Over the years the alcohol content of most drinks has gone up. A drink can now contain more units than you think – a pint of premium lager can contain as much as 3 units and a small glass of wine (175ml) around 2 units.

One unit is approximately:

• ½ pint of ordinary strength beer, lager or cider
• 1 pub measure (50 ml) of sherry or vermouth
• 1 pub measure of spirit (25 ml), eg gin, vodka or whisky.

To work out accurately the number of units in your drink, the following equation can be applied:
(Note: ABV = alcohol by volume)

ABV x volume = number of units
       1000

For example, by using the above equation we can calculate that a pint of lager (568 ml), which has the alcoholic strength of 5.2% ABV, will contain 3 units.

5.2 x 568 = 2.95 (ie 3 units).
   1000

Reviewed: May 2009