1 shot glass is typically 1.5 fluid ounces in the U.S., equal to 3 tablespoons or about 45 ml. Shot glasses vary, so check the marking if an exact pour matters for a recipe or drink.
How Many Ounces In One Shot Glass: in most US bar recipes, one shot glass holds 1.5 fluid ounces. That equals 3 tablespoons, since 1 fluid ounce is 2 tablespoons and 1 tablespoon is 15 ml.
A shot is a volume measure, not a weight ounce. So 1.5 fl oz is about 45 ml, but it does not weigh 1.5 ounces unless the liquid’s density matches that amount. Some small shot glasses hold 1 fl oz, so check the marking if precision matters.
The Short Answer, With Numbers
A U.S. shot glass is usually used for a 1.5-fluid-ounce pour. In kitchen measures, that is 3 tablespoons, or about 45 ml, because 1 fluid ounce equals 2 tablespoons and 30 ml.
If your shot glass is marked “1 oz,” it holds 1 fluid ounce, not the usual 1.5-ounce bar pour. That smaller glass equals 2 tablespoons, or 30 ml.
| Measure | US equivalent | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | – | 5 ml |
| 1 tablespoon | 3 teaspoons | 15 ml |
| 1 fluid ounce | 2 tablespoons | 30 ml |
| 1/4 cup | 4 tablespoons | 59 ml |
Fast Shot Glass Conversions
1 standard U.S. shot: 1.5 fluid ounces = 3 tablespoons = 45 ml. This is the number most recipes mean when they call for “a shot” of liquor, espresso syrup, or another liquid.
1 small shot glass: 1 fluid ounce = 2 tablespoons = 30 ml. Use this if the glass has a 1 oz line, or if you measured it and it fills with exactly 2 tablespoons.
2 standard shots: 3 fluid ounces = 6 tablespoons = 90 ml. That comes from doubling 1.5 fluid ounces, 3 tablespoons, and 45 ml.
Half of a standard shot: 0.75 fluid ounce = 1.5 tablespoons = about 22.5 ml. This is useful when scaling a cocktail, glaze, or sauce down by half.
One tablespoon is not a shot. It is only 15 ml. Since a standard shot is 3 tablespoons, 1 tablespoon is one-third of that pour.
One fluid ounce is also not the same as a standard shot. It is 2 tablespoons, or 30 ml. A standard 1.5-ounce shot is 50% larger than a 1-ounce pour.
A 1/4 cup measure is 4 tablespoons, or 59 ml. That is bigger than a standard shot, which is 3 tablespoons. So 1/4 cup is about 1 tablespoon more than a 1.5-ounce shot.
For recipes, the safest practical move is to measure the glass once. Fill it with water, pour into a tablespoon measure, and count. 2 tablespoons means 1 fluid ounce; 3 tablespoons means a 1.5-ounce shot.
If a recipe says “1 shot” but gives no size, use 1.5 fluid ounces for a U.S.-style pour. If precision matters, write it as 3 tablespoons or 45 ml so the amount is repeatable.
Standard Shot Glass Ounces
A standard U.S. shot is usually 1.5 fluid ounces. Using the kitchen conversion 1 fluid ounce = 2 tablespoons = 30 ml, one standard shot equals 3 tablespoons, or about 45 ml.
The glass itself may not equal the pour. Many shot glasses hold 1.5 fluid ounces to the rim, but some hold 1 fluid ounce, 2 fluid ounces, or more. For measuring, the liquid amount matters more than the glass shape.
Quick Shot Glass Conversion Table
| Shot amount | Tablespoons | Milliliters | Cups |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 fluid ounce | 2 tablespoons | 30 ml | 1/8 cup |
| 1.5 fluid ounces | 3 tablespoons | 45 ml | 3/16 cup |
| 2 fluid ounces | 4 tablespoons | 59 ml | 1/4 cup |
For recipes, measure a shot as 3 tablespoons unless the recipe says otherwise. That is the clearest U.S. kitchen equivalent for a 1.5-fluid-ounce pour.
Worked example: if a cocktail calls for 2 shots of liquor, use 3 fluid ounces total. That equals 6 tablespoons, because each fluid ounce is 2 tablespoons.
Another example: 4 standard shots equal 6 fluid ounces. Since 1 cup is 8 fluid ounces, 4 shots equal 3/4 cup.
If your shot glass is marked 1 ounce, it is a smaller pour. Two of those glasses equal 2 fluid ounces, or 1/4 cup. Three of them equal a standard 3-fluid-ounce double pour.
