Low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines
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Standard drink
A standard drink is a measure of how much pure alcohol you are drinking. It varies based on the concentration of alcohol in a beverage.
In Canada, a standard drink is 17.05 millilitres or 13.45 grams of pure alcohol. This is the equivalent of:
- a bottle of beer (12 oz., 341 ml, 5% alcohol)
- a bottle of cider (12 oz., 341 ml, 5% alcohol)
- a glass of wine (5 oz., 142 ml, 12% alcohol)
- a shot glass of spirits (1.5 oz., 43 ml, 40% alcohol)
Canada's low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines
Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines can help you make informed decisions about drinking. The guidelines recommend setting limits to help you reduce the acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) health risks of alcohol use.
It is important to keep in mind that:
- the intention of these guidelines is not to encourage people who abstain (for cultural, spiritual, health or other reasons) to start drinking
- these are "low-risk" guidelines, not "no-risk" guidelines. Any amount of alcohol consumption can have risks to your health
The guidelines for consumption limits
Women:
- limit alcohol to no more than:
- 2 standard drinks per day
- 10 standard drinks per week
- 3 standard drinks on special occasions
- avoid drinking alcohol on some days
Men:
- limit alcohol to no more than:
- 3 standard drinks per day
- 15 standard drinks per week
- 4 standard drinks on special occasions
- avoid drinking alcohol on some days
Pregnant women:
- avoid drinking alcohol
Youth, with parental consent:
- limit alcohol to:
- no more than twice weekly
- no more than 1 or 2 standard drinks each time
