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BAC Formula:
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Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is a measure of the amount of alcohol in a person's bloodstream. It is expressed as a percentage and is used to determine legal intoxication levels for driving and other activities.
The calculator uses the Widmark formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula estimates how alcohol is distributed in the body and metabolized over time, accounting for gender differences in body composition.
Details: Understanding your BAC level is crucial for making responsible decisions about driving and alcohol consumption. Legal limits vary by jurisdiction but are typically 0.08% for driving in most US states.
Tips: Enter alcohol consumed in ounces, weight in pounds, select gender, and hours since first drink. All values must be valid (alcohol > 0, weight > 0, hours >= 0).
Q1: How accurate is this BAC calculator?
A: This provides an estimate based on average metabolism rates. Individual factors like metabolism speed, food consumption, and medication can affect actual BAC.
Q2: What is the legal BAC limit for driving?
A: In most US states, the legal limit is 0.08%. For commercial drivers, it's typically 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, it's often 0.02% or zero tolerance.
Q3: How long does it take for alcohol to leave your system?
A: The body metabolizes alcohol at about 0.015% per hour on average. However, this can vary based on individual factors.
Q4: Does food consumption affect BAC?
A: Yes, eating before or while drinking can slow alcohol absorption and lower peak BAC levels.
Q5: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This is an estimate only. Individual metabolism, health conditions, medications, and other factors can significantly affect actual BAC levels.