How many units are in a gin and tonic?
1units
That is a single 25ml gin at 40% ABV. One UK unit is 10ml of pure alcohol. The weekly guideline of 14 units works out at about 14 of these across a whole week.
The tonic adds no alcohol, so the answer depends entirely on the measure of gin and its strength. A pre-mixed can is a different question again, and the strength is on the tin.
Units by size and strength
| Drink | Size | Strength | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single 25ml gin (37.5%) | 25ml | 37.5% | 0.9 |
| Single 25ml gin (40%)Most common | 25ml | 40% | 1 |
| Single 35ml gin (40%) | 35ml | 40% | 1.4 |
| Double 50ml gin (40%) | 50ml | 40% | 2 |
| Double 50ml navy strength (57%) | 50ml | 57% | 2.9 |
| Pre-mixed can (250ml at 5%) | 250ml | 5% | 1.3 |
A home pour is very often a double or more. If you are counting at home, measure it once to see what your usual pour actually is.
How this is worked out
units = volume (ml) × ABV (%) ÷ 1000
For a single 25ml gin at 40% ABV: 25 × 40 ÷ 1000 = 1 units.
Try the unit calculatorThe weekly guideline
The UK Chief Medical Officers advise no more than 14units a week for men and women alike, spread over three days or more, with several drink-free days. Drinking a week's worth in one session carries its own risks, separate from the weekly total.
If you drink heavily every day, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Speak to your GP before cutting down sharply.
Related questions
Knowing the number is the easy part
Alcohol-3 keeps the running total for you, shows what your weeks actually look like, and turns it into a report you can take to a GP.
- No card needed
- Delete your account at any time
- We never sell your data