1. What is Blood Alcohol Concentration?

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is a measure of the amount of alcohol in a person's bloodstream. It's expressed as a percentage representing grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. BAC is used to determine legal intoxication levels and assess impairment.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Widmark formula:

Where:

• \( grams\ of\ alcohol \) — Total alcohol consumed in grams
• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( r \) — Widmark factor (0.68 for males, 0.55 for females)

Explanation: The formula accounts for alcohol distribution in body water, with different distribution factors for men and women. The calculation also subtracts approximately 0.015% per hour for alcohol metabolism.

3. Understanding BAC Levels

Typical Effects:

• 0.02-0.03%: Mild euphoria, slight relaxation
• 0.05-0.06%: Reduced inhibitions, exaggerated behavior
• 0.08%: Legal limit for driving in most countries, impaired coordination
• 0.15%: Gross motor impairment, blurred vision
• 0.30%: Possible loss of consciousness
• 0.40%+: Potentially fatal

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: For accurate results, enter the total grams of alcohol consumed (standard drinks × alcohol content), your exact weight, and time since drinking began. Remember this is only an estimate - many factors can affect actual BAC.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It provides a rough estimate. Actual BAC can vary based on food intake, metabolism rate, medication, and individual differences.

Q2: How do I convert drinks to grams of alcohol?
A: A standard drink contains about 14 grams of alcohol (12 oz beer at 5%, 5 oz wine at 12%, 1.5 oz spirits at 40%).

Q3: Why is the Widmark factor different for men and women?
A: Women typically have higher body fat percentage and less body water, leading to higher BAC from the same alcohol amount.

Q4: How long does alcohol stay in your system?
A: The liver metabolizes alcohol at about 0.015% BAC per hour on average, but this varies by individual.

Q5: Can I use this to determine if I'm safe to drive?
A: No calculator can guarantee safety. If you've been drinking, don't drive. Many places have strict limits (often 0.05% or 0.08%).