Most standard shot glasses hold about 44 ml , which corresponds to 1.5 US fluid ounces and is treated as a “standard shot” in many bars and recipes.

How Many ml in a Shot Glass?

Quick Scoop

In practice, a shot glass is designed to hold a standard shot with a little extra room on top. That means:

  • Standard US shot: About 44 ml (1.5 fl oz).
  • Typical shot glass capacity: Often 50–60 ml so it can comfortably hold a 44 ml pour without spilling.
  • Rounded rule of thumb:
    • If you’re following US-style recipes, assume 45 ml ≈ 1 shot.

Think of it this way: the pour is usually 44–45 ml, but the glass itself is usually a bit bigger, often up to 60 ml.

Different Countries, Different “Shot” Sizes

The exact “shot” size changes by country, bar, and even local law, so the number of ml in a shot glass isn’t globally fixed.

Common patterns:

  • Many places use something close to 44 ml as a standard single shot, especially in US-style measurements.
  • Some European countries use smaller or larger measures (for example, 20 ml, 30 ml, 40 ml, or 50 ml), so a “shot glass” there may be sized to match these local standards.

If you’re reading a cocktail recipe online in 2026, it’s usually assuming the US 1.5 oz ≈ 44 ml shot unless it explicitly says otherwise.

Handy Kitchen Conversions

If you don’t have a shot glass but you have measuring spoons or cups, this helps:

  • 1 shot (US standard):
    • ≈ 44 ml
    • ≈ 3 tablespoons (since 1 US tablespoon is about 15 ml)
  • Double shot: Often around 60 ml (2 fl oz), which some guides also relate to 1/4 cup in kitchen measures.

So if a recipe says “1 shot of vodka,” measuring 45 ml is a safe, practical choice.

Mini Forum-Style View

If this were a quick forum thread about “how many ml in a shot glass?” you’d see answers like:

“In the US, just treat 1 shot as 1.5 oz, so about 44 ml. Your glass probably holds a bit more than that.”

“Most shot glasses I own are 50–60 ml, but I still pour only about 45 ml for a standard shot.”

Simple Takeaway (TL;DR)

  • A standard shot : about 44 ml.
  • A typical shot glass : often 50–60 ml capacity, but you only fill it to around 44–45 ml for a standard shot.

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