Alcohol units and calories calculator
A UK unit is 10 ml of pure alcohol, and you can work out the units in any drink from its volume and strength. FitCalcs also shows the calories, because pure alcohol carries about 7 calories per gram, which is why drinks add up fast. Pick a common drink or set your own, and see how your total compares to the NHS low-risk guideline of 14 units a week. This is general information, not medical advice.
How this is worked out
A UK unit is 10 ml (8 g) of pure alcohol. The unit count comes straight from volume and strength:
units = (ml x ABV%) ÷ 1000
calories = grams of alcohol x 7
grams = units x 8; pure alcohol is about 7 kcal per gram
The NHS low-risk guideline is no more than 14 units a week for both men and women, spread over three or more days. The calorie figure counts the alcohol only; mixers, sugar and the drink itself add more.
Informational only, not medical advice. If you are worried about your drinking, speak to a GP or Drinkaware. Editorially reviewed by FitCalcs, with each figure citing its source.
Calculators and Data Desk, FitCalcs
FitCalcs' editorial desk builds and documents the calculators, citing the underlying equation and the UK dataset behind every number. Health-related tools are editorially reviewed, with figures cited to named UK sources.
Last reviewed: 12 June 2026