Standard-drink calculator

How many standard drinks are in a keg of beer?

165.3
standard drinks
165
cans
5%
ABV

A keg of beer holds half barrel (1,984 oz) at about 5% ABV. Run that through the standard-drink formula and it comes to roughly 165.3 US standard drinks — or about 165 cans at a typical 12 oz pour.

The math

standard drinks = volume × ABV% ÷ 0.6

1984 oz × 5% ÷ 0.6 = 165.3

One US standard drink is 0.6 fl oz of pure alcohol (about 14 grams). Want the breakdown for a single serving instead? See the standard-drink calculator or what counts as a standard drink.

Frequently asked questions

How many standard drinks are in a keg of beer?

A keg of beer at half barrel (1,984 oz) and 5% ABV is about 165.3 US standard drinks. That's its 1984 oz of liquid × 5% alcohol ÷ 0.6 oz of pure alcohol per standard drink.

How many cans is that?

Poured at a typical 12 oz can, a keg of beer works out to roughly 165 cans.