Example 1
250 ml and 5% -> about 9.9 g ethanol, 1.0 unit.
Ethanol mass and 10 g units calculator
Type milliliters of the serving and the label percent. The calculator multiplies volume by percent and by 0.789, then divides ethanol mass by 10 g. 250 ml at 5% is about 9.9 g and 1.0 unit. 500 ml at 5% is about 19.7 g and 2.0. The UK 8 g unit stays out.
A label estimate, not medical advice. Cup: cup to mass. Servings: recipe scaling. Spoons: tablespoon and teaspoon.
Result
Enter a value. The result shows up here.
How it works
Pure alcohol mass is milliliters of the serving times volume percent over 100 times 0.789 g/ml, the density of ethanol. Two hundred fifty ml at 5% is 250 × 0.05 × 0.789 = 9.8625 g, about 9.9 g on the page. Three hundred thirty ml at 5% is about 13.0 g. Five hundred ml of 5% beer is 19.725 g. Fifty ml of 40% spirit is 50 × 0.40 × 0.789 = 15.78 g.
The unit on the second card is mass divided by 10 g. 9.86 g is 1.0 unit after rounding to one decimal place. 19.725 g is 1.9725, 2.0 on the page. The official UK unit of 8 g would give a higher unit count at the same mass. Here the divisor stays 10 g so the result matches this page’s formula, not a limit from another country.
Wine at 175 ml and 12% is about 16.6 g and 1.7 units. A 150 ml glass at 13% is about 15.4 g and 1.5. One hundred ml at 40% is about 31.6 g and 3.2. Three hundred thirty ml at 4.5% is about 11.7 g and 1.2. The drink is not pure ethanol, so 0.789 estimates alcohol from the percent, not the whole can.
Volume must be greater than zero. A negative percent and a percent above 100 are refused. Zero percent with a positive volume gives 0 g and 0.0 units. Both fields need values. An example fills 250 only after you click the button. The volume field stays in milliliters in US mode too: we do not convert fl oz in the field.
The metric/US switch formats mass in g or oz. The second card still divides grams by 10. The unit does not swell into ounces. A cup of milk next door uses another density. Recipe scaling multiplies servings, not ethanol from a label.
Type 250 and 5, click Calculate, and match about 9.9 g and 1.0. Blood alcohol, time, and body mass stay out. Treat the result as label arithmetic, not as a medical limit or a driving rule.
How to use
- Type milliliters of the serving, for example 250, 330, or 175.
- Type the volume percent from the label, for example 5, 12, or 40.
- Click Calculate. 250 ml at 5% gives about 9.9 g and 1.0 unit on the 10 g scale.
- Above 100% the calculator refuses. Zero percent with a positive volume gives 0 g and 0.0.
- Compare an 8 g limit on your own. This page always divides by 10 g.
Formula
mass g = ml × (% / 100) × 0.789
units = mass / 10
ml > 0. 0 ≤ % ≤ 100. Unit is 10 g, not 8 g.
Ethanol from 0.789 and 10 g units
mass = ml × (% / 100) × 0.789, units = mass / 10. 250 ml at 5% is about 9.9 g and 1.0 unit.
- ethanol
- Pure alcohol from the percent, not the whole can. 250 × 0.05 × 0.789 = 9.8625 g, about 9.9 g on the page.
- units
- Mass divided by 10 g, not by 8 g. 500 ml at 5% is 2.0. 175 ml at 12% is 1.7.
Real-life examples
Example 2
330 ml and 5% -> about 13.0 g, 1.3 units.
Example 3
500 ml and 5% -> about 19.7 g, 2.0 units.
Example 4
175 ml and 12% -> about 16.6 g, 1.7 units.
Example 5
150 ml and 13% -> about 15.4 g, 1.5 units.
Example 6
50 ml and 40% -> about 15.8 g, 1.6 units.
Example 7
100 ml and 40% -> about 31.6 g, 3.2 units.
Example 8
330 ml and 4.5% -> about 11.7 g, 1.2 units.
Ways to use this calculator
- You compare a 250 ml mug of 5% beer with a 175 ml glass of 12% wine when the label only gives percent and milliliters.
- You check that this page divides by 10 g before you line the result up with a limit someone counts at 8 g.
- You turn 50 ml and 40% into about 15.8 g before you compare a shot with the mug examples.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the unit 10 g when the UK uses 8 g?
This page divides ethanol mass by 10. 250 ml at 5% is about 9.9 g and 1.0 unit. An 8 g UK unit would show a higher count at the same mass.
Where does 0.789 in the ethanol mass come from?
It is the density of ethanol in g/ml. 250 × 5/100 × 0.789 = 9.8625 g, about 9.9 g on the page. An estimate of alcohol from the percent, not the whole can.
What do 250 ml at 5% and 500 ml at 5% give?
About 9.9 g and 1.0 unit, and 19.7 g and 2.0. 500 × 0.05 × 0.789 = 19.725 g, 2.0 on the page after dividing by 10.
Does US in the header turn the 10 g unit into ounces?
Mass on the first card goes in g or oz. The second card still divides grams by 10, so 250 ml at 5% stays 1.0 unit. The volume field stays in ml.
What at 0% and at 101%?
Zero percent with a positive volume, for example 250 ml, gives 0 g and 0.0. Above 100% the calculator refuses. A negative percent too.
Do empty milliliters insert 250 from a mug?
No. Both fields need values before you get 9.9 g. An example fills 250 ml after you click the button. An empty field does not start on its own.
How is this different from a cup of milk to mass?
Here 0.789 is ethanol from the percent: 250 ml at 5% is about 9.9 g. There 255 g is milk in a 250 ml cup. Different substance, different page.
Does the result replace a doctor limit or a driving rule?
No. It is an estimate from milliliters and a label, for example 1.0 unit from 250 ml at 5%. Blood alcohol, time, and body mass stay out.
What do 175 ml at 12% and 50 ml at 40% give?
About 16.6 g and 1.7 units, and 15.8 g and 1.6. 175 × 0.12 × 0.789 = 16.569 g, and 50 × 0.40 × 0.789 = 15.78 g.
Does a comma in 4.5% work like a period?
Yes. 4.5 and 4,5 are the same strength. 330 ml at 4.5% is about 11.7 g and 1.2 units.
Knowledge sources
The kitchen converter multiplies the measures you type. USDA publishes food weights and composition.
Page updated in 2026.