440ml Beer Can: Grams of Alcohol at Every ABV
A 440ml 5% can = 17.4g = 1.24 US standard drinks. Each can is more than 'one drink.' Enter your cans for a precise BAC estimate.
Calculate Your Can BAC →The 440ml can is the dominant supermarket beer format in the UK. When you grab a 4-pack or 6-pack from a UK supermarket shelf, you are almost certainly holding 440ml cans. At 5% ABV, each can contains 17.4g of ethanol — 1.24 US standard drinks. A 6-pack at 5% is 7.4 standard drinks total, not six. This matters enormously for anyone tracking their intake.
How to Calculate Grams in a 440ml Beer Can
Formula: 440 ml × ABV (decimal) × 0.789 = grams. For 5% ABV: 440 × 0.05 × 0.789 = 17.4g. For UK units: 440 × 5 / 1000 = 2.20 UK units per can. See the full table for all common ABVs:
Complete Grams Table: 440ml Can at Every ABV
| ABV | Grams Ethanol | US Std Drinks | UK Units | BAC 70kg Male | BAC 60kg Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5% | 12.2g | 0.87 | 1.52 | 0.026% | 0.037% |
| 4% | 13.9g | 0.99 | 1.74 | 0.029% | 0.042% |
| 4.5% | 15.6g | 1.11 | 1.95 | 0.033% | 0.047% |
| 5% | 17.4g | 1.24 | 2.17 | 0.037% | 0.053% |
| 5.5% | 19.1g | 1.36 | 2.39 | 0.040% | 0.058% |
| 6% | 20.8g | 1.49 | 2.6 | 0.044% | 0.063% |
| 6.5% | 22.6g | 1.61 | 2.83 | 0.047% | 0.068% |
| 7% | 24.3g | 1.74 | 3.04 | 0.051% | 0.074% |
| 8% | 27.8g | 1.99 | 3.48 | 0.058% | 0.084% |
Grams = 440 × ABV × 0.789. UK units = 440 × ABV / 1000. US standard drink = 14g, UK unit = 8g.
How many 440ml cans before you hit the legal limit? Enter your weight and cans into the BAC calculator for an instant answer.
Calculate Your 440ml Can BAC →The 440ml Can vs Other Beer Formats
| Format | Volume | 5% ABV Grams | UK Units | US Std Drinks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 330ml bottle/can | 330ml | 13.0g | 1.65 | 0.93 |
| 440ml can (UK) | 440ml | 17.4g | 2.20 | 1.24 |
| 500ml can (European) | 500ml | 19.7g | 2.50 | 1.41 |
| 568ml pint (draught) | 568ml | 22.4g | 2.84 | 1.60 |
Many people who drink 440ml cans believe they are consuming slightly more than a 330ml bottle. In reality, a 440ml can is 34% larger — delivering 4.4g more ethanol at 5% ABV. Over a night of drinking, this difference accumulates significantly.
A 6-Pack of 440ml Cans at 5%: The Total Numbers
A standard UK 6-pack of 440ml 5% cans contains: 6 × 17.4g = 104.3g of ethanol. This is 7.45 US standard drinks, 13.03 UK units, and enough to raise the BAC of a 70kg man to approximately 0.327% — life-threateningly high. Even if consumed over a full evening with metabolism, a 70kg man metabolising at 0.015%/hr for 4 hours eliminates 0.060% — the remaining BAC would still be over 0.26%.
The point is not that anyone drinks a 6-pack rapidly — but that each can counts as 1.24 standard drinks, not 1. Tracking "how many cans" severely underestimates intake.
How Many 440ml Cans Before Hitting 0.08 BAC?
| Weight / Gender | BAC per 440ml 5% can | Cans to reach 0.08% | Cans to reach 0.05% (EU) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60kg Female (r=0.55) | 0.053% | ~1.5 cans | ~1 can |
| 70kg Male (r=0.68) | 0.037% | ~2.2 cans | ~1.4 cans |
| 80kg Male (r=0.68) | 0.032% | ~2.5 cans | ~1.6 cans |
| 90kg Male (r=0.68) | 0.029% | ~2.8 cans | ~1.7 cans |
These are peak estimates without any time elapsed for metabolism. With food and time, actual BAC will be lower.
Use the Alcomato calculator to track your 440ml cans over time, accounting for food, pacing, and your exact weight.
Track 440ml Can BAC Over Time →Frequently Asked Questions
Why do UK supermarkets sell 440ml not 500ml cans?
The 440ml format originated in the UK before metrication, as 15.5 Imperial fluid ounces — a size that emerged from traditional pub measures. It became the supermarket standard and has persisted despite European metrication. Some premium brands now sell 500ml cans alongside 440ml, which is creating confusion about which format is being purchased.
Is a 440ml can one UK unit?
No — not even close. At 5% ABV, a 440ml can = 2.2 UK units. Even at 3.5% ABV (a lighter beer), a 440ml can = 1.54 units. The "one can = one unit" misconception is one of the most dangerous alcohol myths in the UK. A single 440ml 5% can is more than two UK units.
How does the 440ml can compare to the 330ml can for BAC?
A 440ml 5% can (17.4g) is 34% more alcohol than a 330ml 5% can (13.0g). For a 70kg man, the difference per can is 0.011% BAC. Over 3 cans, drinking 440ml cans instead of 330ml cans adds 0.033% to your BAC — the equivalent of almost one extra 330ml can. See the 330ml beer grams article for the smaller can comparison.
Enter your 440ml cans and weight into the BAC calculator for an accurate estimate.
Open the BAC Calculator →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.