This is a common question for those who enjoy spirits and want to understand liquor bottle sizes. In countries that use the imperial system, like the United States, a fifth is a common bottle size for distilled spirits. However, in places that use the metric system, like Canada, bottle sizes are described in milliliters (mL). This can cause confusion when trying to translate between the two units. So is a 5th really equivalent to 750 mL? Let’s take a closer look.
What is a 5th?
A fifth refers to a bottle size of approximately 1/5 of a US gallon, which is equal to 757 mL or 25.6 US fluid ounces. The term “fifth” originated in the 19th century when liquor bottles were sold in sizes based on fractions of an American gallon. These included the half-gallon, pint, quart, and fifth.
Over time, the fifth became standardized as a common size for bottling distilled spirits like whiskey, rum, vodka, gin, and tequila. Most standard 750 mL liquor bottles sold today in the US are still referred to as fifths, even though their volume is slightly less than an actual fifth of a gallon.
How much is 750 mL?
750 mL is equal to:
- 25.36 US fluid ounces
- 0.196 US gallons
- 1.58 US pints
- 0.82 standard (US) fifths
750 mL is a common bottle size for wine and liquor outside of the US. It is equivalent to approximately 4/5 of a standard wine bottle (which is 750 mL). The 750 mL size is part of the metric system which uses liters (L) and milliliters (mL) for volume measurements.
Comparing a 5th and 750 mL
When directly comparing a 5th to 750 mL, there is a slight difference between the two volumes:
Bottle Size | Volume |
---|---|
Fifth (US) | 757 mL |
750 mL | 750 mL |
A fifth contains about 757 mL while a 750 mL bottle contains exactly 750 mL. So while they are very close, a fifth is not exactly equal to 750 mL. The actual difference between the two bottle sizes is around 7 mL, which is less than 1 US fluid ounce.
Reasons for the size difference
There are a few reasons why a fifth is slightly larger than 750 mL:
- A fifth is based on 1/5 of a US gallon, which is not an even number in metric units.
- 750 mL is a nice round number in the metric system. It’s easier to convert and calculate with.
- When fifths were standardized in the US, the exact size was set bigger to account for spillage/breakage. This way a fifth contained at least 1/5 of a gallon when sold at full price.
- Bottles are commonly produced in standard metric sizes today, so 750 mL is convenient.
Does the difference matter?
For most practical purposes, a fifth can be considered equivalent to 750 mL. The 7 mL difference between the two is small enough that it will not impact how most people use or measure distilled spirits. For example:
- Cocktail recipes specifying “1.5 oz vodka” will taste virtually identical whether using a fifth or 750 mL bottle.
- When estimating the number of shots in a bottle, the difference of 7 mL will not change the approximation.
- A 750 mL bottle labeled as a “fifth” can legally be sold that way in the US.
However, for precise measurement of ingredients by volume, as is done in chemistry and baking, the slight size difference may need to be accounted for. The most accurate conversion between a fifth and 750 mL is:
- 1 fifth = 0.82 * 750 mL
- 1 750 mL bottle = 1.22 * fifth
So in specific use cases requiring precision measurement, it’s important to recognize a fifth is not equal to 750 mL, and to scale quantities accordingly if substituting bottle sizes.
When precision measurement matters
Examples of when the ~7 mL difference between a fifth and 750 mL may be significant include:
- A chemistry experiment calls for a precise quantity by volume of ethanol – the amounts may need to be adjusted if only fifth or 750 mL bottles are available.
- A baking recipe specifies 750 mL of a distilled spirit as an ingredient. The slightly larger fifth bottle would throw off the ratios of the recipe.
- Determining the alcohol content over a volume of spirits – the ABV numbers would differ slightly between a fifth and 750 mL amount.
Converting between fifths and 750 mL
Since a fifth and 750 mL are not equal, conversions between the two need to account for their difference of 7 mL. Here are the conversion factors:
- 1 fifth = 757 mL
- 1 750 mL = 0.82 fifth
So to convert:
- Fifths to mL: Multiply fifths by 757
- mL to fifths: Divide mL by 757
- 750 mL to fifths: Multiply 750 mL by 0.82
- Fifths to 750 mL: Multiply fifths by 0.82
Examples:
- 5 fifths = 5 * 757 = 3,785 mL
- 2,500 mL = 2,500 / 757 = 3.3 fifths
- 6 * 750 mL = 6 * 0.82 = 4.92 fifths
- 3 fifths = 3 * 0.82 = 2.46 * 750 mL = 1,845 mL
Fifths vs. 750 mL in summary
While very close in size, fifths and 750 mL bottles are not exactly equal. A fifth is about 7 mL larger than 750 mL. This negligible difference only matters in cases requiring very precise measurement. For everyday purposes, fifths and 750 mL can be used interchangeably. However, it’s helpful to understand the size difference and proper conversion factors between the two standards.
Here are some key points to remember:
- A fifth is 1/5 of a US gallon or ~757 mL.
- 750 mL is a common metric bottle size, equal to 0.82 fifths.
- Recipes and measurements do not usually require adjusting between fifth and 750 mL volumes.
- For chemistry, baking, and other precision applications, the ~7 mL size difference may need to be factored in.
- Use the conversion factors to accurately translate between fifths and 750 mL.
So while not exactly equivalent, fifths and 750 mL bottles can both be used to conveniently measure and package distilled spirits and other liquids. Being aware of their subtle size difference allows for proper conversion when required.
Additional Questions
What are some other common liquor bottle sizes?
Some other common liquor bottle sizes besides fifths and 750 mL include:
- Pint – A pint bottle holds 375 mL or 12.7 oz, equal to half of a 750 mL bottle.
- Half Gallon – A half gallon bottle holds 1,750 mL or 59.1 oz, equal to 2.3 standard fifths.
- Liter – A liter bottle is 1,000 mL, equivalent to 1.3 fifths or 1.33 standard 750 mL bottles.
- 1.75 L – A 1.75 liter bottle holds 1,750 mL, equal to 2.3 fifths or 2.33 standard 750 mL bottles.
- Miniatures – 50, 100, and 200 mL “mini” bottles are common for spirits.
What are some other uses for fifth and 750 mL bottles?
In addition to distilled spirits, fifth and 750 mL bottles can hold and be used to measure many other liquids including:
- Wine
- Olive oil and vinegars
- Maple syrup and pancake syrup
- Sauces like soy sauce, hot sauce, and worcestershire sauce
- Flavored extracts like vanilla, almond, and peppermint
- Medicines, like cough syrup and flu remedies
- Mouthwash and cleaning products
Their convenient standard sizes make fifth and 750 mL bottles suitable for packaging, selling, and measuring many common household liquids beyond just hard liquor.
What are some tips for converting between metric and imperial units?
Some tips for seamlessly converting between metric measurements (mL, L) and imperial measurements (oz, gallons) include:
- Memorize some common equivalencies like:
- 750 mL = 25.4 oz
- 1 L = 33.8 oz
- 1 mL = 0.03 oz
- Use online converters to look up values quickly
- Keep a chart of unit conversions handy
- When converting, double check your calculation to catch any errors
- Round converted values appropriately to avoid implied false precision
With practice, converting between metric and imperial units becomes second nature. Handy references help prevent mistakes. Being comfortable working in both systems allows flexibility when cooking, mixing drinks, following recipes and more.
Conclusion
While nearly equivalent in practice, a fifth of liquor is technically not equal to 750 mL. The 7 mL difference between these common bottle sizes only impacts very precise measurements. So for most everyday purposes, fifths and 750s can be used interchangeably to bottle and measure distilled spirits and other liquids.