Arielle Cruz
Alcohol by volume (ABV) and proof are two different ways of indicating the alcoholic content of a beverage. ABV is a measure of a liquid's alcohol strength, recorded as a percentage of alcohol by volume at a given temperature. The Gay-Lussac scale, the most commonly used method of recording alcoholic strength across the world, is used to calculate ABV. On the other hand, proof is a measurement of alcohol content that varies from country to country. In the United States, a spirit's proof is double the ABV. This means that a bottle of 90-proof bourbon has 45% ABV, while a bottle of 151-proof rum has 75.5% ABV.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV) vs Proof
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | ABV is a measure of a liquid's alcohol strength, recorded as a percentage of alcohol by volume at a given temperature. |
| Proof is a traditional measurement of alcohol content that originated in 16th-century England. | |
| Calculation | ABV is calculated by measuring the density and temperature of a spirit. |
| Proof is calculated as twice the ABV in the United States. In the United Kingdom, proof is calculated as 1.75 times the ABV. | |
| Usage | ABV is the most commonly used method of indicating alcoholic content and is standard across the world. |
| The use of proof is now mostly historical and linguistic. It is used in conjunction with ABV in the United States. |
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What You'll Learn
ABV is a percentage of total volume at 20°C
Alcohol by volume (ABV) is a measure of a liquid's alcohol strength, recorded as a percentage of alcohol by volume at a given temperature. It is the most commonly used method of recording alcoholic strength across the world.
OIML's International Recommendation No. 22 (1973) provides standards for measuring alcohol strength by volume and by mass. While it does not specify a preference for one method over the other, it mandates that if alcohol strength by volume is used, it must be expressed as a percentage of total volume at a temperature of 20 °C (68 °F).
ABV is determined by measuring the density and temperature of a spirit. It is a more accurate measure of alcohol content than proof, which was originally based on whether a spirit could be ignited. The term "proof" was originally used in England in the 16th century, where spirits above a certain strength were taxed at a higher rate. If liquor-soaked gunpowder did not ignite when lit, a spirit could be sold at a low tax rate. If the gunpowder did ignite, it was considered a "proof spirit" and taxed at a higher rate.
Over time, more accurate techniques were discovered to measure the amount of alcohol in a spirit, such as figuring out the liquid's specific gravity or density. In 1816, England standardized its threshold for a proof spirit, defining it as a liquor with an alcohol level 12/13th the weight of an equal volume of distilled water at 11°C (51°F). This corresponds to about 57.06% ABV.
Today, ABV is the standard measure of alcohol content in most countries, including the United Kingdom and the European Union. The United States also mandates the use of ABV on alcohol labels, but allows proof to be used optionally. In the US, proof is defined as twice the percentage of ABV.
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Proof is double the ABV in the US
Alcohol by volume (ABV) is a measure of a liquid's alcohol strength. It is recorded as a percentage of alcohol by volume at a given temperature. The ABV system is the most commonly used method of recording alcoholic strength across the world.
Proof, on the other hand, is a measurement of alcohol content that varies from country to country. The term originated in 16th-century England, where spirits were separated into two tax categories based on their alcohol content. If a spirit was flammable and could ignite gunpowder soaked in it, it was considered a "proof spirit" and taxed at a higher rate.
In the United States, alcohol content is legally required to be specified as an ABV percentage. However, proof, defined as twice the percentage of ABV, may also be stated in conjunction with the ABV. For example, a whisky labelled as 50% ABV may also be labelled as 100 proof. The use of proof as a measure of alcohol content in the US is mostly traditional, with only the ABV required to be listed by law.
The proof system in the US was established around 1848, seeking a simpler system to measure alcohol content. Thus, 100 proof became synonymous with 50% ABV, which is also the alcohol level at which spirits can easily ignite.
It is important to note that neither proof nor ABV are standardized, and the methods of measurement have evolved over time.
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ABV is also known as the Gay-Lussac Scale
Alcohol by volume (ABV) is a standard measure of how much alcohol (ethanol) is contained in a given volume of an alcoholic beverage. It is defined as the number of millilitres (mL) of pure ethanol present in 100 mL of solution at 20 °C (68 °F). The ABV standard is used worldwide and is recognised by the International Organization of Legal Metrology.
