How Many Calories in a Gram of Alcohol?
Quick Answer
There are 7 calories (kcal) in a gram of alcohol.
1 g ethanol = 7 kcal
Understanding the Conversion
Ethanol (alcohol) provides 7 kilocalories per gram — between fat (9) and carbs/protein (4). Alcohol is never listed on US nutrition labels but represents significant 'hidden' calories in alcoholic drinks. A 5% ABV, 12 oz beer contains about 14g of alcohol = 98 kcal from alcohol alone.
Formula
1 g ethanol = 7 kcal
Common Examples
| Description | Value |
|---|---|
| A standard drink (14g alcohol) | 98 kcal from alcohol |
| A glass of wine (11% ABV, 5 oz) | ≈98 kcal from alcohol |
| A shot of vodka (1.5 oz, 40%) | ≈97 kcal from alcohol |
Quick Reference Table
Use this table for quick conversions between gram of alcohol and calories:
| gram of alcohol | calories |
|---|---|
| 1 | 7 |
| 2 | 14 |
| 5 | 35 |
| 10 | 70 |
| 25 | 175 |
| 50 | 350 |
| 100 | 700 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Calories in a Gram of Alcohol?
There are 7 calories (kcal) in a gram of alcohol. Ethanol (alcohol) provides 7 kilocalories per gram — between fat (9) and carbs/protein (4). Alcohol is never listed on US nutrition labels but represents significant 'hidden' calories in alcoholic drinks. A 5% ABV, 12 oz beer contains about 14g of alcohol = 98 kcal from alcohol alone.
What is the formula to convert gram of alcohol to calories?
The formula is: 1 g ethanol = 7 kcal. To convert, multiply the number of gram of alcohols by 7 to get the equivalent in calories.
How do I convert calories to gram of alcohol?
To convert calories to gram of alcohol, divide the number of calories by 7. For example, 35 calories equals 5 gram of alcohols.