What is the alcohol percentage of popular beers? Bud Light is 4.2%, Guinness Draught is about 4.2%, Corona Extra is about 4.5%, Heineken is 5%, and Stella Artois is 5% in the US and about 4.6% in the UK. Most mainstream lagers sit between 4% and 5% ABV.
Brand strength can differ by country and can change over time, so the label on your can or bottle always wins. This guide lists common brands with their US standard drinks per 12 oz and UK units per pint, then shows how to work it out for any beer.
Beer alcohol percentage by brand
| Beer | Typical ABV | US standard drinks per 12 oz | UK units per 568 ml pint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bud Light | 4.2% | 0.84 | 2.4 |
| Coors Light | 4.2% | 0.84 | 2.4 |
| Miller Lite | 4.2% | 0.84 | 2.4 |
| Michelob Ultra | about 4.2% | 0.84 | 2.4 |
| Guinness Draught | about 4.2% | 0.84 | 2.4 |
| Modelo Especial | 4.4% | 0.88 | 2.5 |
| Corona Extra | 4.5 to 4.6% | 0.90 to 0.92 | 2.6 |
| Stella Artois (UK) | about 4.6% | 0.92 | 2.6 |
| Budweiser | 5.0% | 1.00 | 2.8 |
| Heineken | 5.0% | 1.00 | 2.8 |
| Stella Artois (US) | 5.0% | 1.00 | 2.8 |
| Guinness Extra Stout (US) | 5.6% | 1.12 | 3.2 |
| Guinness Foreign Extra Stout | 7.5% | 1.50 | 4.3 |
Figures are typical strengths from published product listings, checked in November 2026. This site is not affiliated with any of these brands. Check the label for the product in your hand.
Bud Light alcohol percentage
Bud Light is 4.2% ABV. A 12 oz can contains 0.84 US standard drinks, so it takes about six cans to reach five standard drinks. A 16 oz can is 1.12 standard drinks, and a 24 oz can is 1.68. "Light" here mostly describes calories and carbohydrates, as the alcohol difference from a 5% beer is modest.
Guinness alcohol percentage
Guinness Draught, the familiar nitrogenated pint, is about 4.2% ABV, and regional versions usually fall between 4.1% and 4.3%. It looks heavy but is weaker than most premium lagers. Other Guinness beers are much stronger: Extra Stout is 5.6% in the US, and Foreign Extra Stout is 7.5%.
How many units are in a pint of Guinness? At 4.2%, a 568 ml pint contains 568 × 4.2 ÷ 1,000 = 2.4 UK units. For more pint sizes and strengths, see units in a pint of beer.
Corona alcohol percentage
Corona Extra is listed at about 4.5% to 4.6% ABV, depending on the market and source. A 12 oz bottle contains about 0.9 US standard drinks, and a 330 ml bottle contains about 1.5 UK units. Corona Light and other variations differ, so check the label.
Heineken alcohol percentage
Heineken's standard lager is 5% ABV. A 12 oz bottle is exactly one US standard drink, and a 330 ml bottle is 1.65 UK units. Heineken 0.0 is a separate alcohol-free product at no more than 0.05%.
Stella Artois alcohol percentage
Stella Artois is 5% ABV in the US and has been sold at about 4.6% in the UK. A UK pint at 4.6% contains 2.6 units, while a pint-sized pour at 5% contains 2.8 units. This is a good example of why the same brand name does not always guarantee the same strength.
The formula for any beer
Brand tables only go so far. Any beer's alcohol can be worked out from its label.
US standard drinks = fluid ounces × ABV (as a decimal) ÷ 0.6
UK units = ml × ABV ÷ 1,000
Example 1: a 12 oz Bud Light at 4.2%
12 × 0.042 = 0.504 oz of pure alcohol, and 0.504 ÷ 0.6 = 0.84 standard drinks
Example 2: a pint of 4.6% lager
568 × 4.6 ÷ 1,000 = 2.6 units
Example 3: a 16 oz craft IPA at 7%
16 × 0.07 = 1.12 oz of pure alcohol, and 1.12 ÷ 0.6 = 1.87 standard drinks
Enter any beer into the standard drink calculator or the alcohol units calculator. For beer strength alongside wine and spirits, see the alcohol percentage chart.
Why a small ABV difference matters
Half a percentage point looks trivial on a single beer. Over a week, it can add up:
- Six 12 oz beers at 4.2% contain about 5 standard drinks.
- Six 12 oz beers at 5% contain 6 standard drinks.
- Six 12 oz beers at 7% contain 8.4 standard drinks.
Size has a bigger effect than brand. A 24 oz can of a 5% beer is two standard drinks, which is the same as two regular cans. Logging the actual size and ABV is more accurate than counting "beers". [Alcohol Tracker°](/) does this on iPhone and Apple Watch, and keeps a weekly total in UK units or standard drinks.
ABV figures do not measure impairment. Never use a beer count or a low ABV to decide whether you can drive. If you have been drinking, arrange a sober lift, a taxi, or public transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of alcohol is in Bud Light?
Bud Light is 4.2% ABV. A 12 oz can contains 0.84 US standard drinks.
Is Guinness stronger than regular beer?
No. Guinness Draught is about 4.2% ABV, lower than a 5% lager such as Heineken or Budweiser. Foreign Extra Stout is much stronger, at 7.5%.
What is the alcohol percentage of Corona?
Corona Extra is about 4.5% to 4.6% ABV. A 12 oz bottle contains about 0.9 US standard drinks.
Is Heineken 5 percent?
Yes. Standard Heineken lager is 5% ABV. Heineken 0.0 is a separate alcohol-free product.
Why does the same beer have different ABV in different countries?
Brewers can adjust a beer for a local market, including its tax rules and consumer tastes, so a brand can be sold at different strengths. The label on the product you are drinking is the most reliable guide.
The quick answer
Most popular beers are between 4% and 5% ABV. Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite, and Guinness Draught are about 4.2%, Corona Extra is about 4.5%, and Heineken and Budweiser are 5%. Stella Artois is 5% in the US and about 4.6% in the UK. Check the label, then multiply volume by ABV to get the real total.
Sources: NIAAA: What is a standard drink?, CDC: About standard drink sizes, and NHS alcohol units. Brand strengths are from published product listings and can change, so check the label.
Keep exploring
Use the calculator or continue with a related guide:
Put the guide into practice
Keep a clearer drink diary.
Track units, standard drinks, cost, calories, dry days and estimated BAC on iPhone and Apple Watch.
