Standard Drink Guide: What Counts as One Drink for ETG?

The Quick Answer

Worried about your ETG test? The first step is knowing exactly how much you drank. Most people guess wrong—and guessing low can mean failing your test.

One standard drink in the US contains 14 grams (0.6 oz) of pure alcohol. This is the amount in 12 oz of regular beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of spirits. This definition comes from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

Ready to calculate? Use our ETG calculator below:

Visual Reference

Here's what one standard drink looks like for each type:

Important: These are standard sizes. Real-world drinks often exceed these amounts.

Why Accurate Counting Matters for ETG

ETG (Ethyl Glucuronide) tests are extremely sensitive. They can detect alcohol consumption for 24-80 hours after drinking—far longer than breath or blood tests. This sensitivity means small counting errors have big consequences.

Here's the problem: If you think you had 3 drinks but actually had 5, your ETG calculator estimate will be off by hours. You might think you're safe when you're not.

Consider this real scenario: You had "a few beers" watching the game. But those were 16 oz pints of 7% IPA from a craft brewery. Three pints = 5.7 standard drinks, not 3. That's nearly double what you thought—and could mean 10+ extra hours of detection time.

The stakes are high. A failed ETG test can mean:

• Probation violations
• Loss of professional licenses
• Custody complications
• Treatment program consequences

Bottom line: Take 2 minutes to count accurately. It's worth it.

Common Mistakes

Most people undercount their drinks. Here's why:

Craft Beer Trap

A regular 12 oz beer at 5% ABV = 1 standard drink. But craft beers are different:

A pint (16 oz) of 7% IPA = 1.9 standard drinks. Count it as 2.

Real example: Mike had 4 craft beers at a brewery tour. He thought that was "4 drinks." But they were 10 oz pours of 8.5% stout. Actual count: 4.8 standard drinks. His ETG estimate was off by nearly 6 hours.

Wine Pour Reality

The standard pour is 5 oz. But wine glasses vary dramatically:

• Restaurant pour: Often 6-8 oz (1.2-1.6 drinks)
• Home pour: Usually "generous" 7-10 oz (1.4-2.0 drinks)
• Wine glass size: Many hold 12-20 oz when full

Tip: Fill your glass, then measure it once. You'll be surprised.

Real example: Sarah thought she had "2 glasses of wine" at dinner. Her home pours were 8 oz each in large wine glasses. Actual count: 3.2 standard drinks—not 2.

Mixed Drink Math

A "standard" cocktail has 1.5 oz of spirits = 1 drink. But:

• Strong cocktails (Long Island, Margarita): 2-4 drinks
• Double shots: 2 drinks
• Home pours: Often 2-3 oz (1.3-2 drinks)

Real example: Two Long Island Iced Teas at a bar? That's potentially 8-10 standard drinks, not 2. One drink order doesn't equal one standard drink.

The Formula

If you want to calculate precisely:

Standard Drinks = (Volume in oz × ABV%) ÷ 60

Example: A 16 oz pint of 6.5% IPA:

• (16 × 6.5) ÷ 60 = 104 ÷ 60 = 1.7 standard drinks

Or use our ETG Calculator and we'll do the math.

Regional Differences

"Standard drink" means different things in different countries:

Our calculator uses US standards (14g). If you're in another country, your official "drinks" may be smaller than ours.

Practical Tips

Before You Drink

1. Know your glass size - Measure it once
2. Check ABV - Look at the label or tap sign
3. Round up - When unsure, assume more

Counting Accurately

• 1 can/bottle of regular beer = 1 drink
• 1 pint of craft beer = 1.5-2 drinks
• 1 restaurant wine glass = 1.5 drinks
• 1 "home pour" wine = 2 drinks
• 1 cocktail (varies) = 1-3 drinks

For ETG Tests

The ETG Calculator gives you time estimates based on standard drinks. Input accuracy matters. Undercount your drinks, and you'll underestimate your detection time.

When in doubt, count high and add buffer time.

Related Resources

• ETG Calculator — Run your calculation
• ETG Detection Time Chart — Visual breakdown
• Calculation Formula — The science behind it
• Realistic ETG Detection Times — In-depth guide

This page is for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical or legal advice. For specific guidance, consult a healthcare provider or legal professional.