How many ounces are in a glass of wine?
A standard glass of wine is 5 ounces (about 150ml), which is what US health guidelines count as one drink and close to what most restaurants pour.
Five ounces is the official answer. Real life is messier: restaurants pour anywhere from 5 to 6 ounces, and at home the glass often decides for you.
- Standard pour
- 5 oz (about 150ml)
- Restaurant pour
- Usually 5–6 oz
- Sparkling in a flute
- About 4 oz
- Dessert wine or port
- About 2–3 oz
- Tasting pour
- About 1–2 oz
Why the glass is bigger than the pour
A typical red wine glass holds 12 to 20 ounces when full. The empty space is on purpose: room to swirl lets the wine breathe and makes it easier to smell what you are drinking.
A 5-ounce pour usually reaches about the widest part of the bowl. If your glass is filled near the rim, you are probably pouring two glasses at once.
Stronger wine, smaller pour
Sweet dessert wines and port are richer and higher in alcohol, which is why they come in little glasses. A few ounces is all you need after dinner.
The same idea applies to big, high-alcohol reds. Five ounces of a 15% Zinfandel carries noticeably more alcohol than five ounces of a 12% Pinot Grigio, so the label is worth a quick look.
Keep reading
- How many glasses are in a bottle of wine?
- How much alcohol is in wine?
- How many calories are in a glass of wine?
- What is Port wine?
- What wine should a beginner try?
Last checked 2026-10-18.