What is a standard drink in New Zealand?
Health New Zealand states that a standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol. The number in a can, bottle, or cask depends on its volume and strength. A usual serving at a bar can contain more than one standard drink.
Calculate from volume and ABV
Estimate pure alcohol with volume in ml × ABV as a decimal × 0.789, then divide by 10. A 330 ml beer at 4% ABV contains about 10.4 g of pure alcohol, or about 1.0 New Zealand standard drink.
Labels are more accurate than assumptions. Products with the same name can have different ABV and therefore different standard-drink counts.
Use the right tool
- New Zealand standard-drinks calculator — calculate one serving.
- Standard drinks per container — check a full can, bottle, or cask.
- Alcohol grams calculator — compare pure alcohol amounts.
- Alcohol units by country — compare national references.
Alcohol and safety
Do not use standard drinks or an online BAC estimate to decide whether to drive, operate machinery, or make a medical or legal decision. Arrange a sober way home before drinking. Seek local emergency help if someone is unconscious, has seizures, repeatedly vomits, or has trouble breathing.