US Trends

how many mls in a shot

A standard shot is usually about 44 ml (1.5 US fluid ounces), but it varies by country and context.

Quick Scoop: How Many mLs in a Shot?

  • In the US , a typical shot is about 44 ml (1.5 fl oz).
  • In many places worldwide, a “standard” shot falls roughly in the 30–44 ml range.
  • Some countries use 35–36 ml (for example, common whiskey measures in Ireland are around 35.5 ml).
  • A double shot is usually about 60–90 ml , depending on local norms and the bar.

So if you just need a practical answer for recipes or casual measuring and you’re in a US-style context, use about 44 ml for one shot.

Why It’s Confusing

The term “shot” isn’t a strict scientific unit; it’s more of a bar convention that shifted over time and differs by country.

Because of that, bars, cocktail books, and home recipes might each assume a slightly different volume when they say “1 shot.”

  • Some recipes quietly assume 30 ml.
  • Many US cocktail guides assume 45 ml (1.5 fl oz).
  • Certain European venues pour closer to 20–40 ml per shot.

If you’re following a specific recipe, it’s safest to check whether it defines “a shot” in ml or ounces.

Shot, Double, and Shooter

  • Single shot : ~30–44 ml in most places; US standard ≈ 44 ml.
  • Double shot : Often 60–90 ml , roughly 2× a standard shot.
  • Shooter (mixed shot): Commonly 60 or 90 ml , sometimes more, since it may combine several spirits or liqueurs.

Shot glasses themselves often hold 52–60 ml (1.75–2 fl oz), leaving a bit of extra space above a standard pour.

Fast Kitchen / Home Bar Tip

If you don’t have a shot glass and just need a quick substitute:

  • Treat 1 shot ≈ 45 ml for most US-style recipes.
  • That’s about 3 tablespoons (since 1 US tablespoon is close to 15 ml).

This approximation keeps most cocktails tasting as intended, even if the local legal definition of a “shot” is a little different. TL;DR:
For everyday use, when someone asks “how many mls in a shot,” the best practical answer is about 44–45 ml for a standard shot , knowing that some countries use slightly smaller or larger measures.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.