How much alcohol is in a standard drink aus?

January 5, 2026 •

2 min read

A single standard drink in Australia is defined as containing 10 grams of pure alcohol, a measurement that can surprise many due to the vast differences in serving sizes for beer, wine, and spirits. Understanding this figure is key to monitoring your intake effectively and aligning with Australian health guidelines.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the Australian standard drink measurement of 10 grams of pure alcohol, outlines how it applies to various beverage types like beer, wine, and spirits, and provides practical examples for accurately tracking consumption.

Key Points

Definition: A single Australian standard drink contains exactly 10 grams of pure alcohol.
Labels: By law, all packaged alcoholic drinks in Australia must state the number of standard drinks they contain.
Variety: A serving size of beer, wine, or a cocktail often contains more than one standard drink, depending on its alcohol percentage and volume.
Guidelines: The NHMRC recommends healthy adults consume no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than 4 on any single day to minimise health risks.
Calculation: For unpackaged drinks, you can calculate standard drinks by multiplying the volume (L) by the ABV (%) and then by 0.789.
Safety: Understanding standard drinks is crucial for managing your intake, following health guidelines, and ensuring you are under the legal limit for driving.

What Defines a Standard Drink in Australia?

In Australia, a standard drink is consistently defined as containing 10 grams of pure alcohol. This measurement is crucial for understanding and moderating alcohol consumption and is legally required to be displayed on packaged alcoholic beverages. However, this can be less clear for drinks served in pubs or at parties where serving sizes and alcohol percentages vary, with a single glass often containing more than one standard drink.

How Standard Drinks Differ Across Beverages

The volume of a standard drink varies depending on the alcohol by volume (ABV) of the beverage.

Beer: A 375ml can of mid-strength beer (3.5% ABV) is one standard drink. Full-strength beer (4.8% ABV) in the same size can is 1.4 standard drinks, while a schooner (425ml) is about 1.6 standard drinks.
Wine: A standard 100ml glass of 13% ABV wine is one standard drink. However, a typical 150ml restaurant pour is closer to 1.5 standard drinks, and a 750ml bottle of 13% ABV wine contains around 7.7 standard drinks.
Spirits: A 30ml shot of 40% ABV spirit is one standard drink. Cocktails often contain multiple standard drinks.
Pre-mixed Drinks: A 375ml can of a pre-mixed drink at 5% ABV contains 1.5 standard drinks.

Calculating Your Own Standard Drinks

For unpackaged drinks, you can estimate standard drinks using the formula: Standard Drinks = Volume (ml) x ABV (%) / 1000.

Australian Standard Drink Comparison Table

The following table illustrates the standard drink content of common beverages and serving sizes in Australia.


Beverage Type	Serving Size	Approx. ABV	Standard Drinks
Mid-Strength Beer	375ml can	3.5%	1.0
Full-Strength Beer	285ml glass (middy/pot)	4.9%	1.1
Full-Strength Beer	375ml can/stubbie	4.8%	1.4
Wine	100ml glass	13%	1.0
Wine	150ml glass	13%	1.6
Fortified Wine	60ml glass	20%	0.9
Spirits	30ml nip	40%	1.0
Pre-mixed Drink	375ml can	5%	1.5

The Importance of Knowing Standard Drinks

Understanding standard drinks is essential for adhering to the NHMRC guidelines, which recommend a maximum of 10 standard drinks per week and no more than 4 on a single day to reduce health risks. It is also vital for staying within legal blood alcohol limits for driving and making informed choices about alcohol consumption.

Conclusion: The Key to Responsible Consumption

Knowing that a standard drink in Australia contains 10 grams of pure alcohol is fundamental for responsible drinking. While packaged drinks are labelled, it's important to be mindful of serving sizes in venues. This knowledge helps Australians manage their intake, follow national health advice, and minimise the risks associated with alcohol.

For more detailed information on standard drinks and responsible consumption, refer to the Australian Government Department of Health website.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Australia, a standard drink is any beverage that contains 10 grams of pure alcohol. This metric is used regardless of the drink type, serving size, or alcohol percentage.

All packaged alcoholic products sold in Australia are legally required to display the approximate number of standard drinks on their label. This is the most accurate way to check for bottled or canned drinks.

An average restaurant serving of wine (150ml) typically contains more than one standard drink. For instance, a 150ml glass of 13.5% red wine is approximately 1.6 standard drinks.

A 375ml can of mid-strength beer, which has an average alcohol content of 3.5%, is generally considered to be exactly one standard drink.

Yes, a single 30ml nip of spirits with a 40% alcohol by volume (ABV) is equivalent to one standard drink.

The NHMRC guidelines state that healthy men and women should consume no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than 4 on any single day to reduce health risks.

Counting standard drinks is important for several reasons, including monitoring your health, staying within legal blood alcohol limits when driving, and ensuring responsible alcohol consumption.