BAC Calculator
Estimate blood alcohol concentration based on drinks.
Beer (Regular): 12oz at 5% ABV
• Use a designated driver
• Call a rideshare service
• Wait until completely sober
• Even "buzzed" driving is illegal
Factors Affecting BAC
Body weight, biological sex, food consumption, drink strength, drinking speed, medications, and individual metabolism all affect how quickly alcohol enters your bloodstream and how long it stays there.
Sobering Up
Only time reduces BAC. The liver processes alcohol at a constant rate of about one standard drink per hour. Coffee, cold showers, or exercise won't speed up this process.
Frequently Asked Questions
BAC is calculated using the Widmark formula, which considers the amount of alcohol consumed, body weight, biological sex (due to body water percentage differences), and time elapsed since drinking.
On average, the body metabolizes alcohol at about 0.015% BAC per hour. There's no way to speed this up - coffee, cold showers, and food don't reduce BAC faster.
In most US states, 0.08% is the legal limit. However, impairment begins at much lower levels, and some states have lower limits. It's always safest not to drive after drinking.
On average, women have a higher body fat percentage and less body water than men of the same weight. Alcohol is water-soluble, so it's more concentrated in a body with less water.