Alcohol unit calculator
You can use our alcohol units calculator to find out how many units are in your drink. The alcohol units we show are intended as a rough guide only, and are not a substitute for common sense.
If you're driving, don't drink. If you're drinking, don't drive.
Alcohol units calculator
1 of 3This is what you've been drinking:
Type |
Units |
|---|
You've drunk
This is the recommended amount of no more than 14 units per week.
How many units can you drink and drive after?
Despite the legal limits there's simply no hard and fast rule. The rate at which your body absorbs alcohol depends on a number of factors, such as your sex, weight, what you’ve eaten and when, and your stress levels. You can get more info on this at GOV.UK.
Because alcohol affects each person differently, there's no fool proof way of drinking and staying under the limit, that’s why you should never drive after any alcoholic drink.
One person may be okay to drive after one or two drinks, while another is over the drink-drive limit after only one. Don’t forget you could also be well over the limit the next day after a night out, and if you’ve been drinking you should never sleep in your car, because the police view is that you’re still technically in control of the vehicle even if the engine is off. So if the police find you, you could be breathalysed and charged just as if you were driving.
You can get a rough estimate of your blood alcohol content (BAC) level using our morning after calculator.
We'll say it again - if you're driving, then don’t drink any alcohol.
Types of car insurance
Car insurance
Is a legal requirement if you're driving in the UK. Find out more about choosing the right cover at the right price.
Black box car insurance
Lets you prove you're a safe driver, and save money on your policy, even if you're inexperienced or seen as high risk.
Classic car insurance
Offers cover for owners of classic cars. For insurance purposes, a classic car can be any car that’s older than 15 years.
Business car insurance
Covers you if you use your car for work, including travelling between offices or across the country.
Car insurance guides
How do you check tyre pressure and tread depth?
Here's how to make sure your tyres are shipshape.
Tailgating linked to 1 in 8 collisions
When someone's driving too close, it's annoying and even intimidating. We look at the rules that clamp down on tailgaters and what you can do to stop them.
Radar Detectors
We look at speed camera and radar detectors and talk through the laws around their use in the UK.
The 5 most common motoring offences
We look at the most common motoring offences in 2025
Countries that drive on the left
Which countries drive on the left? And why do they do it? We offer some advice if you haven’t driven on the left hand side of the road before and what to expect.
Staying calm during bank holiday traffic
Heading away for the bank holiday and worried about the traffic? Learn how to manage frustration, practise defensive driving and find a calmer mindset with these practical tips.
cookie usage