Alcohol-free vs low alcohol: what 0.0%, 0.05% and 0.5% mean
Short answer: in the UK, “alcohol-free” should mean no more than 0.05% alcohol, “de-alcoholised” no more than 0.5%, and “low alcohol” no more than 1.2%. Many beers sold as alcohol-free elsewhere in Europe, and in Ireland, are 0.5%. At that strength a pint contains about 0.3 units, around a tenth of a normal pint, which has no meaningful effect on your blood alcohol. If you need to avoid alcohol completely, for example during pregnancy, choose drinks labelled 0.0%.
The UK labels, decoded
Since 2018, the words used on low and no alcohol drinks in the UK have been set by government guidance rather than by law (GOV.UK). The guidance, summarised by Alcohol Change UK, sets out four terms:
| Label | Maximum strength | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol-free | 0.05% ABV | Alcohol has been removed, only traces remain |
| De-alcoholised | 0.5% ABV | Alcohol has been removed, but not all of it |
| Low alcohol | 1.2% ABV | Brewed or made to be weak, but still alcoholic |
| Non-alcoholic | Not a strength | Should not be used for drinks with a name linked to alcohol, like “beer” or “gin” |
Because the guidance is voluntary, labels are not always consistent. Imported beers often follow their home country’s rules, where “alcohol-free” usually means up to 0.5%. The only way to be sure is to read the ABV on the can or bottle.
Is the 0.05% rule about to change?
Probably, but not yet. The UK’s 0.05% threshold is one of the strictest in the world, and the drinks industry has long asked for it to be raised to 0.5%, the level used across most of Europe and in the United States. The government has consulted on the question several times, and in its 10-Year Health Plan (July 2025) it committed to exploring a change to 0.5% (BeverageDaily). Until a decision is made, the 2018 guidance still applies.
In practice, this means a beer at 0.5% sold in Ireland or Spain as “alcohol-free” may be called “de-alcoholised” or “low alcohol” in a UK supermarket.
How much alcohol is really in a 0.5% beer?
Very little. A pint of 0.5% beer contains 2.8 ml of pure alcohol, or 0.28 UK units. A standard 4% lager contains eight times more.
| Drink | Strength | UK units |
|---|---|---|
| 330 ml bottle, alcohol-free | 0.05% | 0.02 |
| 330 ml bottle, de-alcoholised | 0.5% | 0.17 |
| Pint, de-alcoholised | 0.5% | 0.28 |
| Pint, low alcohol | 1.2% | 0.68 |
| Pint of standard lager | 4% | 2.3 |
Your liver clears alcohol at around one unit an hour (NHS). A 0.5% beer is therefore processed about as fast as you drink it. For comparison, some everyday foods such as very ripe fruit, fruit juice or bread contain small natural traces of alcohol too.
You can check the exact strength of a specific drink in the ConsomAction database: for example BrewDog Punk AF is 0.5%, while Guinness 0.0 contains no measurable alcohol.
Can I drive after an alcohol-free beer?
Yes. Drinks at 0.05% or 0.5% will not put you anywhere near the drink-drive limit, even the 20 mg limit that applies to learner, novice and professional drivers in Ireland. You would need to drink an unrealistic quantity, very fast, for it to register.
Low alcohol drinks at 1.2% are different: they are still alcoholic, and several pints add up. Count them like any other drink.
When to choose a true 0.0%
For most people, a 0.5% beer is a sensible alternative. But there are situations where it makes sense to go for 0.0% or 0.05%:
- Pregnancy: the NHS recommends not drinking alcohol at all if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant (NHS). Choosing 0.0% removes any doubt.
- Recovery from alcohol dependence: for some people, the taste, the ritual or the small amount of alcohol can trigger cravings. Talk to your GP or support worker about what is right for you.
- Medication: some medicines react with even small amounts of alcohol. Check the leaflet or ask your pharmacist.
- Religious reasons: 0.0% drinks are the safest choice if you avoid alcohol completely.
Calories: lighter, but not zero
Alcohol-free beers usually contain fewer calories than regular beer, because alcohol itself provides 7 kcal per gram. Most sit somewhere around half the calories of a standard lager, but sweeter styles and fruit beers can contain a fair amount of sugar. Check the label if you are counting calories.
A good tool for Sober October or cutting down
Alcohol-free beers and wines are one of the easiest ways to keep the ritual of a drink after work, at the pub or with dinner, without the alcohol. They are a real help during an alcohol-free month such as Sober October, and for anyone trying to have more alcohol-free days each week.
FAQ
Is 0.5% beer alcohol-free?
In most of Europe and in Ireland, yes, 0.5% is the usual threshold. In the UK, current guidance calls a 0.5% drink “de-alcoholised” and keeps “alcohol-free” for 0.05% and under, although the government is looking at raising that threshold to 0.5%.
Can you get drunk on alcohol-free beer?
No, not realistically. At 0.5%, your body clears the alcohol about as fast as you drink it. You would feel full long before you felt any effect.
Can I drink 0.5% beer when pregnant?
The NHS advises not drinking alcohol at all during pregnancy. The amount in a 0.5% beer is tiny, but if you want to be certain, choose drinks labelled 0.0% or 0.05%.
Will alcohol-free beer show up on a breathalyser?
Not at any meaningful level. Straight after a sip, traces in your mouth could briefly register on a very sensitive device, but they disappear within minutes and do not reflect your blood alcohol.