What is the alcohol percentage of tequila? Most tequila is 40% ABV, or 80 proof. Mexico's tequila standard allows 35% to 55%, but tequila sold in the US must be at least 40%. Blanco, reposado, and añejo are usually all 40%, and some still-strength or high-proof bottlings reach 46% to 55%.
At 40%, a 1.5 oz US shot is exactly one US standard drink, and a 25 ml UK single is exactly 1 UK unit. This guide covers tequila strength by type, what a shot, a margarita, and a bottle contain, and how to work it out for any pour.
Tequila alcohol percentage by type
| Tequila | Typical ABV | US proof | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blanco (silver) | 40% | 80 | Unaged or rested under 2 months |
| Reposado | 40% | 80 | Aged 2 to 12 months in oak |
| Añejo | 40% | 80 | Aged 1 to 3 years |
| Extra añejo | 40% | 80 | Aged over 3 years |
| High-proof or still-strength | 46%–55% | 92–110 | Labelled clearly as higher proof |
| Export bottlings in some markets | 35%–38% | 70–76 | Allowed under Mexico's standard; check the label |
| Mezcal (for comparison) | 35%–55% | 70–110 | Often above 45% |
Ageing changes colour and flavour, not strength. A reposado is not stronger than a blanco; both are usually bottled at 40%.
What does 80 proof mean?
In the US, proof is twice the ABV. So 80 proof tequila is 40% alcohol. For more on how labels express strength, see what ABV means.
Why can tequila be 35% to 55%?
Mexico's official standard for tequila, NOM-006-SCFI-2012, sets the allowed range at 35% to 55% ABV. US federal rules for agave spirits require bottling at 40% or more, which is why nearly every bottle on US shelves says 80 proof or higher.
How much alcohol is in a shot of tequila?
One US standard drink is 0.6 fl oz (about 14 g) of pure alcohol. One UK unit is 10 ml of pure alcohol.
| Serving | Volume | UK units at 40% | US standard drinks at 40% |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK single | 25 ml | 1.0 | 0.6 |
| Large UK single | 35 ml | 1.4 | 0.8 |
| US shot | 1.5 oz (44 ml) | 1.8 | 1.0 |
| Double, or a 50 ml miniature | 50 ml | 2.0 | 1.1 |
| US double | 3 oz (89 ml) | 3.5 | 2.0 |
A shot of 55% high-proof tequila contains 2.4 units, or about 1.4 US standard drinks. For shot sizes around the world, see how many ml are in a shot.
How much alcohol is in a margarita?
A classic margarita uses 2 oz of tequila, 1 oz of lime juice, and about 0.75 to 1 oz of orange liqueur. At 40% for both spirits:
- 2 oz tequila + 0.75 oz orange liqueur: 2.75 oz × 0.40 = 1.1 oz of pure alcohol, which is 1.8 standard drinks.
- 2 oz tequila + 1 oz orange liqueur: 3 oz × 0.40 = 1.2 oz, which is 2.0 standard drinks.
Large restaurant margaritas and frozen pitchers can hold far more. A margarita is usually closer to two drinks than one. To work out any cocktail, see how to calculate cocktail ABV.
How much alcohol is in a bottle of tequila?
| Bottle | Volume | UK units at 40% | US standard drinks at 40% | 1.5 oz shots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK bottle | 70cl | 28.0 | 15.8 | 15.8 |
| US fifth | 750 ml | 30.0 | 16.9 | 16.9 |
| Litre | 1 L | 40.0 | 22.5 | 22.5 |
| Handle | 1.75 L | 70.0 | 39.5 | 39.5 |
A 70cl bottle of 40% tequila is 28 units, twice the UK weekly low-risk guideline. For all bottle sizes, see the liquor bottle sizes chart.
The formula for any tequila
UK units = ml × ABV ÷ 1,000
US standard drinks = fluid ounces × ABV (as a decimal) ÷ 0.6
Example 1: a 25 ml UK single at 40%
25 × 40 ÷ 1,000 = 1.0 unit
Example 2: a 1.5 oz shot of 55% tequila
1.5 × 0.55 = 0.825 oz of pure alcohol, and 0.825 ÷ 0.6 = 1.4 standard drinks
Example 3: a 750 ml bottle at 40%
750 ml = 25.4 oz. 25.4 × 0.40 = 10.1 oz of pure alcohol, and 10.1 ÷ 0.6 = 16.9 standard drinks
The standard drink calculator and the alcohol units calculator handle any pour and strength.
Why tequila is easy to over-count or under-count
- Shots go fast. Three shots in an hour is three standard drinks, the same as three beers, in a fraction of the time.
- Cocktails hide doubles. A margarita looks like one drink but is often two.
- Higher-proof bottles at 55% have over a third more alcohol per shot than standard 40% tequila.
Logging each shot or cocktail when you have it is the only reliable way to keep count. [Alcohol Tracker°](/) lets you log a shot or a margarita from iPhone or Apple Watch with its size and ABV, and it keeps a running total for the night and the week.
Never drive after drinking tequila. Counting shots does not tell you when you are safe to drive, so plan a sober driver, a taxi, or public transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the alcohol percentage of tequila?
Most tequila is 40% ABV (80 proof). Mexico's standard allows 35% to 55%, and tequila sold in the US must be at least 40%.
Is tequila stronger than vodka?
Usually not. Both are typically 40% ABV in the US. In the UK and EU, vodka can be as low as 37.5%, so a 40% tequila is slightly stronger than some vodkas.
Is reposado or añejo stronger than blanco?
No. Ageing in oak changes colour and flavour but not the bottled strength. Blanco, reposado, and añejo are usually all 40%.
How many units are in a shot of tequila?
A 25 ml UK single at 40% is exactly 1 UK unit. A 1.5 oz US shot at 40% is 1.8 units, which is one US standard drink.
How many shots of tequila are in a bottle?
A 750 ml bottle holds about 17 shots of 1.5 oz. A 70cl bottle holds 28 UK singles of 25 ml or 20 of 35 ml.
The quick answer
Tequila is usually 40% ABV (80 proof). Mexico allows 35% to 55%, and US tequila must be at least 40%. A 1.5 oz shot of 40% tequila is one US standard drink, a 25 ml UK single is 1 unit, a classic margarita is about 2 standard drinks, and a 70cl bottle is 28 units.
Sources: eCFR: 27 CFR 5.148, agave spirits, Tequila Regulatory Council: NOM-006-SCFI-2012 (English), NIAAA: What is a standard drink?, CDC: About alcohol use, NHS alcohol units, and the UK Chief Medical Officers' low-risk drinking guidelines.
Keep exploring
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