How many ml are in a pint of vodka?

November 14, 2025 •

3 min read

The term 'pint' means different things depending on where you are in the world, with a US pint containing approximately 473 ml and a UK imperial pint holding 568 ml. This disparity is crucial when answering how many ml are in a pint of vodka, especially given the liquor industry's own definition.

Quick Summary

A standard US liquid pint is 473 ml, while an imperial pint is 568 ml. A commercially labeled “pint” of vodka in the US is often a 375 ml bottle, causing confusion.

Key Points

US Liquid Pint: A true US liquid pint contains approximately 473 ml, as it is equivalent to 16 US fluid ounces.
UK Imperial Pint: An imperial pint, used in the UK and Ireland, is larger and holds approximately 568 ml.
Liquor Industry 'Pint': A 'pint' of vodka, or other spirits, in the US is typically sold in a 375 ml bottle, which is not a true pint.
Shot Count: A standard 375 ml 'pint' bottle of vodka yields about 8 shots, assuming a standard 1.5 oz (44 ml) pour.
Always Check the Label: To avoid confusion, always rely on the milliliters (ml) volume clearly printed on the vodka bottle's label.
Historical Context: The 375 ml 'pint' for liquor arose from metrication in the US, as a convenient half-size to the standard 750 ml 'fifth' bottle.
International Variation: Bottle sizes and terminology for liquor differ significantly by region, as evidenced by the 750 ml standard in the US versus the 700 ml standard in the EU.

The Three Definitions of a 'Pint'

Confusion surrounding the size of a pint often arises because the term can refer to three different volumes. There is the standard US liquid pint, the imperial pint used in the UK and Ireland, and the colloquial 'pint' used in the liquor industry. For a pint of vodka, the context of where it's being purchased or discussed is vital to determine the true volume in milliliters.

The Official US Liquid Pint (473 ml)

The US liquid pint is a standard unit of measurement equal to 16 US fluid ounces. When converted to the metric system, this equals exactly 473.176473 ml, which is commonly rounded to 473 ml. This measure is used for things like milk cartons or ice cream, and is the official legal definition within the United States. Therefore, a true US liquid pint of vodka would contain 473 ml.

The Imperial Pint (568 ml)

Used primarily in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries, the imperial pint is a larger unit of volume than its US counterpart. An imperial pint is comprised of 20 imperial fluid ounces, converting to 568.26125 ml. This is the volume served in pubs across the UK when you order a pint of beer. It's rare to encounter vodka sold in a bottle of this exact size, but it's important to be aware of the difference if you are referencing measurements internationally.

The Liquor Industry's 'Pint' (375 ml)

Perhaps the most confusing definition of a pint is the one used by the liquor industry. Following the US conversion to metric packaging in the 1980s, spirits were no longer sold in quarts and fifths (one-fifth of a US gallon). To maintain historical reference and simplify bottling, the term 'pint' was repurposed for a smaller metric bottle size. A commercially labeled liquor 'pint' bottle, including for vodka, contains 375 ml, which is half the volume of a standard 750 ml bottle, also known as a 'fifth'. This size is sometimes called a 'mickey' in parts of Canada. This 375 ml bottle is significantly smaller than both the US liquid pint (473 ml) and the imperial pint (568 ml), leading to widespread misinterpretation.

Comparison of Different Pint Measures

To clarify the variations, the table below provides a side-by-side comparison of the different definitions of a 'pint' and their metric equivalents.


Measurement System	Fluid Ounces	Milliliters (ml)	Context of Use
US Liquid Pint	16 oz	473 ml	Standard US measurement, e.g., milk and ice cream.
UK Imperial Pint	20 fl oz	568 ml	Standard UK measurement, e.g., draft beer.
US Liquor 'Pint'	12.7 oz	375 ml	Common commercial bottle size for spirits in the US.

Shot Counts and Other Common Vodka Bottle Sizes

Knowing how many shots are in a bottle is often more practical for consumers and bartenders. A standard US shot is 1.5 fluid ounces, or roughly 44 ml. The shot count will vary depending on the bottle size.

Standard US Vodka Bottle Sizes (Metric)

Miniature (50 ml): One 1.5 oz shot.
Half-Pint (200 ml): Approximately 4 shots.
Pint (375 ml): Approximately 8 shots.
Fifth (750 ml): Approximately 16 shots.
Handle (1.75 L): Approximately 39 shots.

Tips for Navigating Bottle Sizes

When purchasing vodka, always check the label for the volume in milliliters (ml) rather than relying on the historical name 'pint.' This ensures you know exactly how much alcohol you are buying. Bartenders and party planners should use a jigger to measure portions accurately and ensure consistent drinks, rather than free-pouring. For more information on volumetric units, visit the Wikipedia page on the pint. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pint].

Conclusion

The question of how many ml are in a pint of vodka does not have a single, straightforward answer due to regional and industry-specific differences in the definition of a pint. The most important distinction to remember is that a US liquid pint is 473 ml and a UK imperial pint is 568 ml, but a commercially sold 'pint' of vodka in the US contains only 375 ml. By checking the label for the metric volume, consumers can avoid confusion and accurately measure their liquor for mixing drinks or assessing quantity. Understanding these nuances is key for any home bartender or party host planning a well-stocked bar.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the US, liquor bottle sizes were standardized to the metric system in the 1980s. A 750 ml bottle replaced the historical 'fifth' of a gallon, and the 375 ml bottle was adopted as the half-size, retaining the traditional name 'pint' for market familiarity.

Assuming a standard 1.5 fluid ounce (approximately 44 ml) shot size, a 375 ml 'pint' bottle of vodka will contain about 8.5 shots.

A US liquid pint is 473 ml, while a UK imperial pint is 568 ml. The imperial pint is about 20% larger than the US pint.

No, a 750 ml bottle is not a pint. It is the standard size for spirits in the US, often called a 'fifth.' A true US pint is 473 ml, while a liquor 'pint' bottle is 375 ml.

A commercially labeled 'half-pint' of vodka in the US is a 200 ml bottle. This would contain approximately 4 standard shots.

To know the exact volume, always check the label. The volume in milliliters (ml) is required by law to be printed on the bottle, providing an accurate measurement regardless of what the colloquial name might be.

The largest standard size is the 1.75 liter bottle, also known as a 'handle.' It is the most cost-effective per ounce and is ideal for large gatherings.