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Widmark Formula:
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Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is a measure of the amount of alcohol in your 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 BAC based on the amount of alcohol consumed relative to body weight, adjusted for gender differences in body water distribution.
Details: Accurate BAC estimation is crucial for understanding impairment levels, making safe decisions about driving, and complying with legal limits. Most jurisdictions have a legal limit of 0.08% for driving.
Tips: Enter alcohol consumed in grams (note: one standard drink contains approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol), body weight in grams, and select gender. All values must be valid positive numbers.
Q1: What is considered a standard drink?
A: A standard drink contains about 14 grams of pure alcohol, equivalent to 12 oz beer (5% ABV), 5 oz wine (12% ABV), or 1.5 oz spirits (40% ABV).
Q2: What are the effects at different BAC levels?
A: 0.02-0.05%: Mild impairment; 0.05-0.08%: Significant impairment; 0.08%+: Legal intoxication in most areas; 0.30%+: Risk of alcohol poisoning.
Q3: How accurate is the Widmark formula?
A: It provides a rough estimate. Actual BAC can vary based on metabolism, food consumption, medication, and individual differences.
Q4: How long does it take for alcohol to leave the system?
A: The body metabolizes alcohol at about 0.015% per hour on average, but this varies by individual.
Q5: Can this calculator be used for legal purposes?
A: No, this is for educational purposes only. Legal determinations should be made with certified breathalyzer or blood tests.