1 Pint of Beer (568ml): Grams of Alcohol at Every ABV
One 568ml pint at 4% = 17.9g = 2.27 UK units. Not 'one drink' by any international standard. Enter your pint for a precise BAC estimate.
Calculate Your Pint BAC →A British pint is 568ml (20 Imperial fluid ounces) — and it is the standard unit for draught beer in UK pubs. One pint of typical 4% session ale contains 17.9g of ethanol. But when you upgrade to a craft 6% IPA, that same pint delivers 26.9g — nearly double a US standard drink — while still appearing to be just "one pint."
How to Calculate Grams in a 568ml Pint
Formula: 568 ml × ABV (decimal) × 0.789 = grams. For 4% ABV: 568 × 0.04 × 0.789 = 17.9g. For the UK unit count: the shortcut is (Pint volume in ml) × ABV / 1000. So a 568ml pint at 4% = 568 × 4 / 1000 = 2.27 UK units. This is the official UK unit calculation formula.
Complete Grams Table: 568ml Pint at Every ABV
| ABV | Grams Ethanol | US Std Drinks | UK Units | BAC 70kg Male | BAC 60kg Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3% | 13.4g | 0.96 | 1.68 | 0.028% | 0.041% |
| 3.5% | 15.7g | 1.12 | 1.96 | 0.033% | 0.048% |
| 4% | 17.9g | 1.28 | 2.24 | 0.038% | 0.054% |
| 4.5% | 20.2g | 1.44 | 2.52 | 0.042% | 0.061% |
| 5% | 22.4g | 1.6 | 2.8 | 0.047% | 0.068% |
| 5.5% | 24.6g | 1.76 | 3.08 | 0.052% | 0.075% |
| 6% | 26.9g | 1.92 | 3.36 | 0.057% | 0.082% |
| 7% | 31.4g | 2.24 | 3.92 | 0.066% | 0.095% |
Grams = 568 × ABV × 0.789. UK units = 568 × ABV / 1000. US standard drink = 14g, UK unit = 8g.
Know your pint's ABV? Enter the exact ABV and 568ml volume into the BAC calculator for a personalised BAC estimate.
Calculate Your Pint BAC →UK Unit Formula for a Pint
The UK's unit calculation formula is: Units = Volume (ml) × ABV (%) / 1000. For a 568ml pint:
- 3% ABV: 568 × 3 / 1000 = 1.70 units
- 4% ABV: 568 × 4 / 1000 = 2.27 units
- 5% ABV: 568 × 5 / 1000 = 2.84 units
- 6% ABV: 568 × 6 / 1000 = 3.41 units
The UK weekly guideline is 14 units. At a 4% session ale, you reach 14 units after just 6.2 pints per week. If you drink two 4% pints on each of three weekend nights, that is 13.6 units — almost at the weekly limit, and most people consider that "moderate" pub drinking.
US Pint vs British Pint
| Pint Type | Volume | 5% ABV Grams | US Std Drinks | UK Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British/Imperial pint | 568ml | 22.4g | 1.60 | 2.80 |
| US pint | 473ml | 18.7g | 1.33 | 2.36 |
| 330ml can (for ref) | 330ml | 13.0g | 0.93 | 1.63 |
The US pint (16 fl oz, 473ml) is 17% smaller than the British pint. An American visiting the UK who orders "a pint" is getting 20% more beer than expected. This difference adds up: three UK pints at 5% = 67.2g of ethanol; three US pints at 5% = 56.0g — a difference equivalent to nearly one extra standard drink.
How Many Pints Before You Hit 0.08 BAC?
For a 75kg man (r=0.68), one 568ml 4% pint raises BAC by approximately 0.035%. Two pints: 0.070%. Three pints: 0.105% — over the UK 0.08% limit. For a 60kg woman (r=0.55), two 4% pints produces approximately 0.091% — already over the limit. For 5% pints, the numbers are 25% higher across the board.
Going to the pub? Use the Alcomato calculator to see how many pints puts you over the UK 0.08% driving limit for your weight and gender.
Calculate Your Pub BAC →Frequently Asked Questions
Is a pint of Guinness the same as a pint of lager?
Guinness Draught is 4.1–4.2% ABV. A 568ml pint of Guinness contains approximately 18.4g of ethanol = 2.30 UK units. Compared to a standard 4% lager (17.9g), Guinness is marginally stronger — about 3% more alcohol per pint. However, there is a common misconception that Guinness is stronger than lager, which is simply not true for the draught versions.
How many units in a pint of craft IPA at 6.5%?
568 × 6.5 / 1000 = 3.69 UK units. A single pint of strong craft IPA is over a quarter of the weekly recommended alcohol limit. Three of these pints = 11.1 units, leaving only 2.9 units for the rest of the week under the 14-unit guideline. See our grams formula guide to calculate any specific beer.
Does a pint glass in different countries mean different volumes?
Yes, significantly. The UK imperial pint (568ml) is the largest. The US pint (473ml) is 17% smaller. Australia and Canada use 568ml (imperial pint) in some contexts but 425ml (schooner) in others. Always confirm the volume when calculating BAC internationally. The grams formula works for any volume: volume (ml) × ABV × 0.789.
Enter your pints into the BAC calculator to see when you will be safe to drive home.
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.