Editing Alcohol proof (section)

{{Short description|Measure of alcohol content}}
{{redirect|U.S. proof|the coins|United States Proof Set}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
[[File:Bacardi 151 bottle.jpg|thumb|A bottle of [[Bacardi 151|151]] proof ("over-proof"{{what|date=December 2024}}) [[rum]], measured by the US system, with an [[Alcohol by volume|ABV]] of 75.5%]]
'''Alcohol proof''' (usually termed simply "proof" in relation to a beverage) is a measure of the content of [[ethanol]] (alcohol) in an [[alcoholic beverage]]. The term was originally used in [[England]] and from 1816 was equal to about 1.75 times the percentage of [[alcohol by volume]] (ABV). The [[United Kingdom]] today uses ABV instead of proof. In the [[United States]], alcohol proof is defined as twice the percentage of ABV. The definition of proof in terms of ABV varies from country to country.

The measurement of alcohol content and the statement of content on bottles of alcoholic beverages is regulated by law in many countries. In 1972, [[Canada]] phased out the use of "proof"; in 1973, the [[European Union]] followed suit; and the United Kingdom, where the concept originated, started using ABV instead in 1980. The [[United States Code]] mandates the use of ABV, but permits proof to be used also.

The [[degree symbol]] (°) is sometimes used to indicate alcohol proof, either alone (e.g. 10°) or after a space and joined to the letter P as a unit name (e.g. 13 °P).