Alcohol measurements

Alcohol measurements are units of measurement for determining amounts of beverage alcohol.

Beer measures

Full and half pint beer glasses

Name	US customary units	Imperial units	Metric units (approx.)	Notes
nip		6.66 imp oz	189.42 mL	​^1⁄3 of an Imperial pint. Strong ale and Barley wine were usually bottled in nips[1] Metric measurement glasses and containers usually round up to 190 ml (6.7 imp. oz.) or 200 ml (7 imp. oz.).
small (US)	8 US fl oz		236.59 mL	​^1⁄2 US pint.
small (EU)	9.29 US fl oz	9.67 imp fl oz	275 mL
half (imp.)	9.6 US fl oz	10 imp oz	284.13 mL	​^1⁄2 Imperial pint. Also called a "glass" in the UK and Ireland. Metric-measure glasses usually round down to 280 mL or up to 285 ml.
bottle (EU)	11.15 US fl oz	11.61 imp oz	330 mL	The Standard International Bottle. ​^1⁄3 Liter. Based on the long-necked 355 mL American standard bottle.
stubby (imp.)	11.53 US fl oz	12 imp fl oz	341 mL	​^3⁄5 of an imperial pint. A short-necked, thick-walled beer bottle commonly found in Canada, Australia, and South Africa. It was rounded down to 340 ml after metrication. It has been replaced by the EU standard long-necked 330 mL bottle.
bottle (US)	12 US fl oz	-	355 mL	​^3⁄4 US pint. American breweries fluctuated between 11 and 13 ounces before gradually standardizing on a median 12 ounces after World War 2. The American Twelfth (10.66 US oz. [315-ml], or ​^1⁄12 a US gallon), American Commercial Pint (12.8 US fl. oz. [378-ml], or ​^1⁄10 a US gallon) / British Reputed Pint (13.33 imp. oz. [378 ml], or ​^1⁄12) an Imperial gallon), and Canadian "stubby" bottle (12 imp. oz. [341 ml]) may have been factors.
large (US)	16 US fl oz		473.18 mL	1 US pint
pint (imp.)		1 imp pt	568.26 mL	Beer sales in Britain and the Commonwealths were based on the imperial pint. Imperial-measure glasses were rounded down to 568 ml and metric-measure glasses usually round up to 570 mL. Beer bottles in the UK rounded down to 550 mL after standard metrication in 1995. This was later changed to 500 ml.
Sixth (US)	22 US fl oz	1.14 imp pt	651 mL	​^1⁄6 US gallon, rounded up from 21.3 US fl oz. Also called a "bomber" or a "double deuce" (from the two #2s, or "deuces", in its volume). Mostly replaced by the 40 US fl oz bottle by the late 1980s, but still used by some breweries for beer and malt liquor. Metric measure containers are rounded down to 650 ml. The US 23-ounce beer glass holds a Sixth of beer, plus the head.
tallboy	24 US fl oz	1.249 imp pt	710 mL	A can containing ​^3⁄4 US fluid quarts. Also called a "7-10" in Canada.
flagon	32 US fl oz	1.66 imp pt	946.35 mL	1 US quart.
40 (imp.)		40 imp fl oz	1.13 liters (L)	2 imp pints, 1 imp quart, or a quarter of an imperial gallon.
40 (US)	40 US fl oz	2.08 imp pt	1.18 L	2.5 US liquid pints. Might have been inspired by the Canadian 40 imp oz bottle. Malt liquor is often bottled in "40's"
Third (US)	42 US fl oz	-	1.242 L	​^1⁄3 US gallon. Mostly replaced by the 40 US fl oz bottle by the late 1980s.
small pitcher (US)	32 US fl oz		1.77 L	2 US pints. The 32 oz pitcher is usually used with large 16 oz. beer glasses (2 glasses per pitcher).
medium pitcher (US)	48 US fl oz		1.77 L	3 US pints. The 48 oz pitcher is usually used with large 16 oz. beer glasses (3 glasses per pitcher).
large pitcher (US)	60 US fl oz		1.77 L	3.75 US pints. The 60 oz pitcher is usually used with medium 12 oz. beer glasses (5 glasses per pitcher).
growler	64 US fl oz		1.89 L	​^1⁄2 US gallon.
Darwin stubby		80 imp fl oz	2.273 L	Standard Australian bottle size, equal to half of an Imperial gallon. Later rounded off to 2.25 L (79.18 imp oz) after metrication. It's rounded down further to 2 L (70.39 imp oz) in states with strict drinking laws.
bucket (UK)		4 imp gal	18.18 L	Obsolete measure.
pin		4.5 imp gal	20.46 L
Sixtel Keg	5.16 US gal.	-	19.53 L	Sixth of a US beer barrel
pony keg	7.75 US gal	-	29.33 L	Quarter of a US Beer barrel
anker (US)	10 US gal	8.33 imp gal	37.85 L	An obsolete Dutch measurement, originally used for a small cask of wine or brandy. It was brought to the New World by the former Dutch colony of Nieuw Amsterdam (renamed to New York City by the English in 1664). It was adopted by Colonial New York and New Jersey as a standard measure and was retained by America after independence. It was also used in Europe, where it varied in capacity from 9 to 11 US gallons.
firkin		9 imp gal	40.91 L	2 pins
keg	15.5 US gal		58.67 L	​^1⁄2 US beer barrel.
kilderkin		18 imp gal	81.83 L	2 firkins
US barrel	31 US gal[2]		117.35 L	2 kegs
UK barrel		36 imp gal	163.66 L	2 kilderkins
hogshead		54 imp gal	245.49 L	6 firkins or 3 kilderkins
puncheon		72 imp gal	327.32 L	2 barrels
butt		108 imp gal	490.98 L	2 hogsheads or 3 barrels
tun		216 imp gal	981.96 L	2 butts or 3 puncheons.

