How Much Is a Shot? Sizes by Country
A standard shot is 30 ml in Australia and Japan, 44 ml (1.5 fl oz) in the United States and Canada, 35 ml in the United Kingdom, and 40 ml across most of continental Europe. Russia pours the largest standard at 50 ml, while South Africa pours the smallest at 25 ml. Here's the full country breakdown.
| Country | Standard Shot (ml) | Standard Shot (fl oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 30 ml | 1.01 fl oz |
| Japan | 30 ml | 1.01 fl oz |
| United States | 44 ml | 1.5 fl oz |
| Canada | 44 ml | 1.5 fl oz |
| United Kingdom | 35 ml | 1.18 fl oz |
| Germany | 40 ml | 1.35 fl oz |
| Italy | 40 ml | 1.35 fl oz |
| Sweden | 40 ml | 1.35 fl oz |
| Russia | 50 ml | 1.69 fl oz |
| South Africa | 25 ml | 0.85 fl oz |
But here's what most home bartenders miss: the size and material of your shot glass actually changes how the spirit tastes. Tequila served in a 30 ml hand-carved Himalayan salt shot glass delivers a different sensory experience than the same 30 ml in a standard glass — because the salt rim meets the spirit before it touches your tongue. Read on for the full country guide, the reasons behind the differences, and why your home tequila ritual deserves better than a generic shooter.
🥃 Want to try the salt shot glass we mention?
Shop our Himalayan Salt Tequila Shot Glass Set of 4 — Australia's first hand-carved 100% Himalayan salt shot glass set. Built-in salt rim, no licking required.
Whether you're pouring tequila for a party or measuring spirits for a cocktail, you might assume that a "shot" is a universal measurement.
But surprise—it's not! The volume of a shot glass varies widely depending on where you are in the world. In this article, we'll break down the different standard shot sizes across countries, and convert them into both milliliters (ml) and fluid ounces (oz) so you can pour with confidence anywhere.
What is a shot?
A shot typically refers to a small serving of spirits or liquor intended to be consumed quickly, often in one gulp. It's also a common unit of measurement in cocktail recipes.
But despite its popularity, the exact amount contained in a shot glass is anything but consistent worldwide.
Why the difference?
Shot sizes vary due to differences in local drinking culture, alcohol laws, and hospitality standards. In some places like the UK, both 25 ml and 35 ml shots are legal, depending on the establishment.
Meanwhile, Russia traditionally pours a generous 50 ml shot, often associated with vodka culture.
Shot sizes by country (in detail)
What size is a shot in Australia?
The standard shot size is 30 ml (this converts to 1.01 fl oz). It's also the standard size of our hand-carved Himalayan salt shot glasses — designed in Sydney, made for the Australian pour.
What size is a shot in the United States (USA)?
The standard shot size is 1.5 fl oz (this converts to 44 ml).
What size is a shot in the United Kingdom (UK)?
The standard shot size is 35 ml (this converts to 1.18 fl oz).
What size is a shot in Canada?
The standard shot size is 1.5 fl oz (this converts to 44 ml).
What size is a shot in Germany?
The standard shot size is 40 ml (this converts to 1.35 fl oz).
What size is a shot in Japan?
The standard shot size is 30 ml (this converts to 1.01 fl oz).
What size is a shot in Italy?
The standard shot size is 40 ml (this converts to 1.35 fl oz).
What size is a shot in Russia?
The standard shot size is 50 ml (this converts to 1.69 fl oz).
What size is a shot in Sweden?
The standard shot size is 40 ml (this converts to 1.35 fl oz).
What size is a shot in South Africa?
The standard shot size is 25 ml (this converts to 0.85 fl oz).
What should you use at home to measure a shot?
If you're mixing cocktails at home, consistency is more important than the exact number. Choose a shot glass and stick with it — just know what its volume is so your drinks stay balanced. If you're following recipes from the U.S., it's safe to assume they're using the 1.5 oz (44 ml) standard.
For tequila specifically, we make the case for our Himalayan Salt Glass range — the salt rim is built into the glass itself, which means the salt note hits your sip before the spirit reaches your tongue. It changes how the tequila tastes.
Travelling? Know before you pour.
If you're traveling or entertaining international guests, being aware of local shot sizes can add a fun, educational touch to your experience. Whether you're sipping limoncello in Italy or throwing back vodka in Moscow, knowing the standard pour helps you respect traditions (and manage your buzz).
The final sip…
The humble shot glass is a small but powerful part of global drinking culture. Now that you know how much a shot really is — wherever you are — you can pour with precision and impress your friends with your international booze knowledge. Cheers!
Ready to upgrade your tequila ritual?
Saltist makes hand-carved 100% Himalayan salt shot glasses, ethically sourced from the Himalayan Mountains in Pakistan. Australian-designed in Sydney, female-founded. Featured in Cosmopolitan Australia and Elle Decor India.
