330ml Beer at 5% ABV: Exactly How Many Grams of Ethanol?
A 330ml 5% beer has exactly 13.0g of ethanol. Enter that into the calculator with your weight to see your precise BAC estimate.
Calculate Your Beer BAC →The 330ml can or bottle is the most common beer serving size in Europe. Knowing exactly how much ethanol it contains — down to the decimal — is the starting point for any accurate BAC calculation. Let's work through the complete math.
The Exact Calculation: 330 × 0.05 × 0.789
For a standard 330ml beer at 5% ABV:
330 ml × 0.05 × 0.789 = 13.02 grams of ethanol
Breaking this down step by step:
- Step 1: 330 × 0.05 = 16.5ml of pure ethanol liquid in the can.
- Step 2: 16.5ml × 0.789 g/ml = 13.02g of ethanol by mass.
- Why multiply by 0.789: Ethanol is less dense than water. Its density is 0.789 g/ml at 20°C. See why 0.789 is the key constant.
Rounded to one decimal place: 13.0g per 330ml can at 5% ABV. This is 0.93 US standard drinks (14g each), 1.63 UK units (8g each), and 1.30 Polish standard drinks (10g each).
Comparing 330ml Beer to a Standard Drink by Country
| Country | Standard Unit | Grams | 330ml 5% Beer = X Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Standard drink | 14g | 0.93 drinks |
| United Kingdom | Unit | 8g | 1.63 units |
| Poland | Standard drink | 10g | 1.30 drinks |
| Australia | Standard drink | 10g | 1.30 drinks |
| Germany | Einheit | 12g | 1.08 units |
| France | Verre | 10g | 1.30 verres |
This means drinking "3 beers" in the US is very different from "3 standard drinks" in the UK — your actual ethanol intake (39g) is the same, but the standard drink count differs significantly. For a full worldwide comparison, see standard drink sizes worldwide.
Knowing you drank 13g of ethanol per can, use the calculator below to see your estimated BAC after 1, 2, or more beers.
Calculate Your Beer BAC Now →How 13g of Ethanol Affects Your BAC by Weight
Using the Widmark formula (BAC = grams ÷ (body weight in grams × r factor) × 100), here is what one 330ml 5% beer does to BAC immediately after drinking (before metabolism):
| Body Weight | Male BAC (r=0.68) | Female BAC (r=0.55) |
|---|---|---|
| 55 kg (121 lb) | 0.035% | 0.043% |
| 65 kg (143 lb) | 0.029% | 0.036% |
| 75 kg (165 lb) | 0.026% | 0.032% |
| 85 kg (187 lb) | 0.022% | 0.028% |
| 95 kg (209 lb) | 0.020% | 0.025% |
Peak BAC before metabolism, Widmark formula. Actual peak is ~30 minutes after drinking.
BAC Impact Table: 1 to 4 Beers by Weight
| Beers (330ml 5%) | Total Grams | 70kg Male BAC | 60kg Female BAC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 beer | 13.0g | 0.027% | 0.039% |
| 2 beers | 26.0g | 0.055% | 0.079% |
| 3 beers | 39.0g | 0.082% | 0.118% |
| 4 beers | 52.0g | 0.109% | 0.157% |
Estimates at peak (0 hours elapsed). Legal driving limit is 0.08% in the US, 0.05% in many European countries.
How Many 330ml Bottles Before You Hit 0.08 BAC?
For a 70kg (154 lb) male, the formula gives approximately 0.027% per beer. To reach 0.08%, you need roughly 3 beers (0.082%). For a 60kg (132 lb) female, 2 beers already puts you near the limit (0.079%). These are peak estimates on an empty stomach — food and time significantly reduce these numbers.
Remember: the 0.08% US legal limit means impairment has already been scientifically demonstrated at lower BAC levels (0.05% affects driving performance). Many European countries set their limit at 0.05%, which a 70kg male reaches after just 2 beers.
Not sure how many beers puts you over your country's legal limit? The calculator accounts for your exact weight, gender, and time elapsed.
Calculate Your Exact BAC →Frequently Asked Questions
Does beer strength above or below 5% change the calculation?
Yes — every 1% ABV change on a 330ml beer changes the ethanol by about 2.6g. A 4% beer has 10.4g; a 6% beer has 15.6g. Always check the label. See our formula guide at grams of alcohol formula.
Is a 330ml beer one standard drink?
In the US, a 330ml 5% beer is 0.93 standard drinks (just under one). In the UK, it counts as 1.63 units. In Poland, 1.30 drinks. The same physical beer is counted differently depending on which system you use.
How does 330ml compare to a US 12oz can?
A US 12oz can = 354.9ml — about 7.5% larger than a 330ml can. At 5% ABV, a 12oz can contains 14.0g of ethanol — exactly one US standard drink. The 330ml can at 13.0g is slightly under one standard drink.
Want to know your exact BAC after a few beers? The calculator does all the Widmark math instantly.
Calculate Your BAC Now →Disclaimer: This article provides educational information only. It does not constitute medical or legal advice. BAC calculators provide estimates, not exact measurements. Individual BAC varies based on numerous factors including body composition, metabolism, food intake, medications, and health conditions. Never rely solely on calculators to determine if you are safe to drive. The only safe BAC for driving is 0.00%. Always use alternative transportation after consuming alcohol. If you struggle with alcohol use, consult a healthcare professional or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.