Liquor measurements

The following table lists common sizes for liquors and spirits.[3][4]

Name	US customary units	Imperial units	English units	Metric units (direct conversion)	Metric units (legal/convention)	Notes
Hint	​^1⁄128 tsp[5]
Drop	​^1⁄64 tsp[5]
Dash	​^1⁄8 tsp[5]
Bartender's Teaspoon (U.S.) or Splash[5]	​^1⁄8 fl oz[6]
Count	0.5 US fl oz			14.8 mL	15 mL	Using calibrated pour spouts that restrict flow to 0.5 fl oz/s
Bartender's Tablespoon (U.S.)	​^3⁄8 US fl oz[6]
Mouthful (UK)	-	-	1/2 Wine oz.	14.78 mL	15 mL	1/32 of a Wine Pint. Obsolete with the introduction of Imperial measures in 1826.
​^1⁄6 Gill (Imp.)		​^5⁄6 imp fl oz		23.7 mL	25 mL	Legal serving of spirits (gin, rum, vodka and whisky) defined in 1963 Weights and Measures Act (1963-1984)
Shot (UK)					25 mL or 35 mL	Legal serving of spirits (gin, rum, vodka and whisky) in the UK since 1985.[7]
Roquille (France)					~29.75 ml	A measure of spirits[8] in the Ancien Régime of France (before 1795), being ​^1⁄32 of a French pinte (~952.1 ml).
​^1⁄5 Gill (Scottish)		1 imp fl oz		28.4 mL	30 mL	Traditional Scottish spirits measure
Peg (India)		1 imp fl oz	-	28.4 mL	30 mL	Also called a "small peg"; a "large peg" is a double measure of 2 imperial ounces (60 ml). Traditional spirits measure on the Indian subcontinent.
​^1⁄4 Gill (Irish)		​1 ^1⁄4 imp fl oz		35.5 mL	35 ml	Traditional Irish spirits measure
Pony (U.S.)	1.0 US fl oz				30 mL	Defined as ​^1⁄2 of a jigger.[9] Was used to measure a cordial.
Pony (Eng.)	0.749 US fl. oz.	0.78 imp. fl. oz.	​^3⁄4 Wine oz.	22.18 ml	25 mL	(6 drams) May be derived from holding a "pennyworth" of beer.
Jigger (U.S.)	1.5 US fl oz			44.36 mL	45 mL	Typical size after U.S. Prohibition, but varies
Short shot (U.S.)	1.5 US fl oz			44.36 mL	45 mL	[10]^:12
Jigger (Imp.)		​^1⁄8 gill		35.52 mL	35 mL	Legal U.K. spirits measure from 1826 to 1984, for Gin, rum, vodka and whisky.
Jigger (Eng.)			1.5 imp fl oz	42.61 mL	42 mL	3 Tablespoons or 2 Ponies.
Jigger (U.S.)	2.0 US fl oz				60 mL	Before U.S. Prohibition[10]
Hooker			2.5 imp fl oz			​1 ^1⁄4 jigger[10]^:12 (5 tablespoons)
Jack (UK)		2.5 imp. oz.		71 mL	70mL	Historically equivalent to two jiggers or handfuls, or half a gill.[11][12] No longer in general use.
Snit	3.0 US fl oz			88.72 mL	90 mL	Two jiggers.
Gill (U.S.)	4.0 US fl oz			118.294 mL	120 mL	Pronounced /ˈdʒɪl/ JIL, historically equivalent to two jacks, half a cup, or a quarter pint.[11][12]
Gill (Imp.)		5.0 imp fl oz		142.065 mL	150 mL	Pronounced /ˈdʒɪl/ JIL, historically equivalent to two jacks, half a cup, or a quarter pint.[11][12] May also be an eighth of a pint (2.5 imp fl oz or 71 mL) in Scotland.
Tumbler (UK)	6.39 US fl oz	6.6 imp. oz.		189 ml	190 mL or 200 mL	A British tumbler was ​^1⁄3 of an Imperial pint.
Tumbler (US)	8 US fl oz	8.33 imp. oz		236.58 ml	235 mL	An American tumbler is ​^1⁄2 of a US fluid pint, the same size as a Cup.
Gill of Beer (UK)		10 imp fl oz		284 mL	280 mL	A gill of beer (or "glass") is equal to half an imperial pint (10 imperial fluid ounces or 280 millilitres) in parts of England.[13] It is a holdover from when spirits, wines and brandies, ale, and beer all had different standard measures of capacity.
Whiskey Barrel	53 US gallons	44 Imp. gallons			200 L	An international standard measurement for whiskey.
Whiskey Hogshead	66 US gallons	55 Imp. gallons	-	-	250 L	An international standard measurement for whiskey.
Whiskey Butt	132 US gallons	110 Imp. gallons	-	-	500 L	An international standard measurement for whiskey.

