How many units are in a bottle of rum? A standard 70cl bottle of rum at 37.5% ABV contains 26.25 UK units, and at 40% ABV it contains 28 units. Spiced rum spirit drinks at 35% contain about 24.5 units, while a 70cl bottle of overproof rum at 63% contains about 44 units.
Rum covers a wider range of strengths than most spirits, from lighter spiced spirit drinks to overproof bottles at more than 60%. This guide gives units by bottle size and style, then covers singles, doubles, and rum and coke.
How many units are in a bottle of rum, by size?
In the UK, one unit is 10 ml or 8 grams of pure alcohol.
| Bottle | Volume | 35% ABV | 37.5% ABV | 40% ABV | 63% ABV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miniature | 5cl (50 ml) | 1.8 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 3.2 |
| Quarter bottle | 20cl (200 ml) | 7.0 | 7.5 | 8.0 | 12.6 |
| Half bottle | 35cl (350 ml) | 12.3 | 13.1 | 14.0 | 22.1 |
| Standard bottle | 70cl (700 ml) | 24.5 | 26.3 | 28.0 | 44.1 |
| Litre bottle | 1 L (1,000 ml) | 35.0 | 37.5 | 40.0 | 63.0 |
How many units are in 70cl of rum?
A 70cl bottle contains 24.5 units at 35%, 26.25 units at 37.5%, 28 units at 40%, and 44.1 units at 63%. The label ABV is the only reliable guide, because two bottles that look alike can differ by nearly 20 units.
Rum strength by style
Products sold as rum in the UK and EU must be at least 37.5% ABV. Many popular "spiced" products are bottled below that and labelled as a spirit drink rather than rum.
| Style | Typical ABV | Units per 70cl |
|---|---|---|
| Spiced spirit drink | 30%–35% | 21.0–24.5 |
| White or light rum | 37.5%–40% | 26.3–28.0 |
| Dark or golden rum | 37.5%–40% | 26.3–28.0 |
| Premium aged rum | 40%–46% | 28.0–32.2 |
| Navy or high-strength rum | 54%–57% | 37.8–39.9 |
| Overproof rum | 63%+ | 44.1+ |
Overproof rum is easy to under-count. A single 25 ml measure at 63% contains 1.6 units, which is more than a 35 ml measure of standard 40% rum.
How many units are in a rum and coke?
Cola, ginger beer, and juice add no alcohol, so the units come only from the rum.
| Drink | Rum | 37.5% ABV | 40% ABV | 63% ABV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single (25 ml) | 25 ml | 0.9 | 1.0 | 1.6 |
| Single (35 ml) | 35 ml | 1.3 | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| Double (50 ml) | 50 ml | 1.9 | 2.0 | 3.2 |
| Double (70 ml) | 70 ml | 2.6 | 2.8 | 4.4 |
Rum-based cocktails often contain more than one measure. A mojito usually has 50 ml of rum, so about 2 units at 40%. A punch or a tiki drink can combine several rums, sometimes including an overproof float. To count those, add the units from each spirit, or follow how to calculate the ABV of a cocktail.
The rum units formula
For any bottle or measure:
units = volume in ml × ABV ÷ 1,000
Example 1: a 70cl bottle of spiced spirit drink at 35%
700 × 35 ÷ 1,000 = 24.5 units
Example 2: a 25 ml measure of overproof rum at 63%
25 × 63 ÷ 1,000 = 1.575, or about 1.6 units
Example 3: a 1 litre bottle of dark rum at 40%
1,000 × 40 ÷ 1,000 = 40 units
Use the alcohol units calculator to check any label quickly. For US measures, a 1.5 oz shot of 40% rum is one US standard drink, and the standard drink calculator handles other pours.
How a bottle of rum fits into the weekly guideline
The UK Chief Medical Officers advise not drinking more than 14 units a week on a regular basis, spread over three or more days, to keep health risks low.
| Amount of rum (40%) | Units | Share of 14-unit guideline |
|---|---|---|
| One single (25 ml) | 1.0 | 7% |
| One double (50 ml) | 2.0 | 14% |
| A 35cl half bottle | 14.0 | 100% |
| A 70cl bottle | 28.0 | 200% |
A 70cl bottle shared over a week is still twice the guideline for one person. If you want to cut back, see practical ways to reduce alcohol intake. For shot counts rather than units, see how many shots are in a bottle.
Units do not tell you whether you are impaired. Never use a units or bottle calculation to decide whether you can drive.
Track your rum by measure
Logging each drink as you pour it, with its millilitres and ABV, is more accurate than estimating at the end of the night. That matters with rum because strength varies so much between bottles.
Alcohol Tracker° keeps a weekly units total from each drink you log. You can [see Alcohol Tracker° for iPhone and Apple Watch](/) if you want a simpler way to keep count.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many units are in a 70cl bottle of rum?
A 70cl bottle contains 26.25 units at 37.5% ABV and 28 units at 40% ABV. Spiced spirit drinks at 35% contain 24.5 units, and overproof rum at 63% contains about 44 units.
How many units are in a bottle of spiced rum?
Many spiced products are 35% ABV, giving 24.5 units per 70cl. Some spiced rums are 37.5% to 40%, giving 26.25 to 28 units. Check the label.
How many units are in a single rum and coke?
A 25 ml single of 40% rum contains 1 unit. A 35 ml single contains 1.4 units. The cola adds no alcohol.
How many units are in a litre of rum?
A 1 litre bottle contains 37.5 units at 37.5%, 40 units at 40%, and 63 units at 63% ABV.
Is overproof rum more dangerous?
Overproof rum contains more alcohol in each measure, so the same pour delivers far more units. A 25 ml measure at 63% is about 1.6 units. It is easy to drink more alcohol than intended, so measure carefully and count each pour.
The quick answer
How many units are in a bottle of rum? A 70cl bottle at 37.5% contains 26.25 units and at 40% contains 28. Spiced spirit drinks at 35% contain 24.5 units, and overproof rum at 63% contains about 44. A 25 ml single at 40% is 1 unit.
Sources: NHS alcohol units, UK Chief Medical Officers' low risk drinking guidelines, NIAAA: What is a standard drink?, and EU spirit drinks regulation 2019/787.
Keep exploring
Use the calculator or continue with a related guide:
Put the guide into practice
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