How many oz in a shot of liquor?

If you’re mixing up cocktails at home or ordering one at the bar, you’ll find that in the United States, a standard shot of liquor is usually 1.5 fluid ounces (about 44 milliliters). Bartenders often measure this with a “jigger,” and it’s the basis for one “standard drink” when you’re tracking alcohol in recipes or servings. So whether you’re pouring a neat whiskey or a vodka shot, expect around 1.5 fl oz in that little glass.

Of course, shot sizes aren’t the same everywhere. There’s no universal rule, and even U.S. bars sometimes pour a bit more or less. Here’s how it breaks down when you travel or follow recipes from different countries:

• United States: ~1.5 oz (44 ml) is most common. Some bars use 1.25 oz or go up to 2 oz for a bigger pour, but 1.5 oz is the standard you’ll see in most recipes and jiggers. Many shot glasses sold here hold exactly 1.5 oz so you can measure by eye.
• United Kingdom: By law, pubs pour 25 ml (0.85 oz) or 35 ml (1.2 oz) per shot, at the bar’s choice. A “double” is typically 50 ml (1.7 oz) if they use 25 ml singles, or 70 ml (2.4 oz) if they serve 35 ml singles. In short, a British shot often feels smaller than an American one.
• Canada: Most Canadian bars match the U.S. at 1.5 oz (43 ml) for one shot. A few provinces use 1 oz (28 ml) as a base, especially in cocktails, but 1.5 oz is the go-to for a standard drink.
• Australia: Down under, a single shot—called a “nip”—is 30 ml (about 1.0 oz). That matches the Australian standard drink of 30 ml of 40% spirits, so recipes there often assume 30 ml per pour.
• Europe (general): In most European bars, everything’s metric:
  20 ml in Italy (often for grappa or a “doppio” at 40 ml),
  40 ml in Germany and Poland,
  50 ml in Russia and Bulgaria (a hefty pour),
  and Scandinavia typically uses 40 ml (~1.35 oz). In short, a European “shot” can range from 20 ml to 50 ml depending on where you are.

Because of these differences, if you’re following an international cocktail recipe or traveling, double-check what “1 shot” means in that context: a London bartender might expect 25 ml, whereas a New York bartender will assume 1.5 oz (44 ml).

Quick Shot Measurement Converter

How Prohibition Solidified America’s 1.5 Oz Standard

In the U.S., that 1.5-ounce measure comes from using a two-sided jigger: the larger side is 1.5 oz and the smaller side (the “pony”) is 1 oz. Back in the 19th century, “jigger” already meant about 1.5 oz of liquor, this is possibly sailor slang or derived from “thingamajig.” After Prohibition, bars standardized shot glasses and jiggers, making 1.5 oz the kitchen- and bar-friendly norm.

During the cocktail golden age (late 1800s–early 1900s), bartenders spoke of a “jigger of gin” (1.5 oz) or a “pony of brandy” (1 oz). Today’s mixology guides and recipe books still use those measurements: most cocktail recipes list ingredients in ounces, and a “shot” usually translates to 1.5 oz if not otherwise specified.

There never was a universal, worldwide mandate on shot size, unlike a pint of beer, which stays close to one standard (albeit with U.S. vs. Imperial differences). Local drinking customs and public health guidelines shaped each country’s pour. In the U.S., 1.5 oz of 40% ABV liquor became recognized as a single drink. In Australia, health authorities preferred a smaller 30 ml shot to define one standard drink. In any region, pours can also be adjusted to discourage over-serving.

Mastering Proportions: Why 1.5 Oz Is Crucial for Classic Recipes

Knowing exactly how many ounces make a shot is essential for mixing balanced drinks. If a margarita recipe calls for “1 shot of tequila,” and you pour 1.5 oz, you’ll end up with the intended flavor profile. Pour only 1 oz by mistake, and you’ll have a weaker cocktail. Conversely, a 2 oz pour makes the drink noticeably stronger.

Bartending balances science and art—precise ratios are key when you’re working with just a few ingredients. Professional bartenders rely on jiggers with clear markings to keep every pour consistent. A standard pour for a neat spirit is usually 1.5 oz in the U.S., while a rocks pour can be 2 oz or more if you want a heartier serving over ice. This knowledge also helps when you’re reading cocktail menus, because if you order a whiskey neat “double,” you can expect roughly 3 oz (two 1.5 oz shots), unless the bar specifies otherwise.

