Guides / Reference

Shot Glass Measurements & Conversions

A standard shot in the US is 1.5 oz. Simple in theory — but every recipe, every jigger, and every country has a slightly different idea. Here is the full conversion reference so you never second-guess a pour.

How much is one shot?

In the US, one shot equals 1.5 fluid ounces, which is 44 milliliters. This is the standard pour bartenders reach for when a recipe just says “a shot” without specifying.

Other countries measure differently:

• UK: 25 ml (single) or 35 ml (large single)
• Australia: 30 ml (standard nip)
• Japan: 30 ml or 60 ml (called “single” or “double”)
• Germany: 20 ml or 40 ml

When following a recipe, always match the units the recipe uses — a “shot” in a British bartending guide is smaller than one in an American one.

Quick conversions for 1 shot (1.5 oz)

• Milliliters: 44 ml
• Tablespoons: 3 tbsp
• Teaspoons: 9 tsp
• Cups: 3/16 cup (about 0.19 cup)
• Milliliters: 44 ml
• Centiliters: 4.4 cl
• Grams (water/juice basis): 44 g

Common shot glass sizes

Not every shot glass holds 1.5 oz. Here is what you will actually find at bar-supply stores:

• 1 oz — the “pony” shot. 30 ml. Small, traditional, good for a single-spirit sipper.
• 1.5 oz — the US standard. 44 ml. What most recipes assume.
• 2 oz — the large or “double” shot. 59 ml. Common for multi-ingredient shooters that need room for two or three liqueurs.
• 3 oz — a rare oversized shot. 89 ml. Occasionally seen in party settings or for shooter cocktails.

For much more on how the glass affects the drink, see our shot glass sizes and types guide.

Jigger sizes

A jigger is the double-sided measuring cup bartenders use for accuracy. Standard jigger combinations:

• 1 oz / 2 oz — the most common. One pony and one large shot.
• 1 oz / 1.5 oz — useful for exact US-shot measurements.
• 3/4 oz / 1.5 oz — for classic cocktail ratios where 3/4 oz appears often.
• 30 ml / 60 ml — the metric equivalent, common in Australia and Japan.

Both sides usually have inner rings marking half measurements — a 2 oz cup with a 1 oz ring inside, for example. That is your fine-detail scale.

Full conversion table

Because recipes never agree on units, here is the reference at a glance:

• 1/2 oz = 15 ml = 1 tbsp = 3 tsp = 15 g
• 3/4 oz = 22 ml = 1.5 tbsp = 4.5 tsp = 22 g
• 1 oz = 30 ml = 2 tbsp = 6 tsp = 30 g
• 1.5 oz (1 shot) = 44 ml = 3 tbsp = 9 tsp = 44 g
• 2 oz = 59 ml = 4 tbsp = 12 tsp = 59 g
• 3 oz = 89 ml = 6 tbsp = 18 tsp = 89 g
• 4 oz (double) = 118 ml = 8 tbsp = 24 tsp = 118 g

Bottle sizes and shots per bottle

Scaling for a group? Here is how many US shots (1.5 oz each) you get from common liquor bottles:

• 375 ml (half or “pint”): ~8 shots
• 750 ml (a “fifth”): ~16 shots
• 1 liter: ~22 shots
• 1.75 liter (a “handle”): ~39 shots

For full party planning math, see our how much to buy for a party guide or run your numbers through the Party Shot Calculator.

Getting exact measurements without a jigger

No bar tools handy? Use what is in your kitchen:

• Tablespoon: 3 level tablespoons equals 1 shot.
• Teaspoon: 9 level teaspoons equals 1 shot.
• Kitchen measuring cup: the 1/4-cup line is 2 oz — slightly more than a shot.
• Coffee scoop: a standard 2-tablespoon scoop is 1 oz — two scoops is a shot.

None of these are as precise as a jigger, but they are close enough for a home cocktail.

Why measurement matters

Balance is the difference between a good shot and a bad one. A recipe calibrated for 1 oz of sour and 1 oz of sweet becomes a syrup mess if you pour 1.5 oz of sweet. Measuring is not fussy — it is what separates “this is delicious” from “this is drinkable.”

For more on the tools that make measuring easy, see our bar tools and bartending basics guide.

Shot Chef is for adults of legal drinking age (21+ in the US). Measure your pours and enjoy responsibly — see responsible drinking.