Liquor bottles

Standard Metric Liquor Containers

Name	US customary units	Imperial units	Metric units	Notes
Miniature	1.7 US fl oz	1.8 imp fl oz	50 mL	Replaced the 2 US fl oz (59 mL) US miniature-sized bottle after metrification. Typically served on airline flights. Also known as a "nip" or "shooter" in certain locales, or a “Mini” in Canada.
half pint	6.8 US fl oz	7.0 imp fl oz	200 mL	Called a media pinta in Spanish or naggin in Ireland.[14]
demi	11.8 US fl oz	12.3 imp fl oz	350 mL	A half-sized EU T2L Standard Liquor Bottle, considered a European metric "pint".
shoulder	11.8 US fl oz	12.3 imp fl oz	350 mL	A flask-style bottle with rounded shoulders. Common in Ireland; also called a 'double naggin' or a "daddy naggin"[15]
pinta	12.34 US fl oz	12.84 imp fl oz	365 mL	"Pint". An intermediate between the US and European metric "pints" used for locally produced liquor in Central America. In Costa Rica it is called a Pacha ("baby bottle").
pint	12.7 US fl oz	13.2 imp fl oz	375 mL[16]	A half-sized non-EU Standard Liquor Bottle, considered a US metric "pint". Called a mickey in Canada.
half litre	-	-	500 mL	Considered a standardized metric "pint". Common in Europe, but discontinued in the United States.
European spirit bottle	23.7 US fl oz	1 imp pt, 4.6 imp fl oz	700 mL	EU Standard Liquor Bottle used by T2L member nations to deter non-payment of duties and tariffs. Considered a European metric "quart". Common worldwide outside of the Americas and Cuba.
fifth	25.4 US fl oz	1 imp pt, 6.4 imp fl oz	750 mL	A non-EU Standard Liquor Bottle, considered a US metric "quart". Called a "two-six" or "26er" in Canada (as in 26 US fluid oz), also known as a "BOTII/Mzinga" in Kenya.
litre	33.8 US fl oz	1 imp pt, 15.2 imp fl oz	1 L	Considered a standardized metric "quart".
half gallon	59.2 US fl oz	3 imp pt, 1.6 imp fl oz	1.75 L	Also known as a "handle", due to most 1.75 L bottles having a handle. Called a "60" or "60-pounder" in Canada (as in 60 US fl oz).
Texas Mickey	101.4 US fl oz	5 imp pt, 5.5 imp fl oz	3.0 L	Called a "101" in Canada. Often seen in Canada for celebratory purposes. Usually contains vodka, rum or whisky. Comes with a small pump to dispense the liquor, as it is too heavy and unwieldy to pour.

Obsolete Pre-Metric Liquor Containers

Name	US customary units	Imperial units	Metric units	Notes
​^1⁄16 Pint (US)	1 US fl oz	1.04 imp fl oz	29.57 mL	Former size for US brandy nip bottles before metrication. Replaced by the 50 mL "metric nip".
Miniature (US)	1.5 US oz	-	44.36 mL	Former size for US miniature bottles before metrication that were based on the post-Prohibition jigger. Replaced by the 50 mL "metric nip".
