Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Calculator

Most people have seen the police using breathalysers on suspected drunk drivers. They are asked to blow into a machine and the estimated blood alcohol level is generated. The punishment for drunk driving could range from a fine to even imprisonment for up to 4 years. Drinking alcohol impairs concentration and can result in accidents and severe impairment. Therefore, people are advised not to drive or perform any task requiring focus after drinking. A Blood Alcohol Content Calculator can come in handy in this regard; read ahead for details.

Here’s how you can use a Blood Alcohol Content Calculator. 

1. Visit a credible website or download a reliable app featuring a Blood Alcohol Content Calculator. 

2. Enter the required details such as the following. 

3. Hit calculate.

To calculate Blood Alcohol Content, one must first determine how much alcohol has been consumed. Alcoholic preparations are varied in type. Each of these types has different concentrations of alcohol. 

When you purchase a drink, typically, it comes with a value called Alcohol by Volume, which is a measure of how much alcohol is present in a given volume of an alcoholic beverage. By knowing the ABV and the number of drinks you've had, one can determine the amount of alcohol consumed.

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is calculated by the Widmark Formula: BAC = 100 x {Alcohol mass consumed in grams ÷ (Body weight in grams x r)}

Where r is a gender constant. It has the following values:

r in males = 0.55

r in females = 0.68 

BAC is expressed as a percentage. 

It is important to note at this juncture, that most of the time, alcohol is consumed over time. People generally consume a few drinks over a period of time, and not all at once. This has to be accounted for because as time goes by, your body metabolises alcohol. This can be calculated as follows:

BAC after a period of drinking = BAC - (elapsed time in hours x 0.015)

With different blood concentrations of alcohol varying effects can be seen in terms of behaviour. Here’s a table highlighting the effects alcohol content might have on the person’s behaviour. 

The body takes time to fully metabolise alcohol. Therefore, it takes time to fully regain sobriety. The higher the BAC, the higher the unwanted effects of alcohol and the longer it takes for one to sober up. Spacing your drinks appropriately helps your body maintain a lower level of BAC, which means that you can sober up faster. Please remember that drinking alcohol is injurious to health. If you are consuming alcohol, remember to do it safely and responsibly. Do not drive, or operate heavy machinery if you've consumed any drinks. Make sure you are in a safe environment. Alcohol also causes dehydration, so remember to drink plenty of water. 

There are various short-term and long-term risks associated with alcohol consumption such as the following. 

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. Please consult a doctor before making any health-related decisions.