Just How Many Calories are in my Beer?!
If you’re anything like me (and you probably are a little bit since you’re on a beer blog), you really love to put some beer back. The problem with beer being a hobby of sorts (don’t tell my mom I called it a hobby) is that there are calories in beer. Several, actually. It’s easy to start packing on pounds if you aren’t careful.
Similarly to my affinity to beer, I also love being active; I run, bike, play ice hockey and bar league softball and generally have a hard time sitting still. Despite a high level of activity, I still like to have an idea of how many calories from beer I’m consuming to get a better understanding of how a few pints might fit into my daily or weekly consumption.
The sugar extracted from barley and grains is what causes beer to ferment, which means the more sugar present, the more alcohol there will be; meaning more calories. It all boils down (ha) pretty simply: the higher the ABV the more calories, or kilocalories (kcal), in your beer.
Carbohydrates from unfermented sugars contribute too, which is why a hazy IPA often has more than a dry lager at the same ABV. For example, a lager weighing in (HA) at 4.5% ABV at 12 oz. will total 135 calories, while something like 12 oz. of a barrel-aged stout at 10.5% will total 315 calories. Find out how to calculate the calories below.
Calculate the calories in a beer
Use this simple formula to quickly calculate the calories in the beer you wish to drink (or have drunk).
ABV% x 2.5 x ounces of beer
For example, if your beer is 16 ounces and 6% ABV it has about 240 calories.
6 x 2.5 x 16 = 240
Save this formula for when you’re on the go or use the beer calorie calculator below for a quick result.
Beer Calorie Calculator
Use the chart below to find how many calories are in a beer across common pour sizes, from a 6 oz. taster to a 22 oz. bomber
Light beers at 3.5–4.5% ABV fall in the 88–180 calorie range, while higher-ABV craft beers can push well past 300.
| ABV | 1 oz. | 2 oz. | 6 oz. | 10 oz. | 12 oz. | 16. oz | 22 oz. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5% | 9 | 18 | 53 | 88 | 105 | 140 | 193 |
| 4% | 10 | 20 | 60 | 100 | 120 | 160 | 220 |
| 4.5% | 12 | 23 | 68 | 113 | 135 | 180 | 248 |
| 5% | 13 | 25 | 75 | 125 | 150 | 200 | 275 |
| 5.5% | 14 | 28 | 82 | 138 | 165 | 220 | 303 |
| 6% | 15 | 30 | 90 | 150 | 180 | 240 | 330 |
| 6.5% | 17 | 33 | 98 | 163 | 195 | 260 | 358 |
| 7% | 18 | 35 | 105 | 175 | 210 | 280 | 385 |
| 7.5% | 19 | 38 | 113 | 188 | 225 | 300 | 413 |
| 8% | 20 | 40 | 120 | 200 | 240 | 320 | 440 |
| 8.5% | 22 | 43 | 128 | 213 | 255 | 340 | 468 |
| 9% | 23 | 45 | 135 | 225 | 270 | 360 | 495 |
| 9.5% | 24 | 48 | 143 | 238 | 285 | 380 | 523 |
| 10% | 25 | 50 | 150 | 250 | 300 | 400 | 550 |
| 10.5% | 27 | 53 | 158 | 263 | 315 | 420 | 578 |
| 11% | 28 | 55 | 165 | 275 | 330 | 440 | 605 |
| 11.5% | 29 | 58 | 173 | 288 | 345 | 460 | 633 |
| 12% | 30 | 60 | 180 | 300 | 360 | 480 | 660 |
| 12.5% | 32 | 63 | 188 | 313 | 375 | 500 | 688 |
| 13% | 33 | 65 | 195 | 325 | 390 | 520 | 715 |
| 13.5% | 34 | 68 | 203 | 338 | 405 | 540 | 743 |
| 14% | 35 | 70 | 210 | 350 | 420 | 560 | 770 |
| 14.5% | 37 | 73 | 218 | 363 | 435 | 580 | 798 |
| 15% | 38 | 75 | 225 | 375 | 450 | 600 | 825 |
Barring some major change in my ability to process carbs, it’s highly unlikely I’ll ever give up drinking beer without a damn good reason. Having this information handy to me has been great in figuring out how to still enjoy something I love while not having to sacrifice my health.
So if you’re like me and are unwilling to change your drinking habits (or hobby), make small changes to how you drink beer. If you’re about quantity, maybe reach for that lager to get a bigger pour without racking up the calories.
If you’re looking more bang for your buck, a smaller pour of a hefty barleywine should do you just fine. If gluten is a concern, plenty of craft breweries now make excellent gluten-free beers brewed from sorghum or millet that hit the same ABV range.
