How Many Shots in a Pint
How many shots in a pint is a question new beer drinkers often wonder about. Technically, there are 10.67 shots in a U.S. Liquid pint (16 ounces of fluid). However, there are eight shots in a pint of alcohol, as a standard “pint-sized” liquor bottle measures 12 ounces (375 milliliters).
The good news is that our experts have done all the research, and they are here to feed your curiosity surrounding how many shots are in a pint.
How Many Shots in a Pint of Liquor?
A U.S. Liquid pint contains 10.67 shots, but the figure varies in the case of “pint-sized” liquor bottles. Generally, a U.S. shot glass holds 1.5 ounces and a US Liquid pint is 16 ounces of fluid. So when we divide 16 ounces by 1.5 ounces, we can quickly ascertain that there are 10.67 shots in a pint.
Whereas a pint of a liquor or beer bottle in the U.S. is equivalent to 12 ounces (375 milliliters). Therefore, when we divide 12 by 1.5, we get eight shots in a pint of beer or liquor. Similarly, using this formula, you can get the number of shots in a pint for other countries as well.
Liquor Shots per Bottle
The standard size of distilled spirits holds 750 milliliters of liquor. In contrast, a pint of beer or other distilled spirits holds 12 ounces (375 milliliters) of liquor. Similarly, liquor bottles come in different sizes. The below-mentioned table represents popular liquor bottle sizes and the average number of shots in each bottle.
| Bottle | Size | Shots per Bottle |
| Liter | 1 liter (33.8 ounces) | 22 shots |
| Standard Bottle (Fifth) | 750 milliliters (25.4 ounces) | 16 shots |
| Pint | 375 milliliters (12.7 ounces) | 8 shots |
| Half Pint | 200 milliliters (6.8 ounces) | 4 shots |
| Quarter Pint | 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces) | 2 shots |
| Miniature (Nip or Mini ) | 50 milliliters (1.7 ounces) | 1 shot |
It is important to note that we are just talking about volume. The content of alcohol varies according to the type of alcoholic beverage.
Alcohol in a Shot of Hard Liquor
Generally, the most common distilled spirits (hard liquor) like vodka, rum, and whiskey have an average ABV of 40 percent. So 12 ounces (354 milliliters) of hard liquor with 40 percent ABV has about 4.8 ounces (141.6 milliliters) of ethanol. If you further divide this number by eight, we get 0.6 ounces (17.7 milliliters) of alcohol in a shot of distilled spirit.
How Many Shots Are in a Half Pint?
A half-pint-sized liquor bottle contains approximately four shots with 1.5 ounces. In the U.S, a half-pint-sized liquor bottle is 6.8 ounces (200 milliliters).
How Many Shots in a Pint of Beer?
Eight shots of beer equal a pint. In the U.S, a standard serving of a beer can or a pint measures 12 ounces (375 milliliters). So, when we divide this by 1.5 ounces, we get eight shots in a beer.
Alcohol in a Shot of Beer
The alcohol by volume percentage ranges from five to eight in the U.S craft beers. So 12 ounces (354 milliliters) of beer with 6 percent ABV has about 0.72 ounces (21.24 milliliters) of ethanol. If you further divide this number by eight, we get .09 (2.65 milliliters) of alcohol in a shot of beer.
This is a negligible amount of alcohol compared to a shot of hard liquor such as vodka, gin, rum, or whisky.
Learn more about Beer Alcohol Content in our detailed review article.
Pint of Alcohol per Country
According to the imperial and United States customary measurement systems, a pint is a unit of volume or capacity. Most nations use the metric system and do not use pint as a unit of measure. Therefore, it may vary from country to country.
To make things clearer, lt is important to identify what kind of pint is being referred to. Technically, a “U.S. liquid pint” is 16 U.S. fluid ounces (473 milliliters). Therefore, when filled to the brim, a standard pint glass holds 16 ounces of liquid, whereas a “pint-sized” liquor bottle holds 12 ounces (375 milliliters).
Interestingly, there is no universal standard for drink measurements. Therefore, the definition of pint varies significantly in different countries. For instance, in the United Kingdom, a pint glass holds 20 imperial fluid ounces (568 milliliters). Here are measurements of a pint in some countries.
- US liquid pint: 16 US fl ounces (473 milliliters)
- British Imperial pint: 20 imp fl ounces (568 milliliters)
- US dry pint: 18.6 US fl ounces (551 milliliters)
- India: 330 milliliters
- Australian pint: 570 milliliters
- French Royal pint or pinte du roi: 48 French cubic inches (952 milliliters)
Ounces in a Shot Glass
A shot glass is an American invention. Despite this, no federal law exists in the U.S. to regularize the size of a shot glass. However, the state of Utah has an existing law that standardizes a shot glass as 1.5 ounces. Irrespective of the fact, most bars in the U.S. use a shot glass that holds 1.5 ounces of liquor.
