1. What is Blood Alcohol Content?

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is a measure of the amount of alcohol present in a person's bloodstream. It's expressed as a percentage of alcohol per volume of blood and is used to determine legal intoxication levels.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Widmark formula:

Where:

• \( alcohol_g \) — Grams of alcohol consumed
• \( body\_water \) — Total body water in liters (weight × 0.58 for men, 0.49 for women)
• \( r \) — 0.68 for men, 0.55 for women (alcohol distribution ratio)
• \( time \) — Time since drinking began (hours)
• 0.015 — Average alcohol elimination rate per hour

Explanation: The formula accounts for alcohol absorption, distribution, and elimination based on body composition and time.

3. Importance of BAC Calculation

Details: Knowing your BAC helps estimate intoxication level and determine if it's safe to drive. Most countries have legal limits (typically 0.05% to 0.08%).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter alcohol consumed in grams (1 standard drink ≈ 14g), your weight in kg, select gender, and time since drinking began. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It provides an estimate. Actual BAC can vary 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 spirits (40%).

Q3: How long does alcohol stay in your system?
A: The body metabolizes about 0.015% BAC per hour on average, but this varies by individual.

Q4: Why is gender a factor in BAC?
A: Women generally have less body water and different fat distribution, leading to higher BAC from the same alcohol amount.

Q5: Can I drive if my BAC is below legal limit?
A: Even below 0.08%, alcohol impairs judgment and reaction time. The safest BAC for driving is 0.00%.