BAC Calculator
Calculate your estimated Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) based on drinks consumed, body weight, gender, and time elapsed. Understand impairment levels and time to sobriety.
Estimated BAC
Blood Alcohol
0.038%
Mild
Legal but impaired (under 0.08)
This is an estimate only. Actual BAC varies. Never drink and drive.
Estimated BAC
Blood Alcohol
0.038%
Mild
Legal but impaired (under 0.08)
This is an estimate only. Actual BAC varies. Never drink and drive.
Drinks Consumed
Your Information
Women typically have higher BAC due to body composition differences.
Effects at Your BAC Level
- •Lowered inhibitions
- •Mild euphoria
- •Slight impairment of judgment
- •Decreased alertness
BAC Impairment Levels
What is a Standard Drink?
One standard drink contains approximately 0.6 oz (14g) of pure alcohol:
Beer
12 oz
5% ABV
Wine
5 oz
12% ABV
Liquor
1.5 oz
40% ABV
Malt Liquor
8 oz
7% ABV
Important Safety Information
- • This calculator provides estimates only. Actual BAC varies significantly between individuals.
- • Never drive after drinking. Use a designated driver, taxi, or rideshare.
- • Alcohol affects judgment before you feel drunk. Don't rely on how you feel.
- • If someone shows signs of alcohol poisoning (confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow breathing), call 911 immediately.
Explore Drinking Scenarios
Explore how changes affect your results
BAC Reference Comparison
Compared to the general population
Your BAC
3.8 % × 100
Percentile
40th
Below average - looking good!
Distribution
Sober
0.0
Social
2.0
Impaired
5.0
Legal Limit
8.0
Dangerous
15.0
Your Ranking
Top 40%
60% are higher
Safety Information
Based on your BAC results
Current Status
At 0.038% BAC, you have some alcohol in your system. Effects are minimal but present.
Time to Sober
Your body processes alcohol at about 0.015% per hour. You'll need approximately 2.5 hours to be fully sober.
Stay Hydrated
Drink water between alcoholic drinks. This doesn't reduce BAC but helps prevent dehydration and may reduce hangover symptoms.
Quick Answer
BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) is estimated using the Widmark formula: BAC = (Alcohol consumed in grams / (Body weight × r)) - (Time × 0.015), where r is 0.68 for men, 0.55 for women. The legal limit for driving in most US states is 0.08%. This calculator provides estimates only - actual BAC varies by many factors. Calculate at practicalwebtools.com.
Key Facts
- Legal driving limit in US: 0.08% BAC (lower in some states)
- Body processes approximately 0.015% BAC per hour
- BAC affected by: weight, gender, food, metabolism, drink strength
- Standard drink: 12oz beer, 5oz wine, 1.5oz spirits
- 0.02-0.03%: mild relaxation; 0.08%: impaired driving; 0.30%+: dangerous
- Women typically reach higher BAC than men at same consumption
- Food slows alcohol absorption but does not prevent intoxication
Frequently Asked Questions
BAC measures the percentage of alcohol in your bloodstream. A BAC of 0.08% means 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. This is the legal limit for driving in most US states.
This calculator uses the Widmark formula, which provides estimates based on average alcohol metabolism. Actual BAC varies based on food intake, medications, liver health, and individual metabolism. This is for educational purposes only.
The body metabolizes alcohol at about 0.015% BAC per hour (roughly one standard drink). A person with 0.08% BAC would take about 5-6 hours to become sober. Sleep, coffee, and cold showers do NOT speed up this process.
Key factors include: body weight (higher weight = lower BAC), gender (women typically have higher BAC per drink), food intake (food slows absorption), drinking speed, and individual metabolism.
Even below 0.08%, alcohol impairs judgment, reaction time, and coordination. Some states have lower limits (0.05%), and commercial drivers often have 0.04% limits. When in doubt, don't drive.
Estimated BAC
Blood Alcohol
0.038%
Mild
Legal but impaired (under 0.08)
This is an estimate only. Actual BAC varies. Never drink and drive.