Patients are often surprised to learn how much alcohol they consume when they drink. The following table lists some common beverages and shows how to compute both the amount of alcohol contained in the drink and the number of "standard drinks" to which this is equivalent.

	One 12-ounce can of beer, containing 5% alcohol	12 x 0.05 = 0.60 = 1 standard drink
	One 5-ounce glass of wine, containing 12% alcohol	5 x 0.12 = 0.60 = 1 standard drink
	One 4-ounce glass of fortified wine, containing 15% alcohol	4 x 0.15 = 0.60 = 1 standard drink
	One and a half-ounce hard liquor or spirits, containing 40% alcohol	1.5 x 0.40 = 0.60 = 1 standard drink
	One 12-ounce bottle of wine cooler, containing 5% alcohol	12 x 0.05 = 0.60 = 1 standard drink
	One 16-ounce can of malt liquor, containing 8% alcohol	16 x 0.08 = 1.28 = 2 standard drinks
	One 40-ounce can of malt liquor, containing 8% alcohol	40 x 0.08 = 3.20 = 5.33 standard drinks
	One Colt 45, 40-ounce bottle of beer, containing 6% alcohol	40 x 0.06 = 2.40 = 4.00 standard drinks
	One Margarita bar drink (contains 1.5 oz tequila and other spirits)	1.5 x 0.40 = 0.60 = 1 standard drink
	One Long Island Ice Tea bar drink (contains 2.25 oz)	2.25 x 0.40 = 0.90 = 1.5 standard drinks
	One Cosmopolitan bar drink (contains 1.5 oz spirits)	1.5 x 0.40 = 0.60 = 1 standard drink

To use this online calculator, enter the size of the drink (in ounce) and select the concentration in alcohol, then press the "Calculate" button to find the results

Size of drink (volume in ounces):
Alcohol concentration: Pick by known value or type of beverage 5% - regular beer 6% - some beers (e.g., Colt 45) 8% - malt liquor 12% - regular wine 15% - fortified wine 40% - distilled spirits, in mixed drinks or shots
ounces of alcohol are contained in this drink, which is the equivalent of standard drinks.