At home, it’s smart to get a jigger or shot glass with ounce markings. When a cookbook or website says “1 shot,” they almost always mean 1.5 oz unless they note a different measure. Some recipe authors spell it out to avoid any confusion: “1 shot = 1.5 oz.”

From Wine to Whiskey: Understanding the Universal Standard Drink

From a health perspective, understanding a “standard drink” is helpful. In U.S. guidelines, one standard drink of hard liquor is 1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof (40% ABV) spirits. This is about the same amount of pure alcohol (around 14 grams) as a 5 oz glass of wine or a 12 oz beer. So if you’re tracking alcohol intake, each 1.5 oz shot counts as one drink. Four shots in a short period is four standard drinks, that’s enough to bump up blood alcohol quickly, so public health agencies emphasize that moderation and pacing matter.

Other countries define a standard drink differently based on local pour sizes. In the UK, a “unit” is 10 ml of pure alcohol. So a 25 ml shot of 40% spirit equals one unit. In Australia, a standard drink is 30 ml of 40% spirit. In any given region, bars and recipes follow these guidelines to help patrons and home mixologists gauge intake consistently.

Why We Call It a ‘Shot’: Legends, Myths, and True Origins

The term “shot” for a small serving of liquor has colorful legends behind it. One Old West tale claims that a whiskey cost a “shot” of ammunition (a bullet) if you were short on cash, hence “shooting” your drink. While that story is charming, there’s little evidence to back it up. More likely, “shot” as a little dose comes from an older sense of “shot” meaning a small quantity (like a medicine shot). By the late 1800s, newspapers occasionally mentioned “let’s have a shot of the old rye,” so the phrasing was already in play for taking a quick drink.

You’ll also see the word pony to mean a 1 oz pour. A “pony shot” is simply a one-ounce measure. A “double” typically means two shots, so about 3 oz in the U.S. And the old-fashioned gill (pronounced “jil”) equals 4 oz (~118 ml) but has mostly fallen out of everyday use in bars.

Sizing Up Your Shot Glass: From Standard to Specialty

Shot glasses come in all sorts of shapes and capacities. The typical U.S. shot glass holds about 1.5 to 2 oz, often with a little extra space so you can fill to the 1.5 oz line without spilling. Tall, slender shot glasses (sometimes called “shooters”) might hold 2 oz or more and are perfect for layered shooters or party drinks. In Europe, you’ll find glasses marked with centiliter lines (e.g., 2 cl or 4 cl) to meet legal pour requirements. Fun fact: the Guinness World Record for the biggest shot glass collection includes many promotional glasses that actually differ in volume by a few milliliters.

When a cocktail recipe says “1 shot” (like for a B-52 or Jägerbomb), most bartenders assume that means 1.5 oz. Some party shooters might be smaller (say 1 oz) to lighten the alcohol hit. If friends are mixing your drink, checking whose “shot” standard they use is always a good idea—especially if you’re aiming for a precise balance of flavors.

International Shot Guide: Comparing Pour Sizes Around the World

To recap common shot sizes worldwide:

• 1 shot (US) = 1.5 fl oz
• 1 shot (UK) = 0.85 fl oz (25 ml) or 1.2 fl oz (35 ml), depending on venue
• 1 shot (EU) = varies: often 20 ml, 30 ml, 40 ml, or 50 ml
• 1 shot (Australia) = 1.0 fl oz (30 ml)
• 1 shot (Germany/Scandinavia) = ~1.35 fl oz (40 ml)
• 1 shot (Eastern Europe/Russia) = ~1.7 fl oz (50 ml)

So wherever you pour or order a shot, you might be surprised by how small or generous it is compared to your home bar. An American traveler in London might feel their drink is weaker, since a UK shot could be 25 ml (0.85 oz) instead of 44 ml (1.5 oz). Conversely, visiting Eastern Europe might mean getting a stout 50 ml (1.7 oz) pour, which will change the way cocktails taste and how quickly you feel the buzz.

International Shot Measurement Calculator

In summary, the “standard” shot in the United States is 1.5 ounces, and that’s the measure most recipes and bartenders use unless specified otherwise. Whether you’re shaking up drinks at home, following a recipe from a London mixologist, or sipping tequila in Mexico, knowing how many ounces are in a shot ensures your cocktails turn out just as intended. And remember, no matter where you pour it, a shot always brings people together over good drinks and good times. Follow us on social media for more tips, pouring tricks, and mixology know-how. And don’t miss our delicious collection of cocktail recipes to put your shot-pouring skills to the test.