1. What is Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)?

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

2. How Does the BAC Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Widmark formula:

Where:

• \( A \) — Alcohol consumed in grams
• \( W \) — Body weight in grams
• \( r \) — Distribution ratio (0.68 for males, 0.55 for females)
• \( \beta \) — Alcohol elimination rate (average 0.015%/hour)
• \( t \) — Time since first drink in hours

Explanation: The formula accounts for alcohol absorption, distribution in body water, and metabolic elimination over time.

3. Importance of BAC Calculation

Details: Knowing your BAC helps understand impairment levels, make responsible decisions about driving, and avoid alcohol poisoning. Legal limits are typically 0.08% in many countries.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter alcohol consumed in grams (1 standard drink ≈ 14g), your weight in grams, select gender, and time since first drink. Note this is an estimate - many factors affect actual BAC.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: What's considered a standard drink?
A: Typically 14g alcohol: 12oz beer (5%), 5oz wine (12%), or 1.5oz liquor (40%).

Q3: How long does alcohol stay in your system?
A: Alcohol is metabolized at about 0.015% BAC per hour on average, but this varies by individual.

Q4: Why does gender affect BAC?
A: Women generally have higher BAC than men after same drinks due to lower water content and different enzyme activity.

Q5: Can I use this to determine if I'm safe to drive?
A: This is only an estimate. The only safe driving limit is zero alcohol. Impairment begins well below legal limits.