How Many ml in a Shot? US, UK, Ireland & Global Shot Sizes

Anyone who’s ever ordered a shot at a bar in a different country knows the feeling: you expect a small glass of something strong, but the amount can vary wildly — from 25 ml in the UK to 44 ml in the US. That difference isn’t random; it’s shaped by centuries of trade laws, cultural habits, and consumer protection rules.

US standard shot: 44 ml (1.5 fl oz) ·
UK single shot (England/Wales): 25 ml ·
UK single shot (Scotland/NI): 35 ml ·
Ireland standard shot: 35.5 ml ·
Australia standard shot: 30 ml ·
Japan standard shot: 60 ml

Five key measurements define the global landscape of shot volumes, from the smallest European pours to Japan’s generous 60 ml standard.

Is a shot 25 or 50 ml?

UK legal definition of a single shot

• UK law defines a single shot as 25 ml or 35 ml (Scotland/Northern Ireland) for spirits on-premises (UK legislation.gov.uk (official statute database))

The implication: 25 ml is the default in England and Wales, 35 ml in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Neither is 50 ml for a single.

When 50 ml is a double shot

• 50 ml is typically a double shot in the UK, representing two 25 ml measures (Drinkaware (UK alcohol education charity))

The catch: a double in England (50 ml) still less than a single in Japan (60 ml). Volume is relative to local standards.

This disconnect means home bartenders may inadvertently serve double the legal pub measure if they rely on typical home glassware.

How many ml is a shot in the UK?

England and Wales: 25 ml

• UK single shot: 25 ml in England/Wales (UK legislation.gov.uk)

Scotland and Northern Ireland: 35 ml

• UK single shot: 35 ml in Scotland/Northern Ireland (UK legislation.gov.uk)

Double shot measures

• Double shot is 50 ml or 70 ml respectively (Drinkaware)

What this means: A 25 ml shot of 40% ABV contains exactly 1 UK alcohol unit. A 35 ml shot contains 1.4 units (Drinkaware unit calculator).

How many ml is a shot in Ireland?

Ireland standard shot: 35.5 ml

• Ireland standard shot is 35.5 ml (1.2 fl oz) (Gov.ie (Irish government publication))

Comparison to UK measures

• Ireland’s 35.5 ml is nearly identical to Scotland’s 35 ml, but slightly larger. Both are well above England’s 25 ml.

The trade-off: Irish pub measures are generous by UK standards, but still far from the US 44 ml.

The lesson: always verify local shot sizes when traveling to avoid unintentional over‑pouring or under‑serving.

Is a shot 15 ml or 30 ml?

Common 30 ml shots (Australia, many European countries)

• 30 ml is common in Australia and parts of Europe (Queensland Government (liquor licensing authority))
• New Zealand also uses 30 ml as a standard spirit serve (New Zealand Ministry of Health)

15 ml is a half shot or a jigger measurement

• 15 ml is not a standard shot size for spirits. It corresponds to 0.5 fl oz, typically a half-jigger in bartending (Difford’s Guide (cocktail encyclopedia))

The pattern: Outside of cocktail recipes, 15 ml has no legal status as a shot measure. If a bar tries to sell you a “15 ml shot”, you’re getting less than half the standard.

How many ml in a shot in the US and other countries?

US: 44 ml (1.5 fl oz)

• US standard shot is 44 ml (Liquor.com)

Japan: 60 ml

• Japan standard shot is 60 ml (Liquor.com)

Canada: 44 ml

• Canada commonly uses 44 ml (1.5 fl oz) (The Canadian Encyclopedia (national reference))

Australia: 30 ml

• Australia standard spirit serve is 30 ml (Queensland Government)

Continental Europe: 20–40 ml

• Continental Europe varies widely, from 20 ml in some countries up to 40 ml. No single standard exists.

Seven countries, one pattern: the legal definition of a shot varies by as much as 40 ml.

The term “shot glass” is not a legal unit of measure; actual volume depends on jurisdiction (NIST (US measurement authority)).

How many ml in a shot of vodka, whiskey, tequila, gin?

Vodka shot sizes globally

• Shot volume for spirits depends on country, not type. A vodka shot in the US is 44 ml; in the UK it’s 25 or 35 ml.

Whiskey shot sizes

• Same principle: a whiskey shot in Japan is 60 ml, in Scotland 35 ml.

Tequila and gin shot sizes

• No difference by spirit. A gin shot in Ireland is 35.5 ml, same as any other spirit.

Espresso shot (not a spirit)

• Espresso shot is about 30 ml (single) and follows a different standard (coffee brewing).

The trade-off: Spirit type doesn’t change volume, but the country you’re in does. That’s the only variable.

“A shot glass is not a legal unit of measure; its volume depends on the jurisdiction and the product sold.”

NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

“In Ireland, a standard spirit measure is commonly 35.5 ml, which is very close to the UK’s 35 ml legal measure.”

Gov.ie (Irish government)

“The US shot glass is commonly treated as 1.5 fluid ounces, about 44 ml.”

Liquor.com (drink industry reference)

For any bartender or home enthusiast, the choice is clear: check your local legal measure and pour accordingly, or risk serving a double when a single was expected. The difference between 25 ml and 44 ml is more than a number—it’s the line between a responsible serve and an unintended extra unit.