Single Shot, Double Shot, and Jigger Amounts
A single standard shot is 1.5 fluid ounces. A double shot is commonly 3 fluid ounces, which equals 6 tablespoons or 90 ml.
A 2-fluid-ounce pour is larger than a standard shot but smaller than a 3-fluid-ounce double. In kitchen terms, 2 fluid ounces equals 1/4 cup.
A bar jigger often has two measuring sides. If one side is 1.5 fluid ounces and the other is 1 fluid ounce, the larger side is the standard U.S. shot measure.
Edge case: if a recipe says “1 shot” but gives no ounce amount, use 1.5 fluid ounces for U.S. recipes. If precision matters, measure 3 tablespoons rather than filling an unmarked glass.
Edge case: a tall, narrow shot glass may look larger than a short, wide one. Do not assume capacity by appearance. Fill it with tablespoons once: 3 tablespoons means it holds 1.5 fluid ounces.
For batching, multiply by 1.5 fluid ounces per shot. Six standard shots equal 9 fluid ounces. That is 18 tablespoons, or 270 ml.
For a half-shot, use 0.75 fluid ounce. In kitchen spoons, that is 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons, because 1 tablespoon is 3 teaspoons.
Bottom line: one standard shot glass pour in the U.S. is 1.5 fluid ounces, equal to 3 tablespoons or about 45 ml.
US Versus International Shots
A US “shot” is usually 1.5 fluid ounces. Using kitchen measures, that equals 3 tablespoons, because 1 fluid ounce is 2 tablespoons.
In metric terms, 1.5 US fluid ounces is about 45 ml, using 1 fluid ounce = 30 ml. That is the practical answer for most US cocktail recipes.
Common Shot Sizes By Country
| Place | Common shot size | Kitchen equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 1.5 fl oz | 3 tbsp, about 45 ml |
| Small US pour | 1 fl oz | 2 tbsp, 30 ml |
| Large US double | 3 fl oz | 6 tbsp, 90 ml |
| United Kingdom single | 25 ml | Just under 1 fl oz |
| United Kingdom large single | 35 ml | Just over 1 fl oz |
| Australia | 30 ml | 1 fl oz, 2 tbsp |
| Japan | 30 ml | 1 fl oz, 2 tbsp |
The key difference is that the US shot is often larger than a 25 ml or 30 ml international pour. A US 1.5-ounce shot is 50% larger than a 1-ounce shot.
Worked example: a cocktail calling for 2 US shots uses 3 fluid ounces total. That is 6 tablespoons, or about 90 ml.
If a UK recipe calls for two 25 ml shots, the total is 50 ml. That is more than 1.5 US fluid ounces but less than 2 US fluid ounces.
If an Australian recipe calls for two 30 ml shots, the total is 60 ml. That equals 2 US fluid ounces, or 4 tablespoons.
Why Your Shot Glass May Not Match The Recipe
Many shot glasses hold more than the pour line suggests. A glass sold as a “shot glass” may physically hold 2 fluid ounces, while the recipe’s shot is only 1.5 fluid ounces.
For accuracy, measure the glass once with tablespoons. If it takes 3 tablespoons to reach the rim, it is a 1.5-ounce shot glass.
If it takes 2 tablespoons, it is a 1-ounce shot glass. If it takes 4 tablespoons, it holds 2 fluid ounces, or 1/4 cup.
Edge case: a “jigger” is not always one shot. In US bar use, the larger side is often 1.5 fluid ounces, while the smaller side may be 1 fluid ounce.
For cooking, the safest conversion is numeric: 1 US shot = 1.5 fluid ounces = 3 tablespoons = about 45 ml.
For scaling, 4 US shots equal 6 fluid ounces. That is 12 tablespoons, or 3/4 cup.
For a party batch, 8 US shots equal 12 fluid ounces. That is 1 1/2 cups, because 1 cup is 8 fluid ounces.
Single Shot Measurement Steps
A shot glass does not have one fixed ounce size. Measure the glass, then label it by fluid ounces. Use 1 fluid ounce = 2 tablespoons = 30 ml as the base.
Fast way to measure the glass you have
- 1. Start with a dry, level shot glass. Put the empty glass on a flat counter. If the rim is slanted, use the lowest point of the rim as the practical fill line so you do not overcount the capacity.
- 2. Fill with tablespoons first. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time. Each tablespoon is 15 ml. Two tablespoons equal 1 fluid ounce, so counting tablespoons is the fastest home method.
- 3. Convert the tablespoon count to ounces. Divide tablespoons by 2. If the glass holds 2 tablespoons, it is a 1 fluid ounce shot glass. If it holds 3 tablespoons, it is a 1.5 fluid ounce shot glass.
