How Many ml Is a Shot of Vodka? Global Measurements Explained

If you’ve ever wondered how many ml is a shot of vodka, the answer isn’t as universal as you might expect. In different countries—and even different bars—the size of a “shot” varies. This matters whether you’re mixing cocktails, tracking alcohol intake, or simply curious about global drinking culture.

As someone who writes about food, beverage standards, and hospitality measurements, I’ll walk you through exactly how many milliliters are in a vodka shot depending on where you are, why shot sizes differ, and how this impacts drink strength.

What Is a Shot of Vodka?

A “shot” is a quick-serving unit of alcohol typically poured straight into a small glass. In the U.S. and many other places, it’s most commonly vodka, whiskey, tequila, or rum.

But here’s the important point:
A shot is a serving convention, not a legally standardized universal measurement.

That’s why a shot of vodka in London may be almost half the size of a shot served in New York or Moscow.

Standard Shot Sizes by Country

Here’s a simple comparison table of the most common shot measurements around the world:

Country / Region	Standard Shot Size	Equivalent in ml	Notes
United States	1.5 fl oz	~44 ml	Widely accepted “standard shot”
United Kingdom	25 ml	25 ml	Legal single measure
United Kingdom (large)	35 ml	35 ml	Optional bar measure
Russia	50 ml	50 ml	Traditional vodka pour
Australia	30 ml	30 ml	One standard shot
Canada	1.5 fl oz	~44 ml	Same as U.S.
Japan	30 ml	30 ml	Common pour
Germany	20–40 ml	20–40 ml	Varies by establishment

This confirms the key takeaway:
A shot doesn’t mean the same quantity everywhere.

Why Shot Sizes Vary

Shot sizes differ for three main reasons:

1. Local alcohol regulations

Countries like the UK legally define spirits measures, often setting 25 ml or 35 ml options.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has no national rule, but a cultural standard of 1.5 oz emerged through industry practice.

2. Cultural drinking traditions

In Russia, vodka is central to social culture—so a larger 50 ml shot feels natural.
In Germany, aperitifs or digestifs may be served in much smaller 20 ml pours.

3. Bar choice or pricing

Some establishments deliberately serve larger or smaller shots based on:

drink pricing structure
alcohol cost
customer expectations
bartender discretion

This is why you may see terms like:

single
double
pony shot
jigger

Each can mean a different volume.

How Many ml Is a Double Shot of Vodka?

A double shot is simply twice a standard shot, calculated by country.

Examples:

U.S. double shot = 88 ml
U.K. double shot (25 ml) = 50 ml
Russian double shot = 100 ml
Australian double shot = 60 ml

This matters when you order at a bar—or when you think you’ve “only had two drinks today.”

How Alcohol Content Factors In: ABV and Strength

A typical vodka is 40% ABV (alcohol by volume).

That means:

In the U.S., one 44 ml shot contains about 17.6 ml of pure ethanol.
In the UK, a 25 ml shot contains 10 ml of pure ethanol.
In Russia, a 50 ml shot contains 20 ml of pure ethanol.

So if you are comparing drinks across borders, it’s not just the number of shots—it’s the volume of alcohol consumed.

How Many Shots Are in a Vodka Bottle?

Using a standard 750 ml bottle (common in the U.S., UK, Canada, Europe):

U.S. shots (44 ml) = ~17 shots per bottle
UK shots (25 ml) = 30 shots per bottle
Russian shots (50 ml) = 15 shots per bottle

For larger bottles:

1 liter bottle = ~22 U.S. shots
1.75 liter bottle = ~39 U.S. shots

This is helpful when:

planning drinks for parties
stocking a bar
measuring consumption for recipes
estimating cost per shot

Measuring a Shot at Home

If you don’t have a shot glass, here are easy equivalents:

1 U.S. shot (44 ml) = about 3 tablespoons
25 ml UK shot = about 1.5 tablespoons
50 ml Russian shot = about 3.3 tablespoons

If you’re mixing cocktails, using a measuring spoon or a small kitchen scale (ml = grams for liquids like vodka) provides accuracy.

Common Shot Terminology Explained

Jigger

Bar measuring tool—commonly 1.5 oz on one side and 1 oz on the other.

Pony shot

1 fl oz (30 ml), smaller than a standard U.S. pour.

Standard drink

Defined for health tracking purposes, often not the same as a bar “shot.”

For example:

U.S. standard drink = 14 g of pure alcohol
UK standard drink (“unit”) = 8 g of pure alcohol

This is why one U.S. shot is about 1.5 “units” more potent than a standard UK shot.

Does the Vodka Brand Matter?

When measuring ml, the brand doesn’t change volume.
But ABV can vary:

Standard vodka: 40%
Stronger vodkas: 43–50%
Flavored vodkas: often 35–37.5%

So a shot of flavored vodka may have noticeably less alcohol than one of a premium 50% ABV spirit.

Should You Always Ask the Bartender?

Yes, especially when:

ordering shots in a new country
buying a “double”
tracking alcohol intake
comparing prices

A polite, simple question like:
“What size of shot do you pour here?”
can save a lot of confusion (and over-consumption).

FAQs About Shot Sizes and Vodka

1. How many ml is a shot of vodka in the U.S.?

About 44 ml (1.5 fluid ounces).

2. How many ml is a shot of vodka in the UK?

Typically 25 ml, although some bars serve 35 ml.

3. Why are shots smaller in the UK than in the U.S.?

UK alcohol units are measured differently, and regulations encourage smaller pours.

4. Is 50 ml a shot?

Yes—in Russia and some European contexts, 50 ml is a standard shot.

5. How many shots is too much?

That depends on weight, metabolism, food intake, tolerance, and legal drinking guidelines. However, more than 3–4 shots in a short period can lead to quick intoxication for many people.