Part of our Asian Flush & Alcohol guide library.
Short answer: Most table wine is about 12% alcohol by volume, and in the U.S. it can legally range up to 14%; dessert and fortified wines such as port and sherry run from just over 14% up to 24%. A 5-ounce glass of 12% wine holds about 0.6 fluid ounces (14 grams) of pure alcohol, which is one U.S. standard drink, the same as a 12-ounce 5% beer or a 1.5-ounce shot of 40% liquor. A standard 750 mL bottle of 12% wine holds about 5 standard drinks, and about 6 if the wine is 14.5%, by our calculation. Real pours are often bigger than 5 ounces.
Wine labels list alcohol as a percentage, but that number does not tell you how much you are actually drinking per glass or per bottle. Here is how much alcohol is in a glass, a bottle and different types of wine, how wine compares with beer and liquor, a simple way to count drinks, and why the label is only an estimate.
What you'll learn
- How much alcohol is in a typical glass and bottle of wine
- How red, white, rosé, sparkling and dessert wines compare
- How wine compares with beer, vodka and shots
- How to work out standard drinks from any wine label
- Why real-world pours and labels can be off
How much alcohol is in wine?
Most table wine is about 12% alcohol by volume (ABV), meaning 12% of the liquid is pure alcohol (NIAAA). Under U.S. rules, "table wine" can be up to 14% ABV, while dessert wine is over 14% and up to 24% (27 CFR 4.21). Individual wines vary, so check the label on your bottle.
In the U.S., one standard drink is any drink with about 0.6 fluid ounces, or 14 grams, of pure alcohol (NIAAA). That is the yardstick used below.
How much alcohol is in a glass of wine?
A 5-ounce glass of 12% wine has about 0.6 fluid ounces (14 grams) of alcohol, or one standard drink (NIAAA). Stronger wine or a bigger pour means more. By our calculation:
| Glass | Wine strength | Pure alcohol | Standard drinks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 oz | 12% | 0.6 fl oz | 1.0 |
| 5 oz | 14.5% | About 0.73 fl oz | About 1.2 |
| 6 oz | 13.5% | About 0.81 fl oz | About 1.4 |
| 8 oz | 14% | About 1.1 fl oz | About 1.9 |
| 3.5 oz dessert wine | 17% | About 0.6 fl oz | About 1.0 |
The 17% example matches NIAAA, which counts 3 to 4 ounces of fortified wine such as sherry or port as one standard drink (NIAAA).
How much alcohol is in a bottle of wine?
A standard 750 mL bottle (about 25.4 fluid ounces) of 12% wine holds about 3 fluid ounces of pure alcohol, or about 5 standard drinks, by our calculation using the NIAAA definition (NIAAA). A 14.5% wine is about 6 standard drinks per bottle, and a lighter 9% wine about 4. Half a bottle (375 mL) of 12% wine is about 2.5 standard drinks.
For context, NIAAA defines binge drinking as a pattern that brings blood alcohol to 0.08% or higher, which for a typical adult means about 5 or more drinks for men or 4 or more for women in about two hours (NIAAA). A whole bottle shared between two people over dinner is about 2.5 standard drinks each.
How much alcohol is in red wine vs white wine?
Red and white wine have similar amounts of alcohol on average; the bigger differences are between individual wines. In USDA data, a 5-ounce glass of red table wine has about 15.6 grams of alcohol and white about 15.1 grams, by our calculation from the per-100-gram values (USDA FoodData Central):
| Wine (USDA average) | Serving | Alcohol | Standard drinks | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red table wine | 5 oz (147 g) | About 15.6 g | About 1.1 | About 125 |
| White table wine | 5 oz (147 g) | About 15.1 g | About 1.1 | About 121 |
| Rosé | 5 oz (about 152 g) | About 14.5 g | About 1.0 | About 126 |
| "Light" wine | 5 oz (148 g) | About 9.5 g | About 0.7 | About 73 |
| Sweet dessert wine | 3.5 oz (103 g) | About 15.8 g | About 1.1 | About 165 |
| Non-alcoholic wine | 5 oz (about 145 g) | 0 g | 0 | About 9 |
All values are by our calculation from USDA per-100-gram figures and serving weights. These are averages from older laboratory data; many modern bottles are stronger, so check the label. A 2008 study of bars and restaurants also found no difference in alcohol between red and white wine pours (Kerr et al., 2008).
