What is considered to be equivalent to one standard drink?

A standard drink is defined as a specific measure of alcohol that typically contains about 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. This measurement allows for consistency when comparing different types of alcoholic beverages.

A 12-ounce beer, which is usually around 5% alcohol by volume (ABV), aligns with this definition as it contains approximately 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. This makes it equivalent to one standard drink.

In contrast, a 16-ounce beer would contain more alcohol, exceeding the standard drink measure, as it is a larger serving size. A shot of 90 proof alcohol (which is 45% ABV) contains significantly more alcohol than one standard drink. A typical shot of this strength contains about 1.5 ounces of pure alcohol, which is more than double the amount found in a standard drink. Finally, a 5-ounce glass of wine generally contains about 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol, but the percentage can vary based on the wine's strength. However, in comparison to the 12-ounce beer, which is universally recognized as one standard drink, the 12-ounce beer serves as the most straightforward example of this standard measure.