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How Many Drinks Is Too Many in One Night?

The 10-second answer

Four drinks for women or five for men in about two hours meets the binge-drinking line. More also counts; drinking less is better.

The simple answer

There is a name for drinking a lot in a short time: binge drinking. The usual measure is four or more drinks for women or five or more for men in about two hours. That is a definition, not a safe target. One large cocktail may count as more than one standard drink. Drinking less is better for your health.

Myth vs Fact

Myth

If you're not blackout drunk, the night was moderate.

Fact

CDC defines moderate drinking as 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 or less for women. NIAAA's binge line is 4 or more drinks for women or 5 or more for men in about 2 hours.

The science

  1. NIHA US standard drink has 14 grams of pure alcohol: about 12 oz of regular beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of 80-proof liquor.
  2. NIHBinge drinking means 5 or more drinks (men) or 4 or more drinks (women) in about 2 hours, bringing blood alcohol to 0.08% or higher.
  3. CDCModerate drinking is 2 drinks or less in a day for men, 1 drink or less for women.
  4. CDCHeavy drinking is 15 or more drinks a week for men, 8 or more for women.
  5. CDCA beverage you drink might contain more than one standard drink.
  6. NIHHarms may be associated with any amount of drinking, and harm rises with the amount.

Medical sources

How often people ask: High

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This page is general information, not medical advice. Sources are linked above. If you're worried about yourself or someone else, contact a healthcare provider or call 911.
Last checked: September 25, 2026