Blood Alcohol Concentration Calculator

Calculate your blood alcohol concentration to get a rough estimate of your individual blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

This guide does not replace professional care. In emergencies, call 000 or visit a hospital immediately.

What is the BAC in Australia?

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) refers to the amount or portion of alcohol present in your body’s bloodstream. It is typically measured in grams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. In Australia, A BAC of 0.05% is the legal limit for driving, depending on the type of licence. This calculator provides a rough estimate of the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream and your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). It factors in your weight and the number of drinks consumed over a set period to offer an approximate BAC level.

Estimate your blood alcohol concentration

This tool gives a general estimate of your BAC after consuming a certain amount of alcohol in one sitting. Please note that this is only an estimate and not entirely accurate, as many individual factors such as food intake, drink type, body type, sex, and metabolic rate can influence BAC and are not accounted for in this calculation. This tool should never be used to decide whether it is safe or legal to drive. The only way to guarantee you remain under the legal BAC limit is to avoid alcohol altogether.
Male Female

All content and media published on Hola are provided for informational purposes only and are not a replacement for professional medical advice. It should not be used as health or personal advice. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional with any questions about your health or medical condition. Do not ignore or delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read on this website. In case of a medical emergency, contact your doctor, visit the nearest hospital emergency department, or call emergency services right away.

What are the key points about BAC?

  • The measurement of BAC is in grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood (g%).
  • The upper limit of BAC in Australia is 0.05% for driving. It varies and lowers depending on the licence.
  • Factors influencing BAC include (and are not limited to) speed of alcohol consumption, weight, sex, and alcohol tolerance.
  • Effects of BAC vary from mild effects (relaxation) to serious consequences (like loss of consciousness).
  • Alcohol can initially have stimulant effects, but as BAC increases, the depressant effects become more pronounced.
In Australia, driving with a blood alcohol level over 0.05% is illegal. If you plan to drink, it’s important to consider safer transport alternatives such as public transport, rideshare services, or arranging a designated driver to ensure you get home safely.

Examples of BAC levels with meaning

BAC Level Potential Effects
0.00% There’s no alcohol in your blood (you’re sober).
0.02% Altered mood, relaxation, and a slight loss of judgment.
0.05% Feeling uninhibited, lowered alertness, and impaired judgment.
0.08% Reduced muscle coordination, difficulty detecting danger, impaired reasoning.
0.10% Reduced reaction time, slurred speech, and slowed thinking.
0.15% Altered mood, nausea, vomiting, and loss of balance and some muscle control.
0.15% to 0.30% Confusion, vomiting, and drowsiness.
0.30% to 0.40% Likely alcohol poisoning, loss of consciousness.
Over 0.40% Risk of coma and death due to respiratory arrest (absence of breathing).

What does the BAC calculation mean?

There’s no guarantee that staying below a certain number of drinks will ensure your BAC remains below 0.05. It’s best to be cautious. If you plan to drive, it’s always best to avoid alcohol altogether.
  • 0.05 g% blood alcohol level  – It is generally achieved after consuming around 2 standard drinks for men and 1 standard drink for women within the first hour. And then one standard drink/hour thereafter. But many factors like gender, food intake, weight and more can affect BAC.
  • 0.20 – 0.29 g% blood alcohol level  – It is generally a feeling of confusion or disorientation, in which you may need help walking. Nausea or vomiting is common at this level.
  • 0.05 – 0.15 g% blood alcohol level –  It is likely to put you at risk. Effects include impaired judgment and low inhibitions.
  • 0.08 – 0.15 g% blood alcohol level  – It is a risky state. Effects include unstable emotions, nausea, vomiting and slurred speech.

What is meant by standard drink?

A standard drink is roughly 10g of pure alcohol, says the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care . This can vary by beverage type (beer, wine, spirits) and size.

How many drinks is 0.05 for women?

BAC levels vary based on factors like body weight, metabolism, and food intake, so these are just guidelines. For an average-sized woman, one or two standard drinks within 1-2 hours could reach a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.05.

Does urinating lower BAC?

No, urinating does not lower Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). Alcohol is primarily metabolised by the liver, and only a small percentage is eliminated through urine, sweat, and breath. The amount eliminated through urine is negligible compared to the amount broken down by the liver, so urinating does not significantly impact BAC.

What alcohol level is too high?

Determining when your blood alcohol level is too high depends on the context. Staying under the limits doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe to drive. Any amount of alcohol can be considered “too much” if you are pregnant, under the legal drinking age, planning to drive, at higher risk for alcohol-related cancers, managing certain chronic health conditions, or taking medications that interact with alcohol. In terms of toxicity, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.40% can be life-threatening, potentially leading to respiratory depression, coma, or death.

How many standard drinks would I drink before I reach 0.05?

There is no standard rule of thumb as it depends on many factors as age, food, rate of consumption, emotional state, gender, metabolism, health condition (diabetes), medications, fat and muscle content, weight and alcohol tolerance.
BAC Factors
BAC Factors

What BAC level is good for you?

No amount of alcohol is good for your health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “safe” alcohol consumption doesn’t mean there are health benefits. That glass of wine for dinner may have some antioxidants, but the benefits aren’t outweighing the negative impacts of alcohol on your body.

How is BAC measured?

Blood alcohol concentration can be measured with a breathalyser or by analysing a sample of blood, saliva, or urine.

Can I get medical advice, even late at night, for BAC?

Yes, with Hola Health, you can get medical advice 24/7 — even late at night — including concerns related to blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Our Australian-registered practitioners are available anytime via secure telehealth consultations  to guide you on symptoms of alcohol overconsumption, BAC-related effects, or whether further care is needed. In addition to BAC-related advice, our Hola online doctor  also offers supportfor: Hola is safe, secure, and 100% online — no need to wait for a clinic to open.

Access telehealth services