Alcohol Units and Guidelines Explained

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class="article-item pb-0"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="article-item-content column-start-1 column-end-13 pb-24"> <p class="article-category mb-16"> About alcohol </p> <h1 class="article-item-title h1-lg text-black fw-800 " data-id="{AB6E58E5-4CA1-4133-B886-A92AC81A81DA}" data-title='Alcohol Units and Guidelines Explained'> Alcohol Units and Guidelines Explained </h1> <div class="article-description fw-300"> When it comes to understanding guidelines and putting them into context, a ‘unit’ can be useful. Here’s everything you need to know. </div> </div> </div> <div class="share-icons page-share "> <a href="javascript:;" class="share-on-facebook icon icon-facebook d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center facebook-icon position-relative"><span class="invisible">Facebook</span></a> <a href="javascript:;" class="share-on-whatsapp icon icon-whatsapp d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center whatsapp-icon position-relative"><span class="invisible">Whatsapp</span></a> <a href="javascript:;" class="share-on-email icon icon-email d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center mail-icon position-relative"><span class="invisible">Mail</span></a> </div> <section class="image-with-caption-wrapper pb-0"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="image-with-caption column-start-1 column-end-13 pb-48"> <div class="image-caption-image column-start-1 column-end-13"> <picture data-animate data-animation="fade-in"> <source data-srcset='/~/media/Images/D/drinkiq/Universal/drinkiq--images/in-english/banner-module-images/about-alcohol/what-is-a-standard-drink-ill.webp' media="(min-width: 992px)"> <source data-srcset='/~/media/Images/D/drinkiq/Universal/drinkiq--images/in-english/banner-module-images/about-alcohol/what-is-a-standard-drink-ill.webp' media="(min-width: 767px)"> <img class="lazy w-100" data-src='/~/media/Images/D/drinkiq/Universal/drinkiq--images/in-english/banner-module-images/about-alcohol/what-is-a-standard-drink-ill.webp' alt='Alcohol Units and Guidelines Explained'> <noscript> <img src='/~/media/Images/D/drinkiq/Universal/drinkiq--images/in-english/banner-module-images/about-alcohol/what-is-a-standard-drink-ill.webp' alt='Alcohol Units and Guidelines Explained' /> </noscript> </picture> </div> <figcaption class="caption column-start-1 column-end-13 text-caption"> Alcohol Units and Guidelines Explained </figcaption> </div> </div> </section> <section class="config-text pt-0 pb-0"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="config-text-content column-start-1 column-end-13"> <p>A unit is a measure of the alcohol in your drink. It’s the same for beer, wine and spirits, and is expressed as grams of ethanol <a href="#refs1">(1)</a>. In the UK, a unit contains eight grams <a href="#refs2">(2)</a>. </p> <p>The purpose of a unit is to provide consistency across beverage types and help translate the science behind drinking and health into something easily understood. This is important for providing <a href="/en-pem/about-alcohol/what-are-drinking-guidelines-and-why-are-they-important">drinking guidelines</a> and advice. The UK Chief Medical Officer’s guideline for both men and women is not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis, to minimise any health risks from alcohol <a href="#refs3">(3)</a>. </p> <h2>Standard unit sizes are different across countries, but they always ensure the amount of alcohol is the same in any beverage </h2> </div> </div> </section> <section class="image-with-caption-wrapper pt-0 pb-0"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="image-with-caption column-start-1 column-end-13 pb-40 d-flex caption-right "> <div class="image-caption-image column-start-1 column-end-13"> <picture data-animate data-animation="fade-in"> <source data-srcset='/~/media/Images/D/drinkiq/Universal/drinkiq--images/en-pem/drinkiq-16-9-inpage-b02-info-a.webp' media="(min-width: 992px)"> <source data-srcset='/~/media/Images/D/drinkiq/Universal/drinkiq--images/en-pem/drinkiq-16-9-inpage-b02-info-a.webp' media="(min-width: 767px)"> <img class="lazy w-100" data-src='/~/media/Images/D/drinkiq/Universal/drinkiq--images/en-pem/drinkiq-16-9-inpage-b02-info-a.webp' alt='Infographic explaining how much alcohol is in an Australian Standard drink, as well as how many standard drinks are in beer, wine and spirits'> <noscript> <img