In the PHB. (page 153) under the description of a healing potion they say it is a vial, and on the same page they have a chart for container capacity that says a vial is 4 ounces.
Hope that helps, but DMs may also vary the size, shape, and any other details of healing potions.
Boat Racing is a term for quickly drinking (usually alcoholic) beverages, often as a team competition. Thus a particular skill in it might allow the quaffing of over-sized potions, or more than one at a time...
Thank you for the clarification (I've not heard of this definition, nor found it online, so it's possibly more localized than you realize).
For the OP: DMG p.139 says "Most potions consist of one ounce of liquid". Also, 3.5e (which 5e is largely based on) said: "A typical potion or oil consists of 1 ounce of liquid"
Boat Racing is a term for quickly drinking (usually alcoholic) beverages, often as a team competition. Thus a particular skill in it might allow the quaffing of over-sized potions, or more than one at a time...
Worth pointing out that potions deliberately require an action to drink, even though other forms of drinking arguably fall under the rules of 1 free object interaction; "drink all the ale in a flagon" is listed as an example of something you can do in conjunction with your action or movement. Potions are effectively bottled spells anyone can use, and letting people cast spells for free would be very potent.
Also worth pointing out that there's an optional rule in the DMG for potion mixing mishaps if you try to game the system by doing things like pouring two potions into the same container to drink both at once.
Okay, so I did a little searching as I remembered reading the stuff before. Others have already mentioned the descriptions from the Player's Handbook (PHB) and Dungeon Master's Guide (DMG) but I felt that I could post my own findings as well and list the sections that they are under if you were trying to look them up on D&D Beyond.
"Most potions consist of one ounce of liquid. Potions are consumable magic items. Drinking a potion or administering a potion to another character requires an action. Applying an oil might take longer, as specified in its description. Once used, a potion takes effect immediately, and it is used up."
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Good luck and may you roll 20's when you need them and 1's when you need a laugh. - myself
Grumzanger's Premium Potions (TM) are optimally produced, purified, refined and destilled, and contain only 1 ounce of high output magical potion. Grumzanger's come in our patented, breakage proof steel Safety Vials. Look for the Grumzanger Seal of Authenticity at the bottom. Do not accept copies, knock-offs, or refilled Safety Vials.
Disclaimer: May contain more than 1 ounce. No guarantee against breakage. Contact your local Grumzanger's Alchemy and Arcana franchise store for questions. Absolutely no refunds.
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.
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How many fluid ounces in a potion?
I am thinking 4-6ounces. But cannot find a definitive answer anywhere
I guess that is up to DM. I think 4 ounces is reasonable.
They must be small enough that the average person could open one, drink the entire contents and discard the bottle all within 3-6 seconds.
In the PHB. (page 153) under the description of a healing potion they say it is a vial, and on the same page they have a chart for container capacity that says a vial is 4 ounces.
Hope that helps, but DMs may also vary the size, shape, and any other details of healing potions.
Hmm. Boat racing feat?
WTF?
Boat Racing is a term for quickly drinking (usually alcoholic) beverages, often as a team competition. Thus a particular skill in it might allow the quaffing of over-sized potions, or more than one at a time...
Thank you for the clarification (I've not heard of this definition, nor found it online, so it's possibly more localized than you realize).
For the OP: DMG p.139 says "Most potions consist of one ounce of liquid". Also, 3.5e (which 5e is largely based on) said: "A typical potion or oil consists of 1 ounce of liquid"
Worth pointing out that potions deliberately require an action to drink, even though other forms of drinking arguably fall under the rules of 1 free object interaction; "drink all the ale in a flagon" is listed as an example of something you can do in conjunction with your action or movement. Potions are effectively bottled spells anyone can use, and letting people cast spells for free would be very potent.
Also worth pointing out that there's an optional rule in the DMG for potion mixing mishaps if you try to game the system by doing things like pouring two potions into the same container to drink both at once.
Boat Race is well known enough to make it to wiki though this refers to a team (relay) competition.
Critical Role allows drinking potions as a bonus action and I have known other DMs that home brew it (mind the pun).
Drinking potions as a bonus action is a thief subclass feature. Most people are against house rules that invalidate a class option.
Okay, so I did a little searching as I remembered reading the stuff before. Others have already mentioned the descriptions from the Player's Handbook (PHB) and Dungeon Master's Guide (DMG) but I felt that I could post my own findings as well and list the sections that they are under if you were trying to look them up on D&D Beyond.
PHB - Chapter 5: Equipment - Adventuring Gear - Other Adventuring Gear
States that Potion of Healing comes in a vial.
PHB - Chapter 5: Equipment - Adventuring Gear - Container Capacity
States that "bottles" = 1 1/2 pints of liquid. "Vials" = 4 ounces of liquid. "Flasks" = 1 pint of liquid
DMG - Chapter 7: Treasure - Magic Items - Magic Item Categories - Potions
"Most potions consist of one ounce of liquid.
Potions are consumable magic items. Drinking a potion or administering a potion to another character requires an action. Applying an oil might take longer, as specified in its description. Once used, a potion takes effect immediately, and it is used up."
Good luck and may you roll 20's when you need them and 1's when you need a laugh. - myself
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay here, but since potions are magic items, they don't qualify for Fast Hands.
Grumzanger's Premium Potions (TM) are optimally produced, purified, refined and destilled, and contain only 1 ounce of high output magical potion. Grumzanger's come in our patented, breakage proof steel Safety Vials. Look for the Grumzanger Seal of Authenticity at the bottom. Do not accept copies, knock-offs, or refilled Safety Vials.
Disclaimer: May contain more than 1 ounce. No guarantee against breakage. Contact your local Grumzanger's Alchemy and Arcana franchise store for questions. Absolutely no refunds.
Blanket disclaimer: I only ever state opinion. But I can sound terribly dogmatic - so if you feel I'm trying to tell you what to think, I'm really not, I swear. I'm telling you what I think, that's all.