​^1⁄10 Pint (US)	1.6 US fl oz	1.66 imp fl oz	47.31 mL	Former size for US nip bottles before metrication. Replaced by the 50 mL "metric nip".
​^1⁄8 Pint (US)	2 US fl oz	2.08 imp fl oz	59.14 mL	Former size for US miniature bottles before metrication that were based on the pre-Prohibition jigger. Replaced by the 50 mL "metric nip".
Twelfth (US)	11 US fl oz	-	325 ml	A twelfth (0.083) of a US Gallon, rounded up from its actual volume of 10.66 US fl oz. Formerly used for beer until it was replaced by the ​^3⁄4 Pint (12 US oz.) bottle after World War 2.
Tenth (US)	12.8 US fl oz	-	378 mL	A tenth (0.1) of a US gallon. Called a "Commercial Pint" because it was equivalent to 0.8 US fluid pints. Replaced by the 375 mL "metric pint".
Reputed Pint (UK)	-	13.3 imp oz.	378 mL	The "Reputed Pint" (​^2⁄3 Imperial pint or ​^1⁄12 Imperial gallon) was devised to split a standard gallon into twelve small bottles. Originally it was based on the British Wine gallon, which was later adopted by the United States as their standard fluid gallon. This made a Wine Gallon "Reputed Pint" equivalent to ​^2⁄3 US fluid pint (10.66 US fluid oz.), 11.09 imp. oz, or 315 mL. Although the Imperial system was introduced in 1824, bottles of ale or beer were still sold in Reputed Pints (13.3 imperial oz) but were now based on the Imperial gallon (based on the British Ale Gallon). It was later replaced by the Imperial Pint (20 imp oz / 568 ml) in the 20th century.
Sixth (US)	22 US fl oz	-	651 ml	A sixth (0.166) of a US Gallon, rounded up from its actual volume of 21.33 US fl oz. Formerly used for cheap liquor like gin and vodka. Replaced by the 500 mL "half-liter", which was dropped in 1989.
Fifth (US)	25.6 US fl oz	1 imp pt, 6.6 imp fl oz	757 mL	A fifth (0.2) of a US gallon. Called a "Commercial Quart" because it was equivalent to 0.8 US fluid quarts. Replaced by the 750 mL "metric quart".
Reputed Quart (UK)	-	26.6 imp oz.	756 mL	The "Reputed Quart" (​^2⁄3 Imperial quart, ​^1⁄6 Imperial gallon) was devised to split a standard gallon into six large bottles and was usually used for wine and liquor. Originally it was based on the British Wine gallon, which was later adopted by the United States as their standard fluid gallon. When the Imperial system was introduced in 1824, measures of wine or liquor were still sold in either Reputed Quarts (26.6 imp oz.) or Imperial Quarts (40 imp oz.). It was later replaced by the Imperial Quart (40 imp oz / 1136 ml) in the 20th century.
Quart (Imp.)	38.5 US fl oz	1 imp. quart	1.14 L	Referred to as a "40" in Canada (as in 40 Imperial ounces) and a liter in the United States. Usually replaced with liter bottles after metrication.
Half gallon (US)	64 US fl oz		1.89 L	​^1⁄2 US gallon. Replaced by the 1.75 L "metric half-gallon" in 1976.

