How many units are in a bottle of vodka? A standard 70cl bottle at 37.5% ABV contains 26.25 UK units, which most labels round to 26.3. At 40% ABV, the same bottle contains 28 units. A 1 litre bottle holds 37.5 to 40 units.
For context, the UK Chief Medical Officers' low-risk guideline is no more than 14 units a week, spread over three or more days. A single 70cl bottle of vodka contains nearly two weeks' worth. This guide covers every common bottle size, single and double measures, and a formula you can use with any label.
How many units are in a bottle of vodka, by size?
In the UK, one unit is 10 ml or 8 grams of pure alcohol. Most standard vodka is 37.5% or 40% ABV.
| Bottle | Volume | 37.5% ABV | 40% ABV | 50% ABV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miniature | 5cl (50 ml) | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Quarter bottle | 20cl (200 ml) | 7.5 | 8.0 | 10.0 |
| Half bottle | 35cl (350 ml) | 13.1 | 14.0 | 17.5 |
| Standard bottle | 70cl (700 ml) | 26.3 | 28.0 | 35.0 |
| Litre bottle | 1 L (1,000 ml) | 37.5 | 40.0 | 50.0 |
| Large bottle | 1.5 L (1,500 ml) | 56.3 | 60.0 | 75.0 |
Notice that a 35cl half bottle at 40% contains exactly 14 units, the full weekly guideline.
How many units are in 70cl of vodka?
A 70cl bottle at 37.5% contains 26.25 units, and at 40% it contains 28 units. Premium and imported vodkas are more often 40%, while many supermarket own-brand vodkas are 37.5%. The ABV is printed on the label, and many UK bottles also print the unit count.
How many units are in a shot of vodka?
UK pubs serve spirits in 25 ml or 35 ml measures. A double is twice the single.
| Measure | 37.5% ABV | 40% ABV |
|---|---|---|
| 25 ml single | 0.9 | 1.0 |
| 35 ml single | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| 50 ml double (2 × 25 ml) | 1.9 | 2.0 |
| 70 ml double (2 × 35 ml) | 2.6 | 2.8 |
Home pours are often larger than pub measures, and a "splash" of vodka into a mixer can easily be 50 ml or more. If you drink at home, using a measure is the simplest way to keep the count accurate.
The vodka units formula
For any bottle or pour:
units = volume in ml × ABV ÷ 1,000
For a 70cl bottle at 37.5%:
700 × 37.5 ÷ 1,000 = 26.25 units
For a 50 ml pour at 40%:
50 × 40 ÷ 1,000 = 2 units
The alcohol units calculator runs the same formula, which is handy when you are logging several drinks of different sizes. For the full set of drink types, see the alcohol units chart for beer, wine, and spirits.
Vodka strength: 37.5%, 40%, and beyond
Products sold as vodka in the UK and EU must be at least 37.5% ABV. Within that rule, strength still varies:
- 37.5% is common for supermarket and value brands.
- 40% is common for many international and premium brands.
- Higher-strength vodkas (50% or more) exist and contain considerably more units per bottle.
- Flavoured spirit drinks bottled below 37.5% are often sold under a different name, such as "vodka-based spirit drink" or a liqueur. Check the label, because these can still contain significant alcohol.
Strength matters more than brand, price, or how smooth a vodka tastes. A smoother vodka at 40% contains more alcohol per measure than a harsher one at 37.5%.
Vodka in mixed drinks
Vodka is often mixed, which can make it harder to count. Mixers like cola, tonic, cranberry, and orange juice add volume but no alcohol. The units come only from the vodka.
| Drink | Vodka | Units at 37.5% | Units at 40% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodka and tonic (pub single) | 25 ml | 0.9 | 1.0 |
| Vodka and tonic (pub double) | 50 ml | 1.9 | 2.0 |
| Home-poured vodka and coke | about 60 ml | 2.3 | 2.4 |
| Pre-mixed can (check label) | varies | often 1.5–2.5 per can | — |
Pre-mixed cans and bottles usually print units on the label. If not, use their volume and ABV in the formula above.
For cocktails with several spirits, such as a Long Island iced tea, add the alcohol from each one. See how to calculate the ABV of a cocktail.
How a bottle of vodka fits into the weekly guideline
The UK Chief Medical Officers advise that, to keep health risks low, it is safest not to drink more than 14 units a week on a regular basis, spread over three or more days, with some alcohol-free days.
| Amount of vodka (37.5%) | Units | Share of 14-unit guideline |
|---|---|---|
| One 25 ml single | 0.9 | 7% |
| One 50 ml double | 1.9 | 13% |
| A 35cl half bottle | 13.1 | 94% |
| A 70cl bottle | 26.3 | 188% |
Spreading a bottle over a week still means drinking nearly twice the guideline. If you are trying to cut down, see practical ways to reduce alcohol intake and the UK alcohol units guide.
Units also do not measure impairment. Never use a units count or a bottle calculation to decide whether you can drive.
Track your vodka by measure
The easiest way to keep an accurate total is to log each measure with its size and strength as you pour it, especially if a bottle lasts several days or is shared.
Alcohol Tracker° lets you log spirits by millilitres and ABV and keeps a weekly units total for you. You can [see Alcohol Tracker° for iPhone and Apple Watch](/) if you want an easier way to keep track.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many units are in a 70cl bottle of vodka?
A 70cl bottle at 37.5% ABV contains 26.25 units, usually shown as 26.3 on labels. At 40% ABV it contains 28 units.
How many units are in a litre of vodka?
A 1 litre bottle contains 37.5 units at 37.5% ABV and 40 units at 40% ABV.
How many units are in a single vodka?
A 25 ml single at 37.5% contains about 0.9 units, and at 40% exactly 1 unit. A 35 ml single contains 1.3 to 1.4 units.
How many units are in a quarter bottle of vodka?
A 20cl quarter bottle contains 7.5 units at 37.5% and 8 units at 40%.
Is a bottle of vodka a week too much?
A 70cl bottle of standard vodka contains about 26 to 28 units, nearly double the UK low-risk guideline of 14 units a week. If you are concerned about your drinking, your GP or a service such as Drinkline can help.
The quick answer
How many units are in a bottle of vodka? A 70cl bottle at 37.5% contains 26.25 units and at 40% contains 28 units. A 25 ml single is about 1 unit and a 50 ml double about 2. Multiply millilitres by ABV and divide by 1,000 for any other bottle, and log measures as you pour them.
Sources: NHS alcohol units, UK Chief Medical Officers' low risk drinking guidelines, and EU spirit drinks regulation 2019/787.
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.