Maybe you’re on a diet, maybe you’re not. Maybe you’re just a geek about numbers and learning things about yourself, maybe you’re not. Either way, using this chart to calculate the calories in beer has been incredibly helpful for me. Whatever reason you have for beginning to track the calories in beer, I hope this has made it a bit easier.
Scroll down to the nutrition section for the full carb, sugar, and gluten breakdown.
Calories in Popular Beers (12 oz.)
Not sure of the ABV of your beer? Here’s a quick reference for some of the most common beers. All values are per standard 12 oz. serving.
| Beer | ABV | Calories | Carbs (g) |
| Bud Light | 4.20% | 110 | 6.6 |
| Miler Light | 4.20% | 96 | 3.2 |
| Coors Light | 4.20% | 102 | 5 |
| Budweiser | 5.00% | 145 | 10.6 |
| Carona Extra | 4.60% | 148 | 14 |
| Heineken | 5.00% | 142 | 11.4 |
| Guinness Draught | 4.20% | 125 | 10 |
| Blue Moon | 5.40% | 171 | 14.9 |
| Sierra Nevada Pale Ale | 5.60% | 175 | 14.1 |
| Dogfish Head 60 Min. IPA | 6.00% | 185 | 15 |
| Sam Adams Boston Lager | 5.00% | 175 | 18 |
| Modelo Especial | 4.40% | 143 | 13.6 |
Beer Nutrition: Beyond the Calories
Calories are one piece of the puzzle. Here’s what else is in your pint.
Does beer have carbs?
Yes. A standard 12 oz. beer has roughly 10–15 grams of carbohydrates, though light beers typically land between 3–7g. Carbs in beer come from residual sugars that weren’t fully fermented, which is why a lighter-bodied lager has fewer carbs than a thick, malty stout.
Does beer have sugar?
Surprisingly little. Most of the sugar in the grain is consumed by yeast during fermentation and converted to alcohol and CO₂. A typical beer has 0–2 grams of residual sugar per 12 oz. serving — significantly less than juice or soda. Sweeter styles like fruit beers, milk stouts, or some sours can run higher.
Does beer have gluten? Is beer gluten-free?
Most conventional beer is not gluten-free. Barley and wheat, the primary grains used in brewing, both contain gluten. If you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, look for beers specifically brewed with gluten-free grains like sorghum, rice, millet, or buckwheat.
Brands like Omission, Glutenberg, and New Planet offer dedicated gluten-free options. Some breweries also make “gluten-reduced” beers using an enzyme that breaks down gluten proteins, though these may not be safe for all celiacs.
Does beer have protein?
A small amount, typically around 1 gram per 12 oz. serving. Don’t count on beer for your post-workout protein needs, but it’s not zero either.
Is beer carbonated?
Yes. Carbonation in beer comes from CO₂ produced during fermentation, or from forced carbonation during the packaging process. Cask ales (common in the UK) are served with a gentler natural carbonation and are noticeably less fizzy than a standard draft pour.
Beer Calories FAQ
How many calories are in a beer?
It depends on the ABV and pour size. A typical 12 oz. beer at 5% ABV has around 150 calories. Light beers (4.2% ABV) come in around 100–110 calories, while higher-ABV craft beers can hit 200–300+ calories per serving. Use the calculator above to find the exact number for any beer.
How many calories are in a light beer?
Most major light beers (Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light) clock in between 95 and 110 calories per 12 oz. can or bottle. The lower calorie count is primarily the result of lower ABV (around 4.2%) and fewer residual carbohydrates.
How many kcal are in a beer?
Calories and kilocalories (kcal) are the same thing in nutrition labeling. A 12 oz. beer at 5% ABV is approximately 150 kcal. The formula is: ABV% × 2.5 × ounces = calories.
Does beer make you fat?
Beer itself doesn’t cause fat gain, excess calories do. A pint of beer has roughly the same calories as a glass of juice or a small bag of chips.
The “beer belly” reputation comes less from beer specifically and more from the total caloric surplus that often comes with regular drinking, plus late-night snacking. If you’re mindful of total intake, moderate beer consumption won’t tank your fitness goals.
What beer is gluten-free?
Dedicated gluten-free beers are brewed from naturally gluten-free grains. Popular options include Omission Lager, Glutenberg Blonde, New Planet Pale Ale, and Bard’s Gold.
Hard seltzers like White Claw and Truly are also gluten-free. Corona and most mass-market lagers are not gluten-free despite some misconceptions. they’re brewed with barley.
How many calories are in an IPA?
IPAs tend to run higher in calories than light lagers because of their higher ABV (typically 6–7.5%) and more residual malt. A standard 12 oz. IPA at 6.5% ABV has around 195–210 calories. Hazy/New England IPAs often run even higher due to their fuller body.