The British Reputed Pint and Reputed Quart were used in Great Britain and throughout the Empire from the late 17th century until the early 20th century. Originally there were different standard gallons depending on the type of alcohol. That meant that the Reputed measures varied depending on which standard gallon was used. A Reputed Pint of beer was equal to 285 mL (1/2 an Ale Pint, or equivalent to 10 imperial oz. or 9.63 US oz.) and a Reputed Quart of wine was equal to 730 mL (3/4 of a Wine Quart, or 24.68 US fluid oz.). When the Imperial system was adopted in 1824, the fluid gallon was standardized on the old Ale Gallon (which had 160 fluid ounces). However, Reputed pints and quarts were still used by breweries and merchants, but measurements were now based on the Imperial system. There was still confusion about whether Reputed or Imperial measures was being used by the merchant, so eventually Imperial pints and quarts were made standard in the early 20th century.

The United States adopted the British Wine Gallon (which had 128 fluid ounces) as standard. The laws concerning the production and sale of alcohol stated that it had to be sold in portions of a gallon for tax purposes. A standard case of bottled beer, wine or liquor had to be equal to two gallons and bottles came in half-dozens and dozens rather than fourths (quarts) and eighths (pints). There would be 24 small bottles (Twelfths of a US gallon) or 12 large bottles (Sixths of a US gallon) per case. The bottles were later increased in size (Tenths and Fifths of a US gallon) to be equivalent to British Reputed Pints and Quarts, allowing them to be interchangeable for export. The American liquor industry later referred to these measures as "Commercial Pints" (Tenths) and "Commercial Quarts" (Fifths).

Wine measurements

The following table contains various measurements that are commonly applied to wine.[17]

Name	US fluid ounces (approx.)	Metric units	No. of 750 mL bottles	Notes
Quarter bottle	6.3	187.5 mL	​^1⁄4	Also known as a piccolo,[18] pony,[19] snipe[20] or split.[21] They are commonly served in packs of 4 bottles.
Chopine	8.5	250 mL	​^1⁄3	Bordeaux region. A metric half-pint.
Half bottle	12.7	375 mL	​^1⁄2	Also known as a demi.[22]
Half Litre	16.9	500 mL	​^2⁄3	Used for sweet wines like Tokays and Sauternes.
Bottle	25.4	750 mL	1	European Standard Bottle for wine and spirits.
Litre	33.8	1 L	​1 ^1⁄4	Popular size for Austrian wines
Magnum	50.7	1.5 L	2
Double Magnum	101.4	3 L	4	Bordeaux region
Jeroboam	101.4	3 L	4	Champagne region
Jeroboam	152.2	4.5 L	6	Bordeaux region
Rehoboam	152.2	4.5 L	6	Champagne and Burgundy regions
Imperial	202.9	6 L	8	Bordeaux region
Methuselah	202.9	6 L	8	Champagne and Burgundy regions
Salmanazar	304.3	9 L	12
Balthazar	405.8	12 L	16
Nebuchadnezzar	507.2	15 L	20
Melchior	608.7	18 L	24