Shot Glass Sizes Around the World
In this case, there is no universal standard for using a shot glass. It varies significantly from one country to another. It can range from .68 ounces (Germany) to 2 ounces (Japan) per serving.
The table below depicts shot glass sizes around the world:
| Countries | Shot Size | Shots-per US liquid pint |
| UK, South Africa | 0.84 ounces | 19 shots |
| Denmark and Germany | 0.68 ounces | 23.5 shots |
| Australia, India, and South Africa | 1.01 ounces | 16 shots |
| Finland, Hungary, Poland and Sweden | 1.35 ounces | 11.85 shots |
| Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Russia | 1.69 ounces | 9.46 shots |
| Japan, Israel, and Italy | 2.02 ounces | 7.92 shots |
Jigger vs Shot
Both a jigger and a shot holds 1.5 ounces of liquor. However, a jigger is a measuring tool and shot glasses are used to serve alcohol.
Alcohol Content
A shot of hard liquor contains an equal amount of alcohol to 12 ounces of beer with five percent ABV as both drinks have approximately 0.6 ounces of ethanol. Ethanol is the common alcohol in any alcoholic beverage. The only difference is the ethanol quantity, which is represented as the Alcohol by Volume (ABV) percentage. The ABV ranges from as low as 3 percent in beers to 40 percent in distilled spirits.
However, a shot tends to get people drunk faster due to the consumption of more alcohol in a shorter amount of time. There is a huge difference between the ABV of hard liquors (average 40 percent) and beer (average 5 percent).
Expert Tips
Consider these key tips for calculating the number of shots in a pint and how they may vary based on factors like glassware, alcohol content, and drink type.
- Glassware sizes can vary, so measuring your specific pint glass can provide a more precise estimate.
- Consider the alcohol content, as shots of hard liquor have a higher concentration than beer, affecting your overall alcohol intake.
- Different drink types may require varying numbers of shots to fill a pint; for instance, light beers may need more shots due to their lower alcohol content.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Shots of Liquor Are in a Pint?
There are 10.5 shots that are 1.5 ounces each in a pint. However, a pint is equivalent to one drink. As per American Dietary Guidelines for 2015 to 2020, one standard drink contains 0.6 ounces (17.7 milliliters) of pure alcohol, whereas this amount of alcohol is found in 12 ounces of beer with 5 percent ABV.
Therefore, by alcohol content, a pint of 12 ounces beer with 5 percent ABV is equivalent to a drink. However, this figure may vary according to the variations in the ABV of both drinks.
Is a Pint of Alcohol a Day a Lot?
Yes, this is way more than the daily recommended limit of alcohol consumption. While a pint of beer falls under the daily alcohol intake limits due to the low ABV range of 5-8 percent, a pint of vodka with 40 percent ABV contains eight shots. This is five times or even more than the recommended limit for moderate beer drinking.
How is a “shot” typically measured in alcoholic beverages?
In the realm of alcoholic beverages, a “shot” is generally equivalent to an ounce (approximately 30 milliliters), roughly 1/8th of a standard-sized bottle or container commonly utilized for spirits beverages.
Is a Liquor Shot Healthier Than a Beer?
No, a liquor shot is not healthier than a beer. However, in terms of alcohol, both drinks remain on the same page. The quantity and calories remain a vital fact.
A shot of hard liquor is likely to be consumed faster. As a result, it is more in terms of alcohol and calorie intake than a standard 12-ounce can of beer. Therefore, beer is considered a much healthier option than liquor shots.
Related Measurement Drink Articles
Discover this collection of additional articles related to measuring and serving drinks.
Wrapping Up
Keep this guide handy whenever you plan a party or want to order in a bar like a pro. We hope, after reading this article, you have figured out how many shots are in a pint.
- A U.S. Liquid Pint holds 16 US fluid ounces and a shot measures 1.5 US fluid ounces, so technically, there are 10.67 shots in a Pint.
- However, pint-sized alcohol bottles such as beers and vodkas are 12 ounces (375 milliliters), so there are eight shots in a pint of alcohol.
- It is important to note that there is no universal measurement of a pint. As a result, shots in a pint vary from country to country.
- A shot of hard liquor with 40 percent ABV is equivalent to a 12-ounce beer with 5 percent ABV.
It is the size of the bottle that determines the number of shots in it. Make sure to drink responsibly and stay within your alcohol limit!