- 4. Check the metric amount. Multiply tablespoons by 15 ml. A 2 tablespoon pour is 30 ml. A 3 tablespoon pour is 45 ml. A 4 tablespoon pour is 60 ml, which is just over 2 fluid ounces using the listed 30 ml per ounce equivalence.
- 5. Use teaspoon testing for the last small gap. If the glass is not full after whole tablespoons, add teaspoons. One teaspoon is 5 ml. Three teaspoons equal 1 tablespoon, so 6 teaspoons equal 1 fluid ounce.
- 6. Mark the real fill line. Once you know the ounce amount, mark the outside with tape at 1 fluid ounce, 1.5 fluid ounces, or 2 fluid ounces. This matters when the glass is wider at the top than at the bottom.
Worked examples
If your glass fills exactly at 2 tablespoons, it holds 1 fluid ounce. That is also 30 ml. This is a small shot measure.
If your glass fills at 3 tablespoons, it holds 1.5 fluid ounces. The metric amount is 45 ml because 3 tablespoons x 15 ml = 45 ml.
If your glass fills at 4 tablespoons, it holds 2 fluid ounces. Since 1/4 cup is 4 tablespoons, that glass also holds 1/4 cup, or 59 ml by the cup conversion table.
If the glass holds 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, count it as 35 ml: 30 ml from the tablespoons plus 5 ml from the teaspoon. In fluid ounces, it is a little more than 1 ounce.
If the glass holds 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons, count it as 40 ml. That is between a 1 fluid ounce and 1.5 fluid ounce pour.
For cocktail recipes, do not assume every shot glass is the same. A recipe calling for 1 fluid ounce needs 2 tablespoons. A recipe calling for 1.5 fluid ounces needs 3 tablespoons.
Shot Glass Size Chart
One US shot is commonly 1.5 fluid ounces. Using the reference conversion of 1 fluid ounce = 30 ml, a 1.5-ounce shot equals 45 ml.
Shot glasses are not all the same size. A small shot glass may hold 1 fluid ounce, while a double shot glass may hold 2 fluid ounces or more.
| Shot glass amount | Fluid ounces | Tablespoons | Milliliters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small shot | 1 fl oz | 2 tbsp | 30 ml |
| Standard US shot | 1.5 fl oz | 3 tbsp | 45 ml |
| Large shot | 2 fl oz | 4 tbsp | 60 ml |
| Quarter-cup pour | 2 fl oz | 4 tbsp | 59 ml |
| Half-cup total | 4 fl oz | 8 tbsp | 118 ml |
Fast Answer: Ounces In One Shot Glass
If a recipe says “1 shot” and gives no other detail, use 1.5 fluid ounces as the working US measure.
That equals 3 tablespoons, because 1 fluid ounce equals 2 tablespoons. It also equals about 45 ml, using 30 ml per fluid ounce.
If your shot glass is filled to a 1-ounce line, that is not a standard 1.5-ounce shot. It is 2 tablespoons, or 30 ml.
If your shot glass is filled to a 2-ounce line, that is a double-size pour. It is 4 tablespoons, or 60 ml.
Worked Examples
Example 1: A cocktail calls for 2 shots. At 1.5 fl oz per shot, that is 3 fl oz total.
Since 1 fl oz equals 2 tablespoons, 3 fl oz equals 6 tablespoons. In metric, 3 fl oz equals 90 ml.
Example 2: A sauce calls for 1 shot of vinegar. Measure 3 tablespoons if you do not have a shot glass.
That 3-tablespoon measure equals 1.5 fl oz, or 45 ml.
Example 3: You have a 1/4 cup measuring cup. A full 1/4 cup is 4 tablespoons, or 2 fl oz.
So a full 1/4 cup is larger than a 1.5-ounce shot by 1 tablespoon, or 0.5 fl oz.
Edge Cases To Watch
A decorative shot glass may look standard but hold less or more than 1.5 fl oz. Check by filling it with tablespoons of water.
If it holds 2 tablespoons, it is 1 fl oz. If it holds 3 tablespoons, it is 1.5 fl oz. If it holds 4 tablespoons, it is 2 fl oz.
For cooking, use measuring spoons when accuracy matters. A casual “shot glass” pour can vary by 1 tablespoon or more.
For batch recipes, scale by tablespoons. Four standard shots equal 6 fl oz, 12 tablespoons, or 180 ml.
Eight standard shots equal 12 fl oz, 24 tablespoons, or 360 ml.
Measuring Without a Shot Glass
A standard U.S. shot is usually treated as 1.5 fluid ounces. Without a shot glass, measure it as 3 tablespoons, since 1 fluid ounce equals 2 tablespoons.
