Practice Consideration
Calculations of Pure Alcohol Mass
Pure alcohol mass in a serving can be calculated if the concentration, density and volume of the drink are known.
Pure alcohol mass = volume × (alcohol by volume [ABV] × volumetric mass density [VMD])
E.g. 0.35 litre glass of beer with ABV of 5.5% has 15.2 grams of pure alcohol Pure alcohol has density of 789 g/l at 20°C
0.35 l × (0.055 × 789 g/l) = 15.2 grams of alcohol per serve
Pure alcohol mass = volume × (alcohol by volume [ABV] × volumetric mass density [VMD])
E.g. 0.35 litre glass of beer with ABV of 5.5% has 15.2 grams of pure alcohol Pure alcohol has density of 789 g/l at 20°C
0.35 l × (0.055 × 789 g/l) = 15.2 grams of alcohol per serve
Updated September 14, 2016