alcoholcontent

Alcohol content, commonly referred to as alcohol by volume (ABV), is the concentration of ethanol in a beverage expressed as a percentage of the total liquid volume. In some contexts alcohol by weight (ABW) is used, and in the United States the term proof is often shown, which is approximately double the ABV.

ABV is determined by measuring the amount of ethanol relative to the liquid. Standard methods include distillation followed by analysis of the distillate, gas chromatography, or near-infrared spectroscopy. In brewing and winemaking, ABV can be estimated from changes in specific gravity using the original gravity (OG) and final gravity (FG); a common rule of thumb is ABV ≈ (OG − FG) × 131.25. More precise measurements use lab instruments, especially for commercial products.

ABV represents ethanol by volume, while ABW represents ethanol by weight. Because ethanol is less dense than water, ABV and ABW are not directly interchangeable, and conversions require the densities of ethanol and the beverage. Temperature can affect density measurements, so standard reference conditions are typically specified.

Typical ranges vary by beverage: beer often 4–6% ABV, wine roughly 9–16%, and spirits usually 20% ABV or higher. Labeling of ABV is common and regulated in many jurisdictions. The alcohol content contributes to the beverage’s flavor and mouthfeel and is a major factor in regulatory labeling and taxation. Calorically, ethanol provides about 7 kilocalories per gram, influencing the overall energy content of drinks.