Kalcify
Health Tool

Alcohol Calculator

Estimate your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) using the Widmark formula. Enter your drinks, body weight, and time elapsed to see your estimated BAC level and time until sober.

BAC Estimator

Total servings consumed

Your body weight in pounds

Affects body water ratio used in the Widmark formula

1

How to Use This Tool

1

Enter Your Drinks

Select the type of drink and enter how many servings you have consumed

2

Add Your Details

Enter your body weight and biological sex, then adjust the time since your first drink

3

View Your BAC

See your estimated blood alcohol concentration, impairment level, and time until sober

Widmark Formula

BAC = (A / (W * r)) * 100 - (0.015 * t)

The Widmark formula estimates BAC using these variables:

  • A = total alcohol consumed in grams (standard drinks x 14g)
  • W = body weight in grams
  • r = Widmark factor (0.68 for males, 0.55 for females)
  • t = time in hours since first drink
  • 0.015 = average metabolic elimination rate (BAC per hour)

The Widmark factor accounts for differences in body water distribution between biological sexes. Males typically have a higher water-to-body-weight ratio, which dilutes alcohol more effectively.

The metabolic rate of 0.015% per hour is an average. Individual rates vary from about 0.010% to 0.020% per hour depending on liver function, genetics, and other factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is this BAC calculator?

This calculator uses the Widmark formula, which is the standard method for estimating BAC. However, actual BAC varies based on many factors including food intake, medication, liver health, and individual metabolism. This is an estimate for educational purposes only and should not be used to determine fitness to drive.

What is a standard drink?

In the United States, a standard drink contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol. This equals approximately 12 ounces of regular beer (5% ABV), 5 ounces of wine (12% ABV), or 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% ABV).

What is the legal BAC limit for driving?

In most US states, the legal BAC limit for driving is 0.08%. However, impairment begins at much lower levels. Many countries have lower limits (e.g., 0.05% in Australia, 0.02% in Sweden). Even below the legal limit, alcohol affects reaction time and judgment.

How long does it take for alcohol to leave your system?

On average, your body metabolizes alcohol at a rate of about 0.015% BAC per hour. This means one standard drink takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours to metabolize. Factors like body weight, liver health, food intake, and hydration can affect this rate.