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Standard Drinks Calculator

Find out how many Australian standard drinks are in your beverage — beer, wine, spirits, or anything else.

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Standard drinks in Australia — what you need to know

In Australia, a standard drink contains exactly 10 grams of pure alcohol. This definition is set by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and is used on all alcohol labelling in the country. The formula is straightforward: volume in millilitres, multiplied by the ABV percentage, multiplied by 0.789 (the density of ethanol), divided by 10,000.

Understanding standard drinks matters because the size of a "drink" varies enormously. A pint of craft beer at 6.5% ABV contains more than twice the alcohol of a schooner of mid-strength at 3.5%. Here are some common examples:

🦘 Fun fact: Australia was one of the first countries to require standard drink labelling on all alcoholic beverages. The system was introduced in 1995 to help people monitor their alcohol intake. Despite this, surveys show most Australians still underestimate the number of standard drinks they consume.

Frequently asked questions

What is a standard drink in Australia?

In Australia, a standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol. This is defined by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The formula is: volume (litres) x ABV (%) x 0.789. All alcoholic beverages sold in Australia must display the number of standard drinks on the label. For comparison, a standard drink in the US is 14g and in the UK is 8g — so be careful when reading international guidelines.

How many standard drinks in a bottle of wine?

A standard 750mL bottle of wine at 13% ABV contains approximately 7.7 standard drinks. A typical 150mL glass is about 1.5 standard drinks. Wine ABV varies widely: a light riesling at 10% has about 5.9 standard drinks per bottle, while a full-bodied shiraz at 15% has about 8.9 standard drinks per bottle. Always check the label for the exact number.

How many standard drinks can I have and drive?

Australia's legal BAC limit is 0.05 for full licence holders and 0.00 for learner and provisional drivers. As a rough guide, most people stay under 0.05 with no more than 2 standard drinks in the first hour and 1 per hour after that (men), or 1 in the first hour and 1 per hour after (women). However, BAC depends on weight, sex, food intake, and individual metabolism. If in doubt, don't drive.

How do I count standard drinks?

The easiest way is to check the label — all Australian alcoholic products must display the number of standard drinks. For drinks poured at home or at a bar, use the formula: volume (mL) x ABV% x 0.789 / 10,000. Common examples: a 375mL can of mid-strength beer (3.5%) = 1.0 standard drink; a 150mL glass of wine (13%) = 1.5 standard drinks; a 30mL nip of spirits (40%) = 0.9 standard drinks.