What Is a Standard Drink?
In the US, one standard drink contains 14 grams (0.6 fl oz) of pure alcohol. Knowing what counts as one drink helps you track your consumption honestly — craft beers and mixed cocktails are often two or more standard drinks.
The US standard drink: 14 grams of pure alcohol
The US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines one standard drink as 14 grams (0.6 fluid ounces) of pure alcohol. In everyday terms, that equals: 12 fl oz of regular beer at about 5% alcohol, 5 fl oz of table wine at about 12% alcohol, or 1.5 fl oz of distilled spirits (whiskey, vodka, rum) at about 40% alcohol. The amount of alcohol is the same in each of these — only the liquid volume and container differ.
Why craft beers and cocktails can throw off your count
Many craft IPAs and stouts run 7–10% alcohol or higher, meaning a single 12-oz can can equal 1.5 to 2 standard drinks. A large pour of wine (8–9 oz) can be nearly two standard drinks. A mixed cocktail at a bar often contains 2–3 shots of spirits. Counting "number of drinks" without knowing the actual alcohol content can lead to underestimating how much you are consuming.
Why tracking standard drinks matters
Tracking in standard drinks — not glasses or cans — gives you an accurate picture of your alcohol intake. The CDC and NIAAA use standard drinks to define low-risk drinking levels. Understanding the standard drink unit helps you set meaningful goals, compare your intake to published guidelines, and notice patterns over time. Drymora's drink logger uses the US 14 g standard drink as its unit.
Sources
- U.S. NIAAA — What Is a Standard Drink?
- U.S. CDC — Alcohol & Public Health