Curious how much mileage you’ll get out of that bottle you just bought? Let’s break down how many shots are in a fifth of liquor.
To answer this, we’ve got to understand some lingo. What do we mean by “shots” and “fifths?”
What Is a Fifth?
A fifth refers to a bottle that holds one-fifth of a U.S. gallon. Today, that standard has been rounded to 750 milliliters (ml). Most common liquor bottles on shelves are sold in this size.
So, whenever someone says “a fifth of liquor,” they’re almost always talking about a 750ml bottle.
What Is a Shot?
Believe it or not, a shot isn’t a perfectly universal measurement. Depending on where you are (and even the bar you’re in), shot sizes vary. But here are the standards:
- U.S. Standard Shot: 1.25–1.5 ounces (about 37–44 ml)
- Jiggers (bartender’s tool): One side is usually 1 oz (30 ml), the other is 1.5 oz (44 ml)
So, How Many Shots are in a Fifth?
Now comes the math:
- One fifth = 750 ml
- One shot = 40 ml (average)
- 750 ÷ 40 = 18.75
That means a fifth contains about 18–19 shots of liquor.
Shots Calculator
Use the calculator below to figure out exactly how many shots are in any bottle size you have:
Enter your bottle size and it will tell you how many shots you can get out of it.
Shots Calculator
Default: 40 ml per shot.
Bottle & Shot Size
Hints: A “fifth” is 750 ml. A “handle” is 1,750 ml. “Nips/minis” are 50 ml.
Result
Other Bottle Sizes and Their Shot Counts
Liquor doesn’t just come in fifths. There are smaller and larger bottles you’ll often see. Here’s a quick breakdown using our 40ml-per-shot standard:
Number of Shots in Different Bottle Sizes
| Bottle Size (ml) | Slang Name | Shots |
|---|---|---|
| 50 ml | Nip/Mini | 1-1.25 shots |
| 200 ml | Half Pint | 5 shots |
| 375 ml | Pint | 9 shots |
| 750 ml | Fifth | 18-19 shots |
| 1000 ml | Liter | 25 shots |
| 1750 ml | Handle | 43-44 shots |
Knowing how many shots are in a bottle helps you better plan cocktails for parties, budget your purchases, and avoid running out of liquor before you expected.
Get a Fifth of Liquor Delivered with Saucey
More of a work-with-your-hands and less of a theoretical-math-type and need to test out these measurements for yourself? We don’t blame you. Get a bottle of your favorite liquor delivered right to your door in as little as 30 minutes with Saucey.
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