In metric terms, 1.5 fluid ounces is about 45 ml. That comes from 1 fluid ounce at 30 ml, so 1.5 × 30 ml = 45 ml.
Fast Substitutions for 1 Shot
| Amount Needed | Use This | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 1 shot | 3 tablespoons | 45 ml |
| 1/2 shot | 1 tablespoon + 1 1/2 teaspoons | 22.5 ml |
| 2 shots | 6 tablespoons | 90 ml |
| 4 shots | 3/4 cup | About 177 ml |
If you have measuring spoons, the cleanest method is 3 level tablespoons. Fill each tablespoon to the rim, not rounded, and pour into the mixing glass or shaker.
If you only have a teaspoon, use 9 teaspoons for 1 shot. This works because 1 tablespoon equals 3 teaspoons, and 3 tablespoons equals 9 teaspoons.
For a half shot, measure 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons. That equals 1.5 tablespoons, or 0.75 fluid ounce.
For a double shot, use 6 tablespoons. In ounces, that is 3 fluid ounces. In metric, it is about 90 ml.
Using a Liquid Measuring Cup
A full 1/4 cup is 4 tablespoons, which is 2 fluid ounces. So a 1.5-ounce shot is not a full 1/4 cup.
To measure 1 shot with a 1/4-cup measure, fill it 3/4 of the way. Since 1/4 cup is 4 tablespoons, 3/4 of that is 3 tablespoons.
For 2 shots, measure 3 fluid ounces. That is 6 tablespoons, or 3/8 cup. If your cup has ounce marks, stop at the 3 fl oz line.
For 4 shots, measure 6 fluid ounces. That equals 12 tablespoons, or 3/4 cup. This is useful for batching cocktails for 4 drinks.
Worked Cocktail Examples
If a recipe calls for 2 ounces of liquor, measure 4 tablespoons. That is larger than a 1.5-ounce shot by 1 tablespoon.
If a recipe calls for 1 ounce, measure 2 tablespoons. That is a smaller pour than a standard 1.5-ounce shot by 1 tablespoon.
If a drink needs 1.5 ounces liquor and 0.5 ounce syrup, use 3 tablespoons liquor and 1 tablespoon syrup. Total liquid added is 4 tablespoons, or 2 fluid ounces.
If making 6 drinks with 1 shot each, measure 18 tablespoons total. That is 9 fluid ounces, because every 2 tablespoons equals 1 fluid ounce.
Edge Cases
Some shot glasses hold 1 fluid ounce, not 1.5. If your recipe says “1 shot” but gives no ounces, check the context: bar recipes often mean 1.5 fluid ounces in the U.S.
A jigger may have two sides. Common measuring logic is to verify the markings, because the large side may be 1.5 ounces and the small side may be 1 ounce.
Do not use a coffee mug, rocks glass, or free pour for precision. A 1-tablespoon error changes a 1.5-ounce shot by one-third.
For the best no-shot-glass setup, use tablespoons for single drinks and a liquid measuring cup for batches. Use the rim line, keep the measure level, and count aloud.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ounces are in one shot glass?
In the U.S., a standard shot glass usually holds 1.5 fluid ounces. That equals 3 tablespoons, since 1 fluid ounce is 2 tablespoons. Some shot glasses hold 1 ounce or 2 ounces, so check the marked line if accuracy matters.
Is a shot 1 ounce or 1.5 ounces?
A typical U.S. shot is 1.5 fluid ounces, but 1-ounce shot glasses also exist. Bars often pour 1.5 ounces for a standard drink measure, while small novelty or tasting shot glasses may be 1 ounce. The exact amount depends on the glass.
How many tablespoons are in a shot glass?
A 1.5-fluid-ounce shot equals 3 tablespoons. The conversion is direct: 1 fluid ounce equals 2 tablespoons, so 1.5 fluid ounces equals 3 tablespoons. A 1-ounce shot equals 2 tablespoons, and a 2-ounce shot equals 4 tablespoons.
How many milliliters are in a shot glass?
A standard 1.5-fluid-ounce U.S. shot is about 45 ml, using 1 fluid ounce as 30 ml. A 1-ounce shot is 30 ml, and a 2-ounce shot is 60 ml. Many shot glasses are not filled to the rim.
How many shots are in a cup?
One U.S. cup is 8 fluid ounces. If each shot is 1.5 fluid ounces, 1 cup holds about 5.3 shots. If using 1-ounce shot glasses, 1 cup holds 8 shots. For 2-ounce shots, 1 cup holds 4 shots.