src='/~/media/Images/D/drinkiq/Universal/drinkiq--images/en-pem/drinkiq-16-9-inpage-b02-info-a.webp' alt='Infographic explaining how much alcohol is in an Australian Standard drink, as well as how many standard drinks are in beer, wine and spirits' /> </noscript> </picture> </div> <figcaption class="caption column-start-1 column-end-13 text-caption"> Infographic explaining how much alcohol is in a UK alcohol unit, as well as how many units are in common drinks beer, wine and spirits. </figcaption> </div> </div> </section> <section class="config-text pt-0 pb-0"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="config-text-content column-start-1 column-end-13"> <p>Not all countries use the same unit size as the UK <a href="#refs1"><sup>(1)</sup></a>. Nevertheless, in each case, the same measure applies whether you’re drinking beer, wine or spirits.</p> <p>Some places, like the US, also refer to a ‘standard drink’ rather than a ‘unit’.</p> <p>For example:</p> <ul> <li> <p>A standard unit in the UK contains 8 grams of ethanol</p> </li> <li> <p>In Australia and France, the standard is 10 grams</p> </li> <li> <p>A Mexican standard drink contains 13 grams</p> </li> <li> <p>There are 14 grams of ethanol in a standard drink in the US, Argentina and Chile</p> </li> </ul> <h2>Units can help you understand drinking guidelines</h2> </div> </div> </section> <section class="image-with-caption-wrapper pt-0 pb-0"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="image-with-caption column-start-1 column-end-13 pb-40 d-flex caption-right "> <div class="image-caption-image column-start-1 column-end-13"> <picture data-animate data-animation="fade-in"> <source data-srcset='/~/media/Images/D/drinkiq/Universal/drinkiq--images/en-pem/drinkiq-16-9-inpage-b02-info-b.webp' media="(min-width: 992px)"> <source data-srcset='/~/media/Images/D/drinkiq/Universal/drinkiq--images/en-pem/drinkiq-16-9-inpage-b02-info-b.webp' media="(min-width: 767px)"> <img class="lazy w-100" data-src='/~/media/Images/D/drinkiq/Universal/drinkiq--images/en-pem/drinkiq-16-9-inpage-b02-info-b.webp' alt='Infographic explaining what 1 alcohol unit is equal to in terms of beer, wine and spirits'> <noscript> <img src='/~/media/Images/D/drinkiq/Universal/drinkiq--images/en-pem/drinkiq-16-9-inpage-b02-info-b.webp' alt='Infographic explaining what 1 alcohol unit is equal to in terms of beer, wine and spirits' /> </noscript> </picture> </div> <figcaption class="caption column-start-1 column-end-13 text-caption"> Infographic explaining what 1 alcohol unit is equal to in terms of beer, wine and spirits </figcaption> </div> </div> </section> <section class="config-text pt-0 pb-16"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="config-text-content column-start-1 column-end-13"> <p>It’s true that a unit doesn’t always translate into how drinks are actually served. For example, many cocktails contain several different spirits or are mixed with wine or champagne, so they’ll most likely contain more alcohol than in a standard unit. Also, since wine comes in different strengths, and glasses are available in different sizes, the amount of alcohol you drink may not be standard. This is especially true if you’re at home and top up your glass before you’re finished.</p> <p>However, a unit is still a useful concept. Since the concentrations of drinks are different, a unit ensures that the amount of <a href="/en-pem/about-alcohol/did-you-know-beer-wine-and-spirits-all-contain-ethanol">ethanol</a> in a serving is always the same. This is important for sharing information about drinking and its effects on your health.</p> <p>Using a standard unit allows for guidance on levels of drinking, regardless of whether the drinks are spirits, wine or beer. Plus, advice is generally given in terms of the number of units it’s best not to exceed in a day or a week, or on an occasion. </p> </div> </div> </section> <section class="module-link-box pt-0 "> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="link-box column-start-1 column-end-13 "> <a class="link-wrapper d-flex" href='https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/545937/UK_CMOs__report.pdf' target='_blank' title='Opens in new window' data-linktype='external' aria-label="CMO drinking guidelines"> <div class="link-icon"> <span class="external-link white"></span> </div> <div class="link-content"> <div class="link-text fw-800"> CMO drinking guidelines </div> <span class=""> https://www.gov.uk/ </span> <span class="small-link-icon