Alcohol by volume (ABV)

Alcohol by volume, abbreviated % vol. or ABV, states how many millilitres of pure alcohol are contained in 100 millilitres of the drink at 20 degrees Celsius. A drink at 40 % vol. thus consists of 40 percent alcohol by volume.

On drinks with more than 1.2 percent alcohol the statement is mandatory on the label, small deviations being tolerated. In the EU spirits have minimum values depending on category, often 37.5 or 40 percent vol. % vol. should not be confused with percent by mass or with the older proof scale.