About
ResponsibleDrinking.ca is a Canadian informational website and initiative created by Spirits Canada, the national trade association that represents the distilled spirits sector across the country.
The purpose of this website is to offer informational resources on the encouragement and practice of responsible and moderate alcohol consumption, along with widely supported, evidence-based information on alcohol and health.
We encourage Canadians to consult with their qualified healthcare professional to help make informed choices based on their individual circumstances when it comes to alcohol consumption. We also consistently advocate against drinking in situations where alcohol should not be consumed, and for some individuals: the right choice may indeed be not to drink at all.
Informational Use Only
All materials and information provided on ResponsibleDrinking.ca are for informational purposes only. They are not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Canadians are encouraged to consult qualified healthcare professionals for guidance tailored to their personal health needs or circumstances.
Limitation of Liability
Spirits Canada expressly disclaims all liability for any actions taken or not taken, based on the information presented on this website, as well as any information that may be absent from it.
Recourse
If you are dissatisfied with ResponsibleDrinking.ca or with any of its terms, your sole exclusive remedy is to discontinue use of the website.
Updated: 03/05/2026
What is a Standard Drink?
Knowing how to calculate the number of standard drinks per container is an important practice of responsible drinking, because not all containers have the same alcohol percentage, or the same volume.
A standard drink is a measure of how much pure alcohol you are drinking. It varies based on the concentration of alcohol in a beverage. In Canada, a standard drink is 17.05 millilitres or 13.45 grams of pure alcohol. This is the equivalent of:
- A bottle of beer (12 oz., 341 ml, 5% alcohol)
- A bottle of cider (12 oz., 341 ml, 5% alcohol)
- A ready-to-drink can (12oz., 341 ml, 5% alcohol)
- A glass of wine (5 oz., 142 ml, 12% alcohol)
- A shot glass of spirits (1.5 oz., 43 ml, 40% alcohol)
Therefore, there is no beverage of moderation, only the practice of moderation.
How to use the calculator
Figuring out how many standard drinks are in your beverage is simple. Locate these two pieces of information on your beverage container:
- The size of the container (usually in ounces or mL)
- The alcohol percentage (ABV) — sometimes listed as “proof”
This calculator works for distilled spirits, wine, beer, wine, or ready-to-drink beverages.
Updated On: 10/23/2026