In the United States, a standard shot is 1.5 oz of liquor.

Quick Scoop: Shot Size Basics

  • Most US bars and recipes use 1.5 fluid ounces as a “standard shot.”
  • Some places may pour closer to 1.25 oz or up to 2 oz , but 1.5 oz is the usual baseline.
  • In many other countries, a “shot” is smaller, often around 1 oz or about 25–30 ml.

Handy measuring tip

  • If you don’t have a shot glass, you can estimate a standard US shot (1.5 oz) as about 3 tablespoons.

If a recipe says “1 shot,” and you’re in or following US measurements, assume 1.5 oz unless told otherwise.

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