits (80-proof)	1.5 fl oz	40%	1
Craft IPA	12 fl oz	7%	1.4
Imperial Stout	12 fl oz	10%	2

Conclusion

While a 12-ounce, 5% ABV regular beer is a common reference for one standard drink in the U.S., modern beers vary greatly in ABV. Always consider both the serving size and the ABV to accurately determine the number of standard drinks. This calculation helps in responsible drinking and adhering to health guidelines. International standards for a standard drink can also differ. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's Rethinking Drinking website provides more information.

Calculating Standard Drinks Accurately

Using the formula (ounces * ABV) / 0.6 provides the most accurate standard drink count, especially for craft beers with variable ABVs. Checking the label and accounting for glass size are essential for precise monitoring and avoiding unintended intoxication.

The Importance of Moderation

Understanding standard drink sizes supports moderate and responsible consumption. Moderate drinking is often defined as up to two drinks daily for men and one for women. Accurate measurement helps individuals stay within these guidelines, minimizing health risks associated with overconsumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a 16-ounce pint of 5% ABV beer is 1.3 standard drinks in the U.S. If the beer has a higher ABV, it will contain even more standard drinks.

A 12-ounce can of 7% ABV beer contains 1.4 standard drinks. The standard is based on 5% ABV, so a stronger beer has a higher standard drink count for the same volume.

Most light beers have a lower ABV (often around 4.2%), so a 12-ounce serving would be slightly less than one standard drink, but still very close to it.

Knowing the standard drink count helps you accurately track your alcohol consumption, which is crucial for staying within recommended health guidelines and drinking responsibly.

The alcohol by volume (ABV) is typically printed on the beer's can, bottle, or label. For draft beer, it is often listed on the menu or can be asked for.

No, the definition of a standard drink varies significantly between countries. For example, a U.S. standard drink (0.6 oz pure alcohol) is different from the Australian standard (10 g pure alcohol).

Yes. A 12-ounce regular beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, and a 1.5-ounce shot of distilled spirits all contain approximately the same amount of pure alcohol and count as one standard drink in the U.S..