How many units and calories are in a pint?
ABV, yeah you know me! Find out more about units in a pint.
To know what’s in your pint, you first need to know the ABV%, so check the label to know exactly what you’re drinking. Beer, ale, lager or stout that has ‘4% ABV’ on its label contains 4% pure alcohol. Watch out for stronger ‘craft’ beers - some can hit 12% ABV. In a pub or bar, these are generally served only as half pints.
You can work out how many units there are in any amount of beer, ale, lager or stout by using the formula below:
(ABV x ml) ÷ 1000 = units
For example, to work out the number of units in a pint glass of 5% ABV lager:
5 (ABV) x 568 (ml) ÷ 1000 = 2.8 units
Beer, ale, lager or stout unit guide:
1x 3.4% Pint = 1.9 Units
1x 4.0% Pint = 2.3 Units
1x 5.0% Pint = 2.8 Units
1x 7.0% Pint = 4.0 Units
1x 9.0% Pint = 5.1 Units
The recommended weekly alcohol limit in the UK is 14 units, which is the same as 6 pints of 4% beer.
What’s with the beer belly? Find out more about calories in a pint.
With around seven calories per gram, alcohol contains almost the same calories as pure fat - so drinking too many pints can lead to weight gain and start to affect how you look and feel.
Hangovers can also lead you to have less motivation to exercise.
You may find that your urge to snack is higher when you drink. Not only that, but you’re more likely to reach for some crisps over carrot sticks.
A man needs around 2,500 calories a day to maintain his weight. For a woman, that figure is around 2,000 calories. These values can vary depending on age, metabolism and levels of physical activity, among other things.
Beer, ale, lager or stout calorie guide:
1x 4.0% Pint = 183 calories or 18 minutes of running!
1x 5.0% Pint = 227 calories or close to 1 hamburger!
How can I reduce the amount of pints I’m drinking?
Try some non- or low-alcoholic alternatives
Pubs, bars and supermarkets all stock a range of low alcohol beers.Take a day (or two) off
Make sure you include some ‘zero-alcohol’ days in your weekDownload our free DrinkCoach app
This will help you track what you’re drinking, set goals and see how many units you are REALLY drinking.
Any more than 6 pints of 4% ABV beer in a week will put you over the low risk drinking guidelines.
What is a safe amount of beer to drink?
Understanding the low risk drinking guidelines in relation to lager, ale, stout or beer.
Low risk drinking guidelines advise that both men and women should not regularly drink more than 14 units a week. BUT don’t ‘save up’ your 14 units, it’s best that they are spread out over the week so you don’t binge.
If you regularly drink over these guidelines, you are increasing your chances of developing long-term health conditions. You can find out how risky your drinking is by taking the Alcohol Test.
Any more than 6 pints of 4% ABV beer in a week will put you over the low risk drinking guidelines.
