How many units are in a shot of vodka?
1units
That is a 25ml single measure 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.
A single measure of spirits in England and Wales is 25ml or 35ml, and the pub must tell you which it serves. Scotland uses 25ml. Most vodka is 37.5% or 40% ABV.
Units by size and strength
| Drink | Size | Strength | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single 25ml of 37.5% | 25ml | 37.5% | 0.9 |
| Single 25ml of 40%Most common | 25ml | 40% | 1 |
| Single 35ml of 37.5% | 35ml | 37.5% | 1.3 |
| Double 50ml of 40% | 50ml | 40% | 2 |
| Double 70ml of 40% | 70ml | 40% | 2.8 |
| Bottle (700ml) of 37.5% | 700ml | 37.5% | 26 |
A 25ml single of 40% spirit is exactly one unit. That is where the whole unit system comes from, and it makes spirits the easiest drink to count.
How this is worked out
units = volume (ml) × ABV (%) ÷ 1000
For a 25ml single measure 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.
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