How Many Ounces in a Pint of Beer? 5 Different Countries Absolute Pints

We have discussed the number of shots in a pint and other beer measurement sizes. However, for today, we want to know how many ounces in a pint of beer.

A pint of beer is a commonly consumed beverage all around the world, and it’s crucial to understand its size and measurement to have a standard serving size. The measurement of a pint of beer can vary depending on the location, and this article provides comprehensive information on the size of a pint of beer in the US and UK. We will also compare the different measurement sizes for beer that you can get in your bar or restaurant.

I have measured pints in my craft brewery business to the point of pouring it in my sleep. We have previously discussed the ounces in a pitcher of beer, let me help you know the different beer measurement sizes that are used in a pour or growler among others.

How Many Ounces in a Pint of Beer? US, UK, France and other countries ounces in a pint

How Many Ounces in a Pint of Beer?

In the United States, a pint of beer is equivalent to 16 fluid ounces or 473 milliliters. This measurement is known as the US liquid pint, and it’s a standard measurement that’s widely used in the country. In the United Kingdom, an imperial pint of beer is equivalent to 20 fluid ounces or 592 milliliters, which is known as the Imperial Pint. This measurement is commonly used in the UK and is considered a standard size for serving beer.

As we have described in our previous articles, a standard serving of beer contains 12 fluid ounces (354ml). This means that a pint of beer in the US contains one and a third of standard beer pours (can or bottle serving).

In the United States, a pint of beer is defined as 16 fluid ounces. This is based on the US standard of measurement, known as the US liquid pint, adopted widely across the country. This means that when you order a pint of beer in a bar or restaurant in the US, you will typically receive 16 fluid ounces of liquid.

Whether you are in the US or UK, it is always a good idea to double-check the serving size before ordering a pint of beer, especially if you are traveling or visiting a new location.

The table below shows the standard measurements using the US metrics but comparing them with the imperial pint used in the UK and pints in other countries.

MeasurementSize in OuncesSize in Milliliters
US Liquid Pint16 ounces473 ml
Imperial Pint (UK)20 ounces592 ml
Half Pint8 ounces236 ml
Third Pint5.3 ounces158 ml
Quarter Pint4 ounces118 ml
Pint (Germany)11 ounces330 ml
Pint (France)19 ounces570 ml
Joug or Scottish pint57 ounces1696 ml

How many ounces are in an Imperial Pint (UK)?

A pint of beer is a commonly used unit of measurement for serving alcoholic drinks, particularly in bars and pubs. However, the amount of fluid ounces contained in a pint of beer can vary depending on where you are in the world.

In contrast, the imperial pint is used in the United Kingdom and other countries that follow the imperial system of measurement (following the passing of the Weights and Measures Act of 1824). The Weights and Measures Act of 1824 stipulates that draft beers and ciders can only be sold using the imperial pint measurement.

An imperial pint is equivalent to 20 fluid ounces, which means that a pint of beer in the UK is more voluminous than its counterpart in the US.

This can be a surprise for those who are used to the smaller serving size in the US and may confuse those who are not familiar with the imperial system of measurement.

It is important to note that while the imperial pint is still used in the UK and other countries, many bars and restaurants have switched to using the US liquid pint to standardize their serving sizes. This means that even if you are in the UK, you may still receive a pint of beer that is equivalent to 16 fluid ounces.

Decoding Brew Measurements

You can measure your beer in ounces or milliliters. To convert your pint to milliliters, you need to multiply the pints by 473.176473. To convert a pint to ounces, you should multiply the pints by 16. The two conversions are as per the formulas below:

Milliliters (Ml) = Pint x 473.176473

Fluid ounces (Oz.) = Pint x 16

If you are measuring using the shots, a pint of beer contains over ten and a half 1.5-ounce shots. The 1.5 ounces shot is the most commonly used shot in the United States. Note that the alcohol content in the pint is not equivalent to the alcohol content in this number of liquor shots since the ABV of distilled liquor is markedly higher.

