A few drinks are okay right?

A couple of beers while you catch up on the day’s news or maybe it’s a cheeky glass or 3 of wine that you discovered last summer. Neither of these daily habits are anything to worry about right?

Or maybe you don’t drink during the week and it’s only the odd weekend where you have the family over for a BBQ. You’ll probably have a few, but it’s not an everyday thing so nothing to worry about right?

We don’t like being the bearer of bad news, but just a few, could be a few too many.

How many is too many?

Well that depends on the size of your drink and what you're drinking. And this seems to be where a lot of us get caught out as not all drinks are equal.

Alcohol affects everyone in different ways and it’s important to know that drinking is never completely safe.

The Australian Alcohol Guidelines* recommend:

  • healthy adults should drink no more than 10 standard drinks in a week, and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day
  • people under 18, and women who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding shouldn't drink any alcohol.

*Australian Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Alcohol (NHMRC 2020)

What is a standard drink size?

The easiest way to keep track of how much you're drinking is to count your standard drinks. One standard drink has about 10 grams of pure alcohol. We've got some examples below - these are approximate measures.

  • Light beer

    425ml 2.7% alc/vol

  • Sparkling wine

    100ml 13% alc/vol

  • Mid-strength beer

    375ml 3.5% alc/vol

  • Wine

    100ml 13% alc/vol

  • Full-strength beer

    285ml 4.9% alc/vol

  • Regular cider

    285ml 4.9% alc/vol

  • Pre-mixed spirits

    275ml 5% alc/vol

  • Straight spirits

    30ml 40% alc/vol

More information

Watch the campaign videos

Woman on phone to Mum: ‘Yeah, I can’t wait, Mum…I gotta go’

VO: You might like to treat yourself with a cocktail sometimes

VO: But be honest with yourself

VO: Keep an eye on your drinking

VO: Know how many is too many

VO: Search ‘your drinking’ for more

VO: Authorised by the QLD Government, Brisbane

VO: You might like a beer or two on occasions

VO: But be honest with yourself

VO: Keep an eye on your drinking

VO: Know how many is too many

VO: Search ‘your drinking’ for more

Authorised by the QLD Government, Brisbane

Last updated: March 2023