How Many Beers Is a 40? Standard Drinks in a 40 oz Bottle
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Quick answer: A 40-ounce bottle of regular beer (about 5% alcohol) holds about 3⅓ US standard drinks, the same alcohol as three and a third 12-ounce beers. A 40 of malt liquor (about 7% alcohol) holds about 4½ standard drinks (NIAAA).
How many beers are in a 40?
| Bottle | Regular beer (5%) | Malt liquor (7%) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 fl oz | 1 | 1½ |
| 16 fl oz | 1⅓ | 2 |
| 22 fl oz | 2 | 2½ |
| 40 fl oz | 3⅓ | 4½ |
Figures are the approximate number of US standard drinks published by the NIAAA. One standard drink contains 14 grams (0.6 fl oz) of pure alcohol.
Why a 40 can be more than “three beers”
Many 40-ounce bottles are malt liquor, which is stronger than regular beer. The number on the label (ABV) decides how many standard drinks the bottle holds. A 40 oz bottle at 8% contains about 5.3 standard drinks; at 10% about 6.7 (our calculation from the NIAAA definition). Work out your own bottle with the standard drink calculator.
How many ounces and milliliters is a 40?
40 US fluid ounces is about 1,183 ml (1 US fl oz = 29.574 ml, NIST). See also how many drinks are in a bottle.
Sources
- NIAAA Rethinking Drinking: how many drinks are in common containers, read 3 Nov 2026
- NIAAA: What is a standard drink?, read 3 Nov 2026
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C
General information only. Never drink and drive.
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Bottle Sizes and Shots Chart (PDF)
Every legal US bottle size for spirits and wine: fluid ounces, 1.5 oz shots (= standard drinks), 5 oz glasses and UK units. Every line shows its source and the date we read it. Print it or keep it on your phone.
- 25 spirits sizes from 50 ml to 3.75 L (27 CFR 5.203) and 25 wine sizes (27 CFR 4.72)
- Fifth, pint, half pint and 50 ml shot bottle, worked out for you
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