If you’ve ever mixed cocktails, ordered liquor at a bar, or followed a drink recipe, you’ve likely asked: How many mL are in a shot? The answer isn’t as universal as people think. Shot sizes vary by country, bar, and even by type of pour. In some places, a shot is barely a sip, while in others it’s a noticeably generous measure.
Understanding these differences helps you mix drinks accurately, gauge alcohol consumption, and avoid unintentionally over-pouring. These variations also matter when comparing drinking customs internationally or adapting recipes from different regions.
Even professional bartenders rely on standardized measurements to ensure consistency. So, in this guide, I’ll break it all down as simply as possible—but with all the useful detail you need.
What Is a Shot, Exactly?
A shot refers to a single measured amount of hard liquor—most commonly spirits like whiskey, tequila, vodka, or rum. While a shot is often used casually, in professional bartending it’s a standardized measurement.
But here’s the twist: the standard isn’t the same everywhere.
Standard Shot Sizes by Country
Here’s a helpful comparison table of single-shot measurements around the world:
| Country | Single Shot (mL) | Notes |
| United States | 44 mL (1.5 oz) | Most common standard in bars |
| United Kingdom | 25 mL | Smaller single measure |
| Scotland & Northern Ireland | 35 mL | Legal standard in many pubs |
| Canada | 43–44 mL | Similar to US |
| Australia | 30 mL | National standard drink shot |
| Germany | 20 or 40 mL | Varies by establishment |
| Italy | 40 mL | Often 40–60 mL for grappa & spirits |
| Russia | 50 mL | Traditionally larger |
| Japan | 30 mL (single), 60 mL (double) | Very exact measuring culture |
Right away, you’ll notice the US and Canada lean toward larger pours, while UK pours tend to be noticeably smaller. If you travel or mix recipes from different regions, this matters.
The US Standard Shot: 44 mL (1.5 oz)
In the United States, a standard shot is 1.5 fluid ounces, which equals about 44 milliliters. This is the measurement most cocktail recipes rely on.
However, some establishments also use these terms:
- Pony shot = 1.0 oz (30 mL)
- Standard shot = 1.5 oz (44 mL)
- Double shot = 3.0 oz (89 mL)
So if a bartender says, “Want a double?”, you’re getting nearly 90 mL of liquor—almost like two and a half UK shots.
Why Isn’t There One Universal Shot Size?
It comes down to:
- Local alcohol laws
- Cultural drinking habits
- Historical traditions
- Pricing and serving norms
For example, in the UK, the smaller 25 mL pour originally helped pubs manage alcohol taxes more efficiently. In Russia, 50 mL shots are the cultural norm for vodka consumption. Cocktail culture in the US leans toward a heartier 44 mL pour.
Shot Size vs. Standard Drink (Important!)
Many people confuse a shot of liquor with a standard drink. These aren’t always identical.
For alcohol health guidelines:
- A US standard drink contains 14 grams of pure alcohol, which is about:
- 1.5 oz (44 mL) of 40% ABV spirits
- 5 oz (147 mL) of wine
- 12 oz (355 mL) of 5% beer
This means one US shot is designed to match the alcohol content of a single standard drink. But in places with smaller shots (25–30 mL), one shot may contain less than one standard drink.
How to Measure a Shot Accurately at Home
If you’re mixing cocktails, eyeballing measurements can quickly throw off the flavor balance.
The best tool is a jigger, commonly shaped like an hourglass with measurements on each side:
Typical jigger measurements:
- 30 mL (1 oz)
- 45 mL (1.5 oz)
Some even have internal lines for:
- 15 mL
- 22 mL
- 30 mL
This ensures accuracy—especially important when mixing strong spirits.
Quickly Converting Shots to mL and Ounces
Useful reference:
- 1 US fluid ounce = 29.57 mL
Rounded for practicality: - 1 oz ≈ 30 mL
So:
- 1 shot (1.5 oz) = 44 mL
- 2 oz = 59 mL
- 3 oz (double shot) = 89 mL
How Many Shots in a 750 mL Bottle?
A standard liquor bottle (a “fifth”) is 750 mL.
Using US shot size (44 mL):
- 750 ÷ 44 ≈ 17 shots per bottle
Using UK shot size (25 mL):
- 750 ÷ 25 = 30 shots
Using 30 mL (Australia):
- 750 ÷ 30 = 25 shots
That’s a huge difference—the same bottle makes 17 shots in America and 30 shots in England. This is especially helpful for planning parties or bar inventory.
How Many mL in Common Bar Pours?
| Pour Type | Ounces | mL | Where Used |
| Splash | ~0.17 oz | 5 mL | Flavoring or finishing |
| Dash | ~0.03 oz | 1 mL | Bitters |
| Pony shot | 1 oz | 30 mL | Smaller shot |
| Standard US shot | 1.5 oz | 44 mL | Most US bars |
| Double shot | 3 oz | 89 mL | Strong pours |
| Rocks pour (over ice) | 2 oz | 59 mL | Whiskey/rum etc. |
Does Shot Size Affect Intoxication?
Absolutely.
Drinking one 50 mL shot of 40% vodka in Russia delivers more alcohol than one 25 mL shot in the UK. That means the same number of “shots” won’t always equal the same alcohol intake.
Two people may both say:
“I only had three shots.”
But:
- 3 shots in the USA = 132 mL total
- 3 shots in the UK = 75 mL total
- 3 shots in Russia = 150 mL total
So, yes—context matters.
FAQs About Shot Measurements
1. How many mL is a shot in the US?
44 mL (1.5 oz) is standard.
2. Is a shot always 30 mL?
No. 30 mL is used in Australia, but many countries serve larger.
3. How many mL is a double shot?
Typically 60–90 mL depending on the country.
4. How many mL in a tequila shot?
The same measurement as any spirit—varies by country. In the US, typically 44 mL.
5. How many shots make 100 mL?
Using US standard:
100 mL ÷ 44 ≈ 2.27 shots
Using UK standard:
100 mL ÷ 25 = 4 shots
6. How big is a shot glass?
Shot glasses range from 25–60 mL. The glass size rarely indicates the legal pour.
Final Thoughts: Know Your Pour
The answer to how many mL in a shot isn’t one-size-fits-all—because the world doesn’t agree on a single measurement. But in general:
- Expect about 44 mL in the US
- 25–35 mL in the UK
- 30 mL in Australia
- 40–50 mL in parts of Europe and Russia
Whether you’re mixing cocktails, running a bar, or simply curious, knowing shot measurements helps ensure accuracy, alcohol awareness, and consistent results.