What is the standard amount of alcohol per standard drink?

• A. 5 g
• B. 10 g
• C. 15 g
• D. 20 g

Answer: (B)

A standard drink represents a fixed amount of pure alcohol to help compare how much alcohol you’re consuming across different beverages. In Australia, that fixed amount is 10 grams of ethanol per standard drink. This makes it easier to estimate intake when you’re choosing beers, wines, or spirits, since each drink can contain different volumes and alcohol percentages.

So why 10 grams? It’s a practical, easy-to-use unit that aligns roughly with common servings: a small glass of wine, a standard can or bottle of beer, or a standard shot of spirits are all designed to be around one standard drink, depending on the exact ABV. The key point is that the standard drink is worth 10 grams of pure alcohol, providing a consistent measure to compare different drinks. The other options would correspond to less than one standard drink (5 g), more than one but less than two (15 g), or about two standard drinks (20 g).