Blood Alcohol Content Calculator

How is the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) calculated?

The Blood Alcohol Content is most efficiently calculated with the help of Widmark's basic formula. This is a widely used formula to help one ascertain the level of alcohol in his or her bloodstream. The simplified version of the Widmark formula is:

BAC % = ((A * 5.14) / (W * r)) - (0.015 * H)

• A is quantity of alcohol in ounce × number of drinks consumed × (alcohol content percentage / 100)
• W is the person's weight (in pounds)
• r is a gender constant of alcohol distribution: 0.73 for males and 0.66 for females
• H denotes the hours elapsed since drinking commenced

If you have been drinking over a period of time, you will need to account for the elapsed time and the amount of alcohol that your body has already metabolized.

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) Specific Effects

The effects of alcohol intoxication are greatly influenced by variations among users. Some users may become intoxicated at a much lower Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level than shown.

• If the BAC level is between 0.020% and 0.039%, there is said to be no loss of coordination, euphoria is present, and there is a loss of shyness. The person is mildly relaxed and he may be a little lightheaded.
• If the BAC level is between 0.040% and 0.059%, there is a feeling of well-being, low inhibitions, and relaxation. There is slight impairment of judgment. There is a minor impairment of reasoning and memory, and the person is less cautious. You seem to have an exaggerated behavior and emotions of happiness or sadness are felt more intensely.
• If the BAC level is between 0.06% and 0.099%, there is widespread impairment. Driving becomes dangerous as the skills utilized in driving are impaired. Vision, steering, lane changing and reaction time are impaired along with balance, speech, and hearing. Feelings of euphoria in some. There is reduced self-control and caution. A lot of risk gets involved. Judgment, reasoning, and memory get impaired. You are likely to believe that you are functioning better than you really are.
• If the BAC level is between 0.100% and 0.129%, there is a significant impairment of motor coordination and loss of good judgment. Slurred speech is seen. Impairment of balance, vision, reaction time, and hearing is also visible. The person is not thinking straight.
• If the BAC level is between 0.130% and 0.159%, apparently the person is very obviously drunk. Judgment, perception, and major motor skills are severely impaired. Very slow reaction time is seen. Vision gets blurred, there is a loss of balance, and the speech also gets slurred. Feelings of anxiety and restlessness or dysphoria soon replace feelings of well being. Vomiting is a common feature.
• If the BAC level is between 0.160% and 0.199%, the person has the appearance of a 'sloppy drunk.' At this particular point, most of the drunkards begin to feel incapacitated. Many pass out. The person becomes nauseated and he has difficulty focusing on any given object.
• If the BAC level is between 0.200% and 0.249%, the person is supposed to have lost it. He is confused and dizzy and requires help to even stand or walk. Even if the person is injured, he will not feel the pain. There is severe nausea and vomiting. Impairment of gag reflex is evident and you can choke if you vomit. Blackouts are likely to happen.
• If the BAC level is between 0.250% and 0.399%, there is severe impairment in all mental, physical, and sensory functions. There is near total loss of motor function control. There is an increased risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit. Falls or other accidents are very likely to happen thereby seriously injuring the person.
• If the BAC level is above 0.40% then the person is said to be in an extremely life-threatening situation. There is little to no comprehension of your whereabouts. Pass out episodes are sudden and there would be difficulty awakening the person. The person is completely unconscious. The person can go into a state of coma. Thus, the level of surgical anesthesia has reached. If care is not taken, death is inevitable.