A standard glass of wine in the US is 5 fluid ounces (about 150 ml). That is the pour used in the federal definition of a "standard drink" for table wine at about 12% alcohol, and it means a regular 750 ml bottle holds about five glasses. Restaurant pours, dessert wines and stronger reds change the math, so the tables below cover the common cases.
Why 5 ounces is the standard pour
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines a US standard drink as any drink containing about 0.6 fl oz, or 14 grams, of pure alcohol. For table wine at around 12% alcohol by volume (ABV), that works out to 5 fl oz. The same amount of alcohol is found in 12 fl oz of regular beer at about 5% ABV and 1.5 fl oz of 80-proof spirits.
The 5 oz figure is a counting unit, not a rule about how much to pour at home. It is useful because it lets you compare drinks and plan quantities. Vinabox does not give health advice; for guidance on drinking and health, see the NIAAA and your doctor.
How many glasses are in a bottle of wine?
| Container | Volume | In fl oz | 5 oz glasses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split (single-serve bottle) | 187 ml | 6.3 fl oz | about 1 |
| Half bottle | 375 ml | 12.7 fl oz | about 2.5 |
| Standard bottle | 750 ml | 25.4 fl oz | about 5 |
| Liter bottle | 1 L | 33.8 fl oz | about 7 |
| Magnum | 1.5 L | 50.7 fl oz | about 10 |
| Standard wine box | 3 L | 101.4 fl oz | about 20 |
| Canned wine | often 250 or 375 ml | 8.5 or 12.7 fl oz | about 1.7 or 2.5 |
Wine bottles in the US are sold in metric sizes, which is why a "fifth" of wine is not exactly a fifth of a gallon. Divide the fluid ounces by your pour size to plan for a party: with 6 oz pours, a 750 ml bottle gives just over four glasses.
Pour sizes by wine style
| Style | Common pour | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Still red, white or rosé | 5 oz (150 ml) | The standard pour for table wine around 12 to 13% ABV. |
| Sparkling wine | 4 to 5 oz (120 to 150 ml) | Flutes are narrow and are usually filled higher; smaller pours keep the wine cold and fizzy. |
| Dessert wine (Sauternes, late harvest) | 2 to 3 oz (60 to 90 ml) | Rich and sweet, served in small glasses. Many come in 375 ml half bottles. |
| Fortified wine (Port, Sherry, Madeira) | about 3 oz (90 ml) | At around 17 to 20% ABV, 3 oz contains roughly the alcohol of one standard drink. |
| Tasting pour | 1 to 2 oz (30 to 60 ml) | Used at wineries and tasting rooms so you can try several wines. |
How alcohol level changes a "standard" glass
The 5 oz rule assumes about 12% ABV. Many California reds are 14% to 15% or more, which means the same pour contains more alcohol. The table shows how large a pour would contain the same 14 grams of alcohol at different strengths (calculated from the NIAAA definition, rounded).
| Wine ABV | Example styles | Pour equal to one standard drink |
|---|---|---|
| 5.5% | Moscato d'Asti | about 11 oz |
| 11% | German Riesling Kabinett, some Vinho Verde | about 5.5 oz |
| 12% | Many whites, Beaujolais, Prosecco | 5 oz |
| 13.5% | Many Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, Bordeaux | about 4.4 oz |
| 14.5% | Many Napa Cabernets, Zinfandels, Malbecs | about 4.1 oz |
| 20% | Port | about 3 oz |
Check the ABV on the label. Federal labeling rules allow some tolerance between the stated and actual alcohol content, so treat the figure as a close guide rather than an exact number. Our guides to Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel explain why some grapes routinely reach higher alcohol.
How big is a pour at a restaurant?
Many US restaurants pour 5 to 6 oz by the glass, and some wine lists offer a smaller 3 oz taste or a larger pour of 8 or 9 oz. Four glasses per bottle is a common restaurant calculation, which is one reason a glass can cost a quarter or more of the bottle price. If the pour size matters to you, ask; many places state it on the menu.
What a 5 oz pour looks like in your glass
Most modern wine glasses hold far more than 5 oz. A typical red wine glass holds 12 to 20 oz or more when filled to the brim, and a white wine glass 10 to 14 oz. A 5 oz pour usually reaches roughly the widest part of the bowl in a standard glass, leaving room to swirl. In a very large Burgundy glass, it can look like very little.
To calibrate your eye, measure 5 oz of water once with a kitchen measuring cup, pour it into your usual glass and note the level. Some glasses have an etched pour line for this reason.
Measuring a pour at home, and the cost per glass
A bar jigger, a kitchen measuring cup or a pour spout with a measured stop all make a 5 oz pour repeatable. Once you know the level in your usual glass, you rarely need to measure again.
Ounces also help compare prices. A $20 bottle works out to about $0.79 per fluid ounce, so roughly $3.94 per 5 oz glass. A $12 glass of the same wine at a restaurant is about three times that, which is normal given service, glassware and overhead, but it explains why a bottle shared by four people is often better value than four glasses. The same logic applies to preservation: the Coravin capsule calculator compares the gas cost per 5 oz pour with the price of the wine.
How much wine to buy for a party
A common rule of thumb for a dinner or party is one glass per guest per hour for the first couple of hours, then about one per hour after that, or roughly half a bottle per wine-drinking guest for an evening. Using 5 oz pours:
- 10 guests for 3 hours, about 25 to 30 glasses: 5 to 6 bottles.
- 20 guests for 3 hours, about 50 to 60 glasses: 10 to 12 bottles.
- A 3 L box replaces four standard bottles, and a magnum two.
Adjust for your crowd, the time of day and whether other drinks are served, and always plan non-alcoholic options and safe rides home. For leftovers, see how long wine lasts after opening; for serving, the serving temperature guide.
Sources and further reading
References checked September 26, 2026:
Continue with how to store wine at home, the food pairing guide and the Coravin capsule calculator, which counts cost per 5 oz pour.
Frequently asked questions about wine pours
How many ounces are in a standard glass of wine?
Five fluid ounces, or about 150 ml. That is the pour used in the NIAAA definition of a US standard drink for wine at about 12% alcohol.
How many glasses of wine are in a bottle?
A standard 750 ml bottle holds 25.4 fl oz, so about five 5 oz glasses. With larger 6 oz restaurant-style pours, you get about four.
How many ounces are in a bottle of wine?
A standard 750 ml bottle contains 25.4 US fluid ounces. A half bottle has 12.7 fl oz and a magnum 50.7 fl oz.
Is a glass of wine at a restaurant 5 or 6 ounces?
It varies. Many US restaurants pour 5 to 6 oz, and some offer smaller tastes or larger 8 to 9 oz pours. Ask if the menu does not say.
How many ounces is a glass of Port or dessert wine?
Fortified wines such as Port are usually served in pours of about 3 oz, and sweet dessert wines in 2 to 3 oz pours, because they are richer and often higher in alcohol.