Liquor Bottle Sizes Explained: From Nip to Handle (Full Chart)
A standard liquor bottle is 750ml — but bottle sizes run from the 50ml “nip” all the way up to the 1.75L “handle” and beyond. Whether you're building a home bar, buying for a party, or comparing value at the shelf, knowing the full lineup of liquor bottle sizes — and exactly how much each one holds — makes every decision easier. Here's the complete chart, from smallest to largest.
Modern spirits are sold in metric sizes, standardized in the United States in the 1970s. Before that, bottles were measured in fractions of a gallon, which is why some sizes still carry old names like “pint” and “fifth.” Today the 750ml bottle is the universal reference point for spirits and wine, and every other size is easiest to understand in relation to it.
Liquor Bottle Sizes Chart
| Name | Volume | Fluid Ounces | Shots (1.5 oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nip / Miniature | 50 ml | 1.7 oz | 1 |
| Quarter Pint | 100 ml | 3.4 oz | 2.3 |
| Half Pint | 200 ml | 6.8 oz | 4.5 |
| Pint | 375 ml | 12.7 oz | 8.5 |
| Standard “Fifth” | 750 ml | 25.4 oz | 16.9 |
| Liter | 1 L (1,000 ml) | 33.8 oz | 22.5 |
| Handle | 1.75 L (1,750 ml) | 59.2 oz | 39.4 |
| Magnum / Double | 3 L (3,000 ml) | 101.4 oz | 67.6 |
What Is a Fifth?
A “fifth” is the 750ml bottle — the standard size for almost every spirit on the shelf. The name comes from the pre-metric era, when this bottle was close to one-fifth of a US gallon (757 ml). When US spirits went metric in the 1970s, 750ml became the official standard, but the nickname stuck. A fifth holds about 17 standard shots. For the full breakdown by pour size, see our guide to how many shots are in a bottle.
What Is a Handle?
A “handle” is a 1.75-liter bottle, named for the built-in handle that makes such a large format easier to carry and pour. At 59 ounces it holds about 39 shots — roughly two and a half fifths in a single bottle. Handles are the go-to size for parties and for high-volume spirits like vodka, whiskey, and rum.
Why Bottle Sizes Matter for Value
Larger bottles almost always cost less per ounce than smaller ones, which is why a handle is usually the most economical way to buy a spirit you pour often. Smaller formats like the 50ml nip and 375ml pint, on the other hand, are ideal for sampling a new bottle or gifting without committing to a full-size purchase. Matching the bottle size to how you'll actually use it is the simplest way to get the most for your money. If you're still translating between metric and imperial, our liquid measurements guide breaks down every conversion.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard size of a liquor bottle?
The standard liquor bottle is 750ml, often called a “fifth.” It holds about 25.4 fluid ounces, or roughly 17 standard 1.5-ounce shots.
What is the biggest common liquor bottle size?
Among everyday sizes, the 1.75-liter “handle” is the largest, holding about 59 ounces. Larger formats like the 3-liter magnum exist but are far less common.
What is the difference between a fifth and a handle?
A fifth is a 750ml bottle (about 17 shots) and a handle is 1.75 liters (about 39 shots). A handle holds roughly two and a half times as much as a fifth.