ABV, also known as the Gay-Lussac Scale, was developed by French scientist Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac in 1824. The scale was created in response to the arbitrary assigning of numbers by politicians setting tax standards, which Gay-Lussac found to be inefficient. For the French scale, measured in degrees, 100% alcohol was simply 100 proof, while plain water was 0 proof. In France, the proof was the ABV. This meant that a bottle of liquor with 50% alcohol by volume could be designated as 100 proof in the U.S., 50 proof in France, and 87.6 proof in Britain.
The Gay-Lussac scale is almost equal to the ABV scale, with a slight difference due to the temperature at which the alcohol content is measured. Gay-Lussac measured the alcohol content at 15°C, while the ABV scale measures it at 20°C. This difference can result in variations of up to 13% between the two scales, with the Gay-Lussac scale being lower.
Today, Europe and the rest of the world have largely abandoned the proof system in favour of the ABV standard. European Union guidelines require that the alcohol-by-volume be stated as a percentage on alcoholic beverage labels. In the U.S., the double-the-alcohol proof system is still used on some bottles, but it is mostly a matter of tradition, and only the ABV is required to be listed by law.
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Proof originated in 16th-century England
The term "proof" originated in 16th-century England, where spirits were taxed at different rates depending on their alcohol content. The government would levy higher taxes on "proof spirits", or liquor that contained a certain higher amount of alcohol. The word "proof" was used to show that something was true or correct.
At the time, there were no tools to measure the exact alcohol level of a spirit easily and accurately, so a simple method was used to determine its strength: Will it catch fire? If the liquid was strong enough to burn or ignite a gunpowder pellet soaked in it, it was considered proof that the spirit was strong enough to warrant the extra tax. A scale was created in which the number 100 was chosen as the "proof" at which a spirit would burn. This basic burn-or-no-burn test was also known as the gunpowder method.
In 1816, England standardised its threshold for a proof spirit. A proof spirit was defined as a liquor with an alcohol level 12/13 the weight of an equal volume of distilled water at 11°C (51°F). This specific gravity corresponds to about 57.06% ABV. This standard was incorporated into Great Britain's 1952 Customs and Excise Tax.
The United States established its proof system around 1848, defining proof as twice the percentage of ABV. Fifty per cent alcohol by volume was set as 100 proof. This system is still used in the US today, although it is mostly a matter of tradition, as only the ABV is required to be listed by law.
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ABV is mandated by law in the US
Alcohol by volume (ABV) is a standard method of indicating the alcoholic content of a beverage. It is the percentage of alcohol in the overall liquid. In the United States, the Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution grants each state and territory the power to regulate intoxicating liquors within their jurisdiction. This includes laws pertaining to the production, sale, distribution, and consumption of alcohol.
While the use of proof as a measurement of alcohol content is now mostly historical and linguistic, it is still permitted to be used in conjunction with ABV in the US. The proof system, dating back to 16th-century England, involved taxing spirits at different rates based on their alcohol content. A spirit was considered ""above proof" if it could be ignited, and this led to the creation of a scale where 100 was chosen as the "proof" indicating a spirit's flammability.
In the US, the proof system was established around 1848 and was based on percent alcohol. Fifty percent alcohol by volume, or 50 parts alcohol diluted with 50 parts water, was defined as 100 proof. However, it is important to note that the volume fraction does not consider the change in volume upon mixing. In contrast, ABV takes into account the change in volume, resulting in a final volume of 96-97 parts instead of 100.
Today, the US defines proof as twice the percentage of ABV. For example, a beverage with 45% ABV is considered 90 proof, while 75.5% ABV corresponds to 151 proof. This system is a matter of tradition, and while it is not required by law, it continues to be used on some bottles of alcohol sold in the US.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcohol by volume (ABV) is a measure of a liquid's alcohol strength, recorded as a percentage of alcohol by volume at a given temperature. In the United States, a spirit's proof is simply double the ABV. For example, a beverage with 30% ABV is 60 proof.
To calculate the ABV from the proof, divide the proof by 2. For example, 80-proof vodka will contain 40% ABV.
To calculate the proof from the ABV, multiply the ABV by 2. For example, a bottle of 45% ABV bourbon is 90 proof.
The term "proof" dates back to 16th-century England, when the government levied higher taxes on spirits above a certain strength. Without the tools to measure alcohol content accurately, a simple test was used: Will it catch fire? If the liquid could be ignited, it was considered proof that the spirit warranted the extra tax.
