How Many Glasses of Wine Equal a Shot of Whiskey? A Guide to Alcohol Equivalency

November 24, 2025 •

3 min read

According to public health guidelines, one 5-ounce glass of wine is considered a single standard drink, the same as a 1.5-ounce shot of whiskey. This reveals that a single glass of wine is equivalent to a shot of whiskey when comparing pure alcohol content.

Quick Summary

A standard 5-ounce glass of wine contains roughly the same amount of pure alcohol as a standard 1.5-ounce shot of whiskey. This equivalency is based on standard drink sizes, not volume.

Key Points

Standard Drink Rule: One standard 5-ounce glass of 12% ABV wine contains the same amount of pure alcohol as a standard 1.5-ounce shot of 40% ABV whiskey.
ABV is Key: The equivalency is determined by the concentration of alcohol by volume (ABV) rather than the liquid volume.
Pour Size Varies: Actual serving sizes, particularly at bars, can differ from the standard pour, which can alter the true alcohol equivalency.
Fortified Wines Differ: Higher alcohol beverages like fortified wines or overproof spirits will have different equivalencies than standard drinks.
Impact Factors: Individual factors like body weight, tolerance, and rate of consumption significantly affect how alcohol is processed, regardless of the beverage type.
Process Difference: The high alcohol concentration in whiskey is a result of distillation, whereas wine's lower ABV comes from fermentation.

The Standard Drink: The Foundation of Comparison

To accurately answer how many glasses of wine equal a shot of whiskey, one must understand the concept of a standard drink. In the United States, a standard drink contains approximately 14 grams (0.6 fluid ounces) of pure ethanol alcohol. This baseline measurement allows for a fair comparison between beverages with different alcohol concentrations, such as beer, wine, and spirits. For example, a 12-ounce regular beer with 5% alcohol by volume (ABV), a 5-ounce glass of wine with 12% ABV, and a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof distilled spirits (40% ABV) are all considered one standard drink. This is why, despite the significant difference in volume, one shot of whiskey and one glass of wine are typically seen as equivalent.

The Math Behind Alcohol Equivalency

The reason a smaller volume of whiskey has the same alcohol content as a larger volume of wine is due to the difference in ABV. Spirits like whiskey are distilled, concentrating the alcohol, while wine is fermented, resulting in a lower concentration. A simple calculation helps illustrate this:

Whiskey: 1.5 oz x 40% ABV = 0.6 oz pure alcohol.
Wine: 5 oz x 12% ABV = 0.6 oz pure alcohol.

While this calculation provides a clear answer, it's a simplification. The ABV of wine can vary, with some red wines having a higher percentage (13.5-16% ABV) and some dessert or fortified wines having a much higher ABV (16-20%). Similarly, spirits can have varying proofs, with some being higher than the standard 80-proof (40% ABV). These variations can slightly alter the equivalency, but the standard drink model provides a reliable starting point for most scenarios.

Factors Influencing Real-World Equivalency

While the standard drink provides a helpful benchmark, several real-world factors can change the equivalency in practice:

Pour Size Variations: At bars and restaurants, pour sizes are not always exact. Bartenders may free-pour shots or serve wine in larger-than-standard glasses, altering the amount of alcohol consumed.
Beverage Type: As mentioned, different types of wine (e.g., fortified wine) and spirits (e.g., higher-proof whiskey) contain different ABVs. Always check the bottle's label for accurate alcohol content.
Mixing: When whiskey is used in a cocktail, the total alcohol content is spread across a larger volume and mixed with other ingredients. Drinking it neat or on the rocks delivers a more concentrated dose of alcohol.

Comparison Table: Wine vs. Whiskey

For a clear overview, here's a comparison of a standard glass of wine and a standard shot of whiskey:


Feature	Standard Glass of Wine	Standard Shot of Whiskey
Standard Serving Size (US)	5 fluid ounces	1.5 fluid ounces
Standard Alcohol by Volume (ABV)	12%	40% (80 proof)
Pure Alcohol Content	~0.6 fluid ounces	~0.6 fluid ounces
Method of Production	Fermentation of grapes	Distillation of fermented grains
Typical Consumption	Sipped slowly with meals	Poured as a shot or neat
Flavor Profile	Diverse, complex notes	Bold, intense, sometimes smoky

Why Understanding Equivalency is Crucial

Beyond simple curiosity, understanding alcohol equivalency is important for safe and responsible drinking. Knowing that a glass of wine and a shot of whiskey deliver a similar alcohol dose helps individuals manage their consumption, especially when switching between different types of drinks during a single outing. Factors like body weight, food consumption, gender, and individual metabolism also influence how alcohol affects a person, but knowing the baseline equivalency is the first step toward moderation. For comprehensive information on standard drink sizes, resources like the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) offer valuable insights on this topic. Making informed choices about alcohol intake is essential for personal health and safety.

Conclusion

In summary, based on the U.S. standard drink measurement, one 5-ounce glass of wine (at 12% ABV) is equivalent to one 1.5-ounce shot of whiskey (at 40% ABV). This equivalency is based on the pure alcohol content, not the volume of the liquid itself. While variations in ABV and pour sizes exist, the standard drink concept serves as a reliable guide for comparing the alcohol punch of different beverages. Being mindful of these standard measurements is a key part of practicing responsible and informed consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the United States, a standard drink contains approximately 0.6 fluid ounces or 14 grams of pure alcohol. This is the amount found in a 12-ounce beer (5% ABV), a 5-ounce glass of wine (12% ABV), or a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof spirits (40% ABV).

A standard 5-ounce pour contains the same total amount of alcohol regardless of wine color, provided the ABVs are equal. However, the actual ABV can differ between red and white wines, with red wines often averaging a slightly higher percentage.

In terms of pure alcohol content per standard serving, they are equivalent. However, a 1.5-ounce shot of whiskey is much more concentrated than a 5-ounce glass of wine, which is why it's consumed differently.

A standard 5-ounce glass of wine with a 12% ABV contains approximately 0.6 ounces of pure ethanol.

A standard 1.5-ounce shot of whiskey with a 40% ABV contains approximately 0.6 ounces of pure ethanol.

ABV stands for Alcohol by Volume, which is a standard measure indicating how much pure alcohol is contained in a given volume of an alcoholic beverage. It is typically shown as a percentage on the bottle label.

While a shot of whiskey is consumed faster and is more concentrated, the speed of intoxication depends on several factors, including the rate of consumption, body weight, and metabolism, not just the beverage type.