Obsolete Pre-Metric and Metric Containers

Name	US fluid ounces (approx.)	Metric units	Notes
Half Bottle (US)	12	354 mL	Used for domestically-produced sparkling white wine in the place of the French metric 375 mL champagne punt. Rounded-down from 12.68 US fl oz (375 mL). Still wines (Red, White, and Rose) came in US pint (16 US fl. oz., or 473 mL) and Tenth (12.8 US fl.oz., or 378 mL) bottles. Replaced in 1980 with the metric 375 mL Demi Bottle for both still and sparkling wines.
Half Liter (US)	16.9	500 mL	​^2⁄3 Bottle. Was one of the eight standardized US metric bottle sizes listed on January 1, 1980, but was withdrawn on June 30, 1989. Still used in countries that sell wine in half-liters and liters.
Bottle (US)	25	739 mL	Used for domestically-produced sparkling white wine in the place of the French metric 750 mL champagne punt. Rounded down from 25.36 US fl oz (750 mL). Still wines (Red, White, and Rose) came in US quart (32 US fl oz / 946 mL) or Fifth (25.6 US fl oz / 757 mL) bottles. Replaced in 1980 with the metric 750 mL Standard Bottle for both still and sparkling wines.

References

• Schott's Original Miscellany

1. "Nipperkin". World Wide Words: Investigating the English language across the globe. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
2. 27 CFR § 25.11.
3. http://fooduniversity.com/foodu/food_c/reference/bottle_size_for_liquor.htm Liquor Bottle Size
4. "Bartending/Glossary/Table of measures and conversions". Wikibooks. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
5. eliacopoulos, lew. "Dash, Pinch, and Smidgen and other Unusual Measurements". Festibrate: Your Holiday & Seasonal Guide for Food & Lifestyle. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
6. Rowlett, Russ. "How Many? A Dictionary of Units of Measurement". University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
7. Gov.UK. "Weights and measures: the law". Official U.K. Government website. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
8. Schwarz-Bart, Simone (2015-03-02). Schwarz-Bart: Pluie et Vent sur Télumée Miracle. ISBN 9781472538642. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
9. Kappeler, George J. (1895). Modern American Drinks: How to Mix and Serve All Kinds of Cups and Drinks. p. 19.
10. Willett, Andrew (2016). Elemental Mixology. p. 8. ISBN 9781300013525. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
11. Klein, Herbert Arthur (1974). The Science of Measurement: A Historical Survey. New York: Dover Publications, Inc. p. 34. ISBN 0-486-25839-4. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
12. Singer, Charles (November 29, 1952). "Nova et Vetera - Ancient Egyptian Medicine". British Medical Journal. 2 (4795): 1201. doi:10.1136/bmj.2.4795.1201. PMC 2021913. PMID 12997700.
13. International Dictionary of Food and Cooking by Charles Gordon Sinclair, ISBN 1-57958-057-2, published by Taylor & Francis, 1998
14. MacNamee, Garreth (12 February 2015). "Sneaky Naggin: Students downing dangerous levels of spirits after new drinking trend takes hold".
15. "The naggin – An Acre of Pints". www.anacreofpints.com.
16. Elizabeth E. Epstein; Barbara S. McCrady (2009). Overcoming Alcohol Use Problems: A Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Program. Oxford University Press. p. 7.
17. http://sherlocks.com/wine-measurements-guide/ Wine Measurements Guide
18. piccolo > English
19. pony > English
20. snipe > English
21. split > English > Noun
22. demi > English > Noun

Further reading

• Mescher, Virginia. "When is a Cup Not a Cup?" (PDF). Ragged Soldier Sutlery and Vintage Volumes. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
• "How Many Shots in a Fifth"

External links

• Conversion Calculator for Units of Volume
• A Dictionary of Units of Measurement
• Measurements