Different beer measurement sizes and their conversion to ounces

A pint is abbreviated as Pt. However, with the pint being a short word, very few recipes, restaurants, or bars use the Pt abbreviation to denote the pint. Different beer measurements and their size in ounces are listed below:

PintsConverting Multiple American Pints to Fluid Ounces (oz.)Converting Multiple American Pints to Milliliters (ml)
Pint16 fl. oz. 473 ml
2 pints32 fl. oz.946 ml
3 pints48 fl. oz.1420 ml
4 pints64 fl. oz.1893 ml
5 pints80 fl. oz.2366 ml
6 pints96 fl. oz.2839 ml
7 pints112 fl. oz.3312 ml
8 pints128 fl. oz.3785 ml
9 pints (Gallon)144 fl. oz.4259 ml
10 pints160 fl. oz.4732 ml
20 pints320 fl. oz.9464 ml

Pint glass

A pint glass is a type of glassware commonly used to serve beer. It is named after its ability to hold a standard pint of beer, scilicet approximately 16 fluid ounces in the United States and 20 fluid ounces in the United Kingdom. The cylindrical shape of the glass extends upwards, allowing for a generous head of foam on top of the beer.

In bars and pubs, a British-style imperial stout will typically be served in a pint glass containing 20 ounces of beer. However, domestic beers may be served in smaller glasses, ranging from 14 to 16 ounces. Some pint glasses are designed with a handle for a more comfortable grip, and some may have markings on the glass to indicate where to stop pouring to leave room for foam.

It’s worth noting that some pint glasses have various markings on the glass, such as “2/2”, “⅓”, “3!”, or “3”. These markings are used by bartenders to gauge the proper pour and help ensure a consistent serving size. Some glasses may also have the letter “M” beside the markings to indicate the measurement year.

The pint glass is an essential item for serving beer. Its cylindrical shape and markings make it a versatile and practical choice for bartenders, while its size and design allow for a comfortable and enjoyable drinking experience for customers. Whether you’re enjoying a classic imperial stout or a refreshing domestic beer, a pint glass is the perfect vessel to hold your drink.

Pint glass: How to pour a pint of beer into a glass

How to pour a proper pint of beer

Pouring a proper pint of beer is an art that requires patience and practice. The following are the steps to pour a proper pint of beer using a clean and dry glass:

  1. Tilt the pint glass: Before pouring the beer, make sure to tilt the glass at a 45-degree angle.
  2. Pour your beer slowly at the center: Once you’ve tilted the glass, start pouring the beer slowly, making sure not to overflow the glass. This will ensure there are no splashes or excessive foam.
  3. To give room for foam, ensure that you only fill up to 70 percent of the beer glass (slightly above two-thirds). The foam should be a layer of not more than one inch (2.5 cm) of the beer glass.
  4. Slowly adjust the angle toward the vertical as you pour: As you continue to pour the beer, slowly adjust the angle of the glass toward the vertical. This will help you create a nice foam head on top of the beer.

A pint of beer in the US is equivalent to 16 fluid ounces, while a pint in the UK and other countries that use the imperial metric system is equivalent to 20 fluid ounces. Note that the glass has to be clean and dry since any residues of soap or water can alter the taste of beer.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the measurement of a pint of beer can vary depending on the location, with a US liquid pint equaling 16 fluid ounces and an Imperial Pint in the UK equaling 20 fluid ounces. How many ounces in a pint of beer in different locations is as follows:

  • USA has 16 ounces (473 ml)
  • UK (Imperial pint) has 19 ounces
  • Germany has 11 ounces
  • France has 19 ounces
  • Scotland (Joug) has 57 ounces

It’s important to understand these measurements to have a standard serving size of beer. Pouring a proper pint of beer is an art that requires patience and practice, and by following the steps listed above, you can pour a perfect pint every time.

Sources

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/pints-liters-pots-and-schooners-beer-size-matters

https://manofmany.com/lifestyle/drinks/beer-glass-sizes-in-australia-explained