Ever stood at a bar, watching a bartender free-pour with that cool, detached confidence, and wondered if you’re actually getting what you paid for? It’s a fair question. You're staring at a tiny piece of glassware. It looks standard. It feels standard. But then you go to a different city, or maybe fly across the ocean, and suddenly that "standard" shot looks suspiciously large or annoyingly small.
So, how many millilitres are in a shot glass?
If you want the quick, dirty, "American" answer: it's 44 ml. But honestly, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Depending on where you are standing on this planet, a "shot" could be anywhere from a measly 20 ml to a whopping 60 ml. It’s a mess. A beautiful, boozy, confusing mess.
The Global Metric Headache
In the United States, we don't really have a federal law that dictates the size of a shot. Can you believe that? The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services is one of the few places with strict rules, mandating a 1.5-ounce pour (which is roughly 44.36 ml). Most of the rest of the country just follows suit because it’s convenient for inventory.
But head over to the United Kingdom. If you order a "single" in London, you’re likely getting 25 ml. That’s almost half of what you’d get in a heavy-handed dive bar in New York. If the pub is feeling generous, they might use 35 ml measures, but they have to display a sign telling you which one they use. It’s regulated. It's precise. It’s very British.
Why the difference actually matters
Think about your liver. And your wallet. If you’re following a cocktail recipe from an old European book but using a standard American shot glass, your drink is going to be incredibly stiff. You’ll be hammered before the appetizers arrive.
- Japan: Usually 30 ml for a single.
- Australia: 30 ml is the standard, though "double shots" are common.
- Germany: Often 20 ml for schnapps, but 40 ml for other spirits.
- Russia: Look, a "stopka" is traditionally 100 ml, though modern bars usually stick to 50 ml. That’s a lot of vodka.
The Anatomy of the Glass Itself
Not all shot glasses are created equal. You’ve got your "cheater" glasses. These are the ones with the thick, heavy glass bottoms. They look like they hold two ounces, but the interior cavity is narrow. It’s an optical illusion designed to save the bar money.
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Then you have the pony shot. This is a tiny, 1-ounce (30 ml) glass. You usually see these in older dessert wine service or for very expensive liqueurs where the cost per ml is sky-high.
And then there's the "jigger." If you’re serious about your home bar, you aren't using a souvenir glass from Las Vegas. You’re using a stainless steel jigger. Most of these are double-sided. The large end is a "jigger" (usually 1.5 oz or 44 ml) and the small end is a "pony" (1 oz or 30 ml).
How to measure without a scale
If you're stuck in a kitchen and need to know how many millilitres are in a shot glass you found in the back of the cupboard, use a tablespoon.
A standard US tablespoon is about 15 ml.
One shot (44 ml) is basically three tablespoons.
If you fill your shot glass and it only takes two tablespoons to hit the brim, you’ve got a small 30 ml glass. If it takes four, you’re looking at a 60 ml "double" or a large European pour. It’s a simple trick, but it works every time.
Blood Alcohol and the "Standard Drink"
This is where things get a bit more serious. Organizations like the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) define a "standard drink" as 14 grams of pure alcohol.
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In terms of volume, that usually translates to 1.5 ounces (44 ml) of 80-proof distilled spirits.
If you’re at a bar that pours 60 ml shots—which many craft cocktail bars do to ensure the spirit "cuts through" the citrus and syrups—you are actually drinking 1.3 standard drinks every time you tip your head back. Do that three times and you aren't just "buzzed." You’re legally intoxicated in most jurisdictions.
The discrepancy in how many millilitres are in a shot glass isn't just a quirk of history; it’s a public health variable.
The Rise of the Metric Shot
Slowly but surely, the world is moving toward metric. Even in the US, spirits are sold in 750 ml bottles, not fifths of a gallon anymore.
When you see a bartender using a graduated cylinder or a precise metric jigger, they aren't just being pretentious. They are trying to maintain consistency. A 5 ml difference in a Negroni can completely ruin the balance between the gin and the bitter Campari.
Common capacities you'll encounter
- 20 ml: The "Schnapsglas" common in Northern Europe.
- 30 ml: The standard Australian and Japanese "single."
- 44 ml: The classic American 1.5 oz pour.
- 50 ml: Common in many European countries and often used for "double" minis on airplanes.
- 60 ml: A "Texas shot" or a standard double in many US establishments.
Tips for the Home Bartender
If you want to be accurate, stop using the souvenir glasses. Most of those are 2 oz (59 ml) because they want the graphics to look big, but people pour to the top and get way more alcohol than they intended.
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Instead, buy a Japanese-style jigger. They are tall, easy to pour without spilling, and usually have internal markings for 15 ml, 22 ml, and 30 ml.
Wait, what about the weight?
If you really want to be a nerd about it, you can use a coffee scale. Since most spirits have a density close to water (not exactly, but close enough for a Tuesday night), 1 ml roughly equals 1 gram.
If you pour a shot and your scale says 42 grams, you’ve got about 44 ml of liquid allowing for the density of the ethanol.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Drink
Stop guessing. If you are tracking your intake or trying to master a recipe, follow these steps:
- Calibrate your glassware: Take that shot glass you use every night and fill it with three level tablespoons of water. If it overflows, your "shot" is actually smaller than standard. If there's room left, you’ve been over-pouring.
- Check the proof: A 44 ml shot of 40% ABV vodka is one thing. A 44 ml shot of 60% ABV Navy Strength gin is an entirely different beast.
- Use a Jigger: It’s the only way to ensure your drinks taste the same every time you make them.
- Watch for the "Wash Line": Most professional glassware isn't meant to be filled to the absolute brim. The "wash line" is usually about 5-10 mm below the rim. If you fill it to the top, you're likely adding an extra 5-10 ml of liquid.
Understanding exactly how many millilitres are in a shot glass takes the guesswork out of the bar experience. Whether you're trying to stay under the limit or just trying to make the perfect Margarita, the math matters. Next time you're out, take a look at the glass. Now you know what's actually inside.