How much alcohol is in champagne and sparkling wine?
Most sparkling wine falls in the same range as table wine, so check the label; a 5-ounce flute of 12% sparkling wine is one standard drink, by our calculation (NIAAA). U.S. rules define champagne as a type of sparkling "light" wine, the same category limited to 14% ABV (27 CFR 4.21).
Is there more alcohol in wine or beer?
Per ounce, wine has more alcohol, but a standard glass of wine and a standard beer contain the same amount. A 5-ounce glass of 12% wine and a 12-ounce can of 5% beer each have about 14 grams of alcohol (NIAAA). Because a bottle of wine holds about 5 standard drinks, it is roughly the same as five 12-ounce 5% beers, by our calculation. Malt liquor and hard seltzers around 7% count as one drink at 8 to 10 ounces (NIAAA).
How does wine compare with vodka or a shot?
A 5-ounce glass of 12% wine has about the same alcohol as a 1.5-ounce shot of 40% vodka, gin, rum, tequila or whiskey: one standard drink each (NIAAA). Liquor is more than three times as concentrated as table wine, so the serving is much smaller.
How do you calculate standard drinks in wine?
Multiply the ounces you pour by the alcohol percentage, then divide by 0.6. This follows from the NIAAA definition of a standard drink as 0.6 fluid ounces of pure alcohol (NIAAA).
- Formula: ounces × ABV (as a decimal) ÷ 0.6 = standard drinks.
- Example: a 6-ounce pour of 13.5% wine: 6 × 0.135 ÷ 0.6 = about 1.4 standard drinks.
- Bottle: 25.4 ounces × ABV ÷ 0.6. At 13% that is about 5.5 standard drinks.
Our practical take: pour once into a measuring cup to see what 5 ounces looks like in your usual glass. Large wine glasses can make a generous pour look small.
Why is a real glass of wine often more than one drink?
Because real pours are usually bigger than 5 ounces, and the wine is often stronger than 12%. In a study of 80 bars and restaurants in Northern California, the average glass of wine had 43% more alcohol than a standard drink (Kerr et al., 2008). When 310 U.S. drinkers measured the wine they usually pour at home, it averaged 0.66 ounces of alcohol, above the 0.6-ounce standard (Kerr et al., 2005), and in a 28-day diary study, wine drinks averaged 1.19 standard drinks (Greenfield et al., 2014).
NIAAA itself notes that standard drink amounts may not match customary serving sizes (NIAAA).
How accurate is the alcohol percentage on a wine label?
It is close, but it is allowed to be off. For wine at 14% ABV or less, U.S. rules allow the actual alcohol to be 1.5 percentage points above or below the label; for wine over 14%, the tolerance is 1 point (27 CFR 4.36). So a bottle labeled 13% could legally be anywhere from 11.5% to 14.5%. Wine at 14% or less can even skip a number if it is labeled "table wine" or "light wine" (TTB). An economic analysis also described the alcohol content of wine as high and rising, and examined why some labels may not match what is in the bottle (Alston et al., 2015).
Who should be careful with wine?
Some people should not drink at all, and others should check with a provider first.
- Do not drink if you are pregnant, under the legal drinking age, driving, or taking medication that interacts with alcohol.
- If your face turns red after a glass, that flush is a sign your body is slow to clear acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol; see why some people get Asian flush and how to prevent Asian flush.
- If you take medication, have a medical condition, or are concerned about your drinking, talk with your health care provider.
To see how long a few glasses stay with you, see how long does alcohol stay in your system?.
Common myths (quick reality check)
Myth: A glass of wine is always one drink. Reality: Only a 5-ounce glass of 12% wine is one standard drink (NIAAA); restaurant pours averaged 43% more alcohol than that (Kerr et al., 2008).
