Alcohol Units Calculator
Add the drinks you had this week and see how many units they add up to — compared to the NHS guideline of 14 units per week. No jargon, no judgment.
Biological sex (affects higher-risk threshold)
What did you drink this week?
Add each drink you had — use a typical week if you are not sure about this one
🍺 Pint of lager / beer
4–5% ABV · 2.3 units each
🍺 Pint of strong lager / beer
6–7% ABV · 3 units each
🍷 Small glass of wine (125ml)
12–13% ABV · 1.5 units each
🍷 Medium glass of wine (175ml)
12–13% ABV · 2.1 units each
🍷 Large glass of wine (250ml)
12–13% ABV · 3 units each
🍾 Bottle of wine (750ml)
12–13% ABV · 9 units each
🥃 Single shot spirit (25ml)
Gin, vodka, whisky — 40% ABV · 1 units each
🥃 Double shot spirit (50ml)
Gin, vodka, whisky — 40% ABV · 2 units each
🍺 Bottle / can of beer (330ml)
4–5% ABV · 1.7 units each
🍺 Can of strong lager (440ml)
6–7% ABV · 3 units each
🧃 Alcopop / premixed drink
275ml, ~4% ABV · 1.1 units each
🥂 Glass of prosecco / champagne (125ml)
11–12% ABV · 1.5 units each
🍺 Pint of cider
4–5% ABV · 2.3 units each
🍺 Pint of strong cider
6–8% ABV · 3.4 units each
Your weekly units
0
NHS guideline: 14 units per week
Non-drinker
No alcohol-related risk from drinking.
Units over guideline
—
Estimated calories
—
kcal from alcohol this week
Annual units
—
if you drink the same every week
Total drinks counted
0
this week
Unit values are estimates based on standard drink sizes and ABV. Actual units vary by brand and pour size. This tool is for information only — speak to your GP if you are concerned about your drinking.
What the NHS says about alcohol and your health
Low risk — up to 14 units per week
The NHS recommends no more than 14 units per week for both men and women. That is roughly 6 pints of average-strength beer or 10 small glasses of wine. If you drink this amount, spreading it over three or more days keeps the risk lower than having it all at once.
Increasing risk — 14 to 35 units (women) / 50 units (men)
Above 14 units, the risk of conditions like liver disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and several types of cancer rises progressively. Many people in this range do not feel unwell — which is part of why it is worth checking the numbers rather than going on how you feel.
Higher risk — above 35 units (women) / 50 units (men)
At this level, alcohol is likely to be causing measurable harm. The NHS refers to this as "higher risk" or "dependent" drinking. If you are regularly drinking at this level, speaking to a GP is the right step. It is not about cutting out alcohol overnight, it is about getting the right support.
What counts as one unit?
One unit is 10ml of pure alcohol. That is roughly a single 25ml shot of spirits (40% ABV), half a pint of standard lager, or a small 125ml glass of wine at 8% ABV. The confusing part is that most drinks contain more than one unit — a standard 175ml glass of 12% wine is about 2.1 units, and a pint of 5% lager is about 2.8 units.
Alcohol and weight
Alcohol is calorie-dense — roughly 7 kcal per gram, almost as much as fat. A bottle of wine contains around 600 kcal. Two pints of lager is around 380 kcal. These calories are in addition to food and are often overlooked when people are trying to manage their weight.
Need support with alcohol reduction?
If you or a patient is drinking above the low-risk threshold, a brief intervention from a pharmacist or GP — known as a FRAMES intervention — can be highly effective. Many pharmacies and GP practices offer this as part of their NHS services. Ask at your local clinic.