Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) Calculator​

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Bac Pedia

What Is Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)?

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), is a measure of alcoholism used for legal or medical purposes. It is usually measured as a percentage of the mass or volume of alcohol per unit volume of blood. For example, a BAC of 0.10% in North America means 0.10 g of alcohol per deciliter of blood.

US Standard Drink Chart
Alcohol
ml
fl oz
Unit
Alcohol (% by volume)
Alcohol Content
40% ABV Spirits
44
1.5
1 shot
40
0.6 US fl oz (18 ml)
Light Table Wine
148
5
1 glass
12
0.6 US fl oz (18 ml)
Beer
355
12
1 bottle
5
0.6 US fl oz (18 ml)

Blood Alcohol Level Chart​

Blood Alcohol Level Chart​

"The % of alcohol in your blood can be estimated by COUNTING YOUR DRINKS (1-drink equaling 1 volume oz. of 100 proof alcohol or 1-12 oz. bottle of beer or 5 ozs. of table wine)."

Blood Alcohol Level Chart Picture and quotes from BLOOD-ALCOHOL CHART .

Effects by blood alcohol concentration

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) reflects the percentage of alcohol in the body's blood. As the BAC rises, the depressant effect of alcohol on the central nervous system increases, leading to progressive impairment of cognitive, motor and physiological functions, including the appearance of flushing, fever, talking too much, large tongue, slurred speech, balance disorders, slurred speech, desire to sleep, and, in severe cases, complete loss of consciousness with respiratory distress and even death. Individual differences (e.g., weight, metabolic rate, drinking habits) can affect the actual response.

BAC and Behavior/Impairment Level Chart​

BAC (% by volume)
Behavioral
Cognitive Impairments
0.010–0.029
Mild euphoria, relaxation, slightly talkative
Slight decline in attention, slower reaction time
0.030–0.059
Increased confidence, impaired judgment, heightened excitement
Reduced hand-eye coordination, impaired visual tracking
0.06–0.09
Clear signs of intoxication, poor self-control, louder speech
Loss of balance, increased risky behavior (e.g., drunk driving), memory lapses
0.10–0.19
Slurred speech, emotional instability, unsteady gait
Severe motor dysfunction, nausea/vomiting, complete loss of judgment
0.20–0.29
Possible unconsciousness, inability to move voluntarily
Respiratory depression, hypothermia, potential loss of consciousness
0.30–0.39
Coma or near-death state
Cardiovascular failure, extremely high risk of hypothermia
0.40–0.50
Deep coma, weak vital signs
Respiratory or cardiac arrest, high fatality rate
>0.50
Typically fatal
Multi-organ failure, complete respiratory collapse

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Legal Standards

Drunk Driving BAC Limits in Selected Countries

Country
Legal BAC
Criminal BAC
Penalties
Notes
United States
0.08%
≥0.08%
Fines, imprisonment, license suspension
Utah: 0.05%; commercial drivers: 0.04%
China
0.03%
≥0.08%
Detention, criminal liability
0.03% = administrative offense
France
0.05%
≥0.08%
Fines up to €4,500, license suspension
Novice drivers: 0.02% BAC
South Korea
0.03%
≥0.08%
Fines, imprisonment up to 1 year
Taxi/bus drivers: 0.00%
Norway
0.02%
≥0.02%
Heavy fines, 1-year license ban
Zero tolerance for under 21
India
0.03%
≥0.03%
Imprisonment (6 months), license cancellation
Zero tolerance in some states
Mexico
0.08%
≥0.15%
Fines, 36-hour detention
Random breath tests common
South Africa
0.05%
≥0.05%
Fines, 6-year license ban
Mandatory blood test refusal penalty
New Zealand
0.05%
≥0.13%
Unlimited fines, 3-month imprisonment
Under 20: 0.00% BAC
Spain
0.05%
≥0.12%
Fines (€1,000), license suspension
Professional drivers: 0.03%
Saudi Arabia
0.00%
≥0.00%
Imprisonment, deportation (for expats)
Alcohol consumption illegal nationwide
Italy
0.05%
≥0.08%
Fines (€5,000), vehicle confiscation
Novice drivers: 0.00%
Netherlands
0.05%
≥0.08%
Fines (€1,000), 6-month suspension
Repeat offenders: prison
Singapore
0.08%
≥0.08%
Fines (S$10,000), 5-year imprisonment
Repeat offenders: caning
Argentina
0.05%
≥0.05%
License suspension (1-4 years)
Zero tolerance for truck drivers
Ireland
0.05%
≥0.08%
€5,000 fine, 6-month imprisonment
Learner drivers: 0.02%
Turkey
0.05%
≥0.11%
License suspension, judicial fine
Commercial drivers: 0.00%
UAE
0.00%
≥0.00%
Imprisonment, deportation (expats)
Zero tolerance for all drivers
Czech Republic
0.00%
≥0.00%
License suspension, criminal charges
Novice drivers: 0.00% BAC
Hungary
0.00%
≥0.00%
Heavy fines, 1-year license ban
Strict zero-tolerance policy
Greece
0.05%
≥0.11%
€200-1,200 fine, 6-month suspension
Professional drivers: 0.02%
Portugal
0.05%
≥0.12%
€1,250-2,500 fine, 2-year suspension
Novice drivers: 0.02%
Denmark
0.05%
≥0.12%
Fine (up to DKK 10,000), license ban
Commercial drivers: 0.02%
Finland
0.05%
≥0.12%
Day-fine system (income-based)
Under 20: 0.00% BAC
Poland
0.02%
≥0.05%
Fine up to PLN 5,000, 3-year ban
Professional drivers: 0.00%
Malaysia
0.08%
≥0.08%
RM 10,000 fine, 5-year imprisonment
Repeat offenders: higher penalties
Egypt
0.00%
≥0.00%
Imprisonment (3 months), license cancellation
Islamic law influence
Chile
0.05%
≥0.08%
Fine (UF 10-20), lifetime license ban
Public transport: 0.00%