Myth: Red wine has much more alcohol than white. Reality: USDA averages are nearly the same, about 15.6 g vs 15.1 g per 5-ounce glass by our calculation (USDA FoodData Central), and restaurant pours did not differ (Kerr et al., 2008).
Myth: Wine is milder than beer, so it counts for less. Reality: A standard glass of wine and a standard beer have the same 14 grams of alcohol (NIAAA).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How much alcohol is in wine?
Most table wine is about 12% alcohol by volume, and U.S. table wine can be up to 14%. Dessert and fortified wines run from just over 14% up to 24%.
How much alcohol is in a glass of wine?
A 5-ounce glass of 12% wine has about 0.6 fluid ounces (14 grams) of alcohol, one U.S. standard drink. A 5-ounce glass of 14.5% wine is about 1.2 drinks.
How many standard drinks are in a bottle of wine?
About 5 in a 750 mL bottle of 12% wine and about 6 at 14.5%, by our calculation using the NIAAA standard drink.
Is a glass of wine stronger than a beer?
No. A 5-ounce glass of 12% wine and a 12-ounce 5% beer each contain about 14 grams of alcohol.
Is a glass of wine the same as a shot of vodka?
Yes, roughly. A 5-ounce glass of 12% wine and a 1.5-ounce shot of 40% vodka are each one standard drink.
Does red wine have more alcohol than white wine?
Not on average. USDA data show about 15.6 grams in a 5-ounce glass of red and 15.1 grams in white, by our calculation. Individual wines vary more than color does.
How accurate is the alcohol percentage on a wine label?
U.S. rules allow a tolerance of 1.5 percentage points for wine at 14% or less and 1 point above 14%, so a 13% label could mean 11.5% to 14.5%.
How much alcohol is in non-alcoholic wine?
USDA lists 0 grams of alcohol for non-alcoholic wine. Check the label of the specific product for its alcohol content.
Related guides
- How long does alcohol stay in your system?
- Which alcohol gives the least hangover?
- Why does red wine give me a headache?
- Does alcohol dehydrate you?
- Alcohol tolerance: what it is and how it changes
- Is alcohol a stimulant or a depressant?
- Why do Asians get Asian flush?
- How to prevent Asian flush
- Is alcohol a blood thinner?
Disclaimer and when to seek help
This article is for general education and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not drink if you are pregnant, under the legal drinking age, driving, or taking medication that interacts with alcohol. Talk to your health care provider if you take medication, have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are concerned about your drinking. Call 911 if someone who has been drinking is confused, vomiting, has slow or irregular breathing, or cannot be woken.
References
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. "What Is A Standard Drink?" Updated December 2025.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. "Drinking Levels Defined"
- Code of Federal Regulations, Title 27. § 4.21 The standards of identity and § 4.36 Alcoholic content.
- Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. "Wine Labeling: Alcohol Content"
- U.S. Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central (SR Legacy): wine, table, red (FDC 173190); wine, table, white (FDC 174837); wine, rose (FDC 171908); wine, light (FDC 169071); wine, dessert, sweet (FDC 173176); wine, non-alcoholic (FDC 174157).
- Kerr WC, Patterson D, Koenen MA, Greenfield TK. "Alcohol content variation of bar and restaurant drinks in Northern California." Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2008;32(9):1623-1629. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2008.00741.x
- Kerr WC, Greenfield TK, Tujague J, Brown SE. "A drink is a drink? Variation in the amount of alcohol contained in beer, wine and spirits drinks in a US methodological sample." Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2005;29(11):2015-2021. doi:10.1097/01.alc.0000187596.92804.bd
- Greenfield TK, Patterson D, Kerr WC. "Adjustments for drink size and ethanol content: new results from a self-report diary and transdermal sensor validation study." Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2014;38(12):3060-3067. doi:10.1111/acer.12589
- Alston JM, Fuller KB, Lapsley JT, Soleas G, Tumber KP. "Splendide Mendax: false label claims about high and rising alcohol content of wine." Journal of Wine Economics, 2015;10(3):275-313. doi:10.1017/jwe.2015.33