external-link"> </span> </div> </a> </div> </div> </section> <section class="accordion pt-0 pb-0"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="accordion-item column-start-1 column-end-13 pt-20 pb-20"> <a href="javascript:void(0);" class="accordion-heading accordion-heading-js"> <span class="accordion-title fw-800">References</span> <span class="accordion-icon accordion-icon-js"> <svg width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" fill="#2314a7" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path fill-rule="evenodd" clip-rule="evenodd" d="M11 9H20V11H11V20H9V11H0V9H9V0H11V9Z"></path></svg> </span> </a> <div class="accordion-content accordion-content-js "><ol> <li><a href="https://iard.org/science-resources/detail/Drinking-Guidelines-General-Population" title="Opens in new window" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="Article_typography_link__s55T6">International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD). Drinking guidelines: General population. 2019; Available from:</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/calculating-alcohol-units/" title="Opens in new window" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="Article_typography_link__s55T6">U.K. National Health Service (NHS). Alcohol units. 2018; Available from: </a></li> <li>U.K. Government, UK Chief Medical Officers' Low Risk Drinking Guidelines. 2016, UK Government: London. </li> </ol> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section id="module---two-column-text-with-link" class="two-column-text-with-link pb-0"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="test-and-help-block-wrapper column-start-1 column-end-13"> <div class="container-fluid p-0"> <div class="test-and-help-block column-start-1 column-end-13"> <div class="test-link-block-title column-start-1 column-end-13"> <h2 class="pt-40 mb-16">Are you concerned about the effects of drinking on your body?</h2> </div> <div class="test-link-block column-start-1 column-end-13"> <div> <p class="fw-300 mb-0">Whether it's about yourself or someone else, use our drinking self-assessment to understand the risk.</p> <div> <a class="d-flex justify-content-space-between align-items-center pt-20 pb-20 test-link" href=/en-pem/audit data-linktype='internal' aria-label="Take the test"> <span>Take the test</span> <span class="cta cta-round"> </span> </a> </div> </div> <div class="help-section"> <p class="help-section-title mb-0 fw-300">If you or someone you know is drinking problematically, our list of support networks is a good place to start.</p> <div> <a class="d-flex justify-content-space-between align-items-center pt-20 pb-20 test-link help-link" href=/en-pem/get-help data-linktype='internal'> <span>Get help now</span> <span class="cta cta-round"> </span> </a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="quiz-link-block "> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="column-start-1 column-end-13 quiz-block-outer-wrapper"> <div class="container-fluid p-0"> <div class="quiz-block-title column-start-1 column-end-13 mb-24"> <h2 class= "mb-0">How much do you really know about alcohol?</h2> </div> <div class="quiz-block-image pb-32 column-start-1 column-end-13"> <img src="/~/media/Images/D/drinkiq/Universal/drinkiq--images/in-english/about-alcohol-quiz.webp?iar=0" alt="Find out with our five-minute quiz on drinking and its effects." /> </div> <div class="quiz-block-text column-start-1 column-end-13"> <p class="mb-0 fw-300 quiz-block-decription "> Find out with our five-minute quiz on drinking and its effects.</p> <div> <a class="d-flex justify-content-space-between align-items-center" href=/en-pem/quiz data-linktype='internal' aria-label="Take the quiz"> <span>Take the quiz</span> <span class="cta cta-round"> </span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="article-link-wrapper"> <div class="container-fluid"> <div class="content-wrapper column-start-1 column-end-13"> <div class="main-title"> <h2 class="title m-0 fw-800">More like this</h2> </div> <div class="article-items-wrapper"> <div> <a href="/en-pem/support-with-drinking/can-a-balanced-lifestyle-include-drinking-alcohol" class="article-item-wrapper" aria-label="Can a balanced lifestyle include drinking alcohol?"> <div class="article-content"> <p class="article-category"> Support with drinking </p> <p class="article-title"> Can a balanced lifestyle include drinking alcohol? 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Alcohol Units and Guidelines Explained | DRINKiQ UK