Blood Alcohol Concentration
(BAC) Information
Calculate Your BAC
Blood/Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream or on one's breath. BAC is expressed as the weight of ethanol, measured in grams, in 100 milliliters of blood, or 210 liters of breath. BAC can be measured by breath, blood, or urine tests.
- Wisconsin defines legal intoxication for purposes of driving as having a BAC of 0.08 or greater, in most cases. But alcohol may affect driving skills at BACs of 0.05 or even lower.
- Driving skills, especially judgment, are impaired in most people long before they show signs of drunkenness. The public usually associates BAC with "drunk driving." But it's more accurate to refer to "alcohol-impaired" driving because you do not have to be "drunk" to be impaired in your ability to safely drive a car.
My BAC - What's It Mean?**
People who have developed tolerance over time to alcohol's effects may experience some or most of these effects only at higher BACs. If this is the case, a student should seriously consider decreasing their alcohol intake as high tolerance is a risk factor for future alcohol problems.
Some people naturally have lower tolerances to alcohol. For them alcohol effects will be experienced at lower BACs. Also, some experience very negative effects from extremely low levels of alcohol consumption. Caution should be exercised in any decisions about drinking to specific BAC levels.
Some people naturally have lower tolerances to alcohol. For them alcohol effects will be experienced at lower BACs. Also, some experience very negative effects from extremely low levels of alcohol consumption. Caution should be exercised in any decisions about drinking to specific BAC levels.
| .02-.03% BAC | Light drinkers feel some effects. |
| .04-.05% BAC | Most drinkers feel relaxed. Feeling of well-being and possibly some lowering of inhibitions. Sensation of warmth. |
| .055% BAC | BAC which college research subjects have found that produces the highest percentages of positive alcohol effects with the fewest negative effects (These were individuals with little or no tolerance to alcohol.) Judgment may be slightly impaired in some drinkers. Lowering of caution.> |
| .06-.07% BAC | Increased relaxed and/or euphoria. Judgment is impaired. Behavior can become exaggerated and emotions may become intensified (positive and negative emotions are felt much more strongly). |
| .08% BAC | Impaired coordination and possibly slowed reaction times. Euphoria. Drunk driving level in WI and all other states for those over 21. |
| .09-.10% BAC | Loss of reaction time and control. Slight impairment in balance, speech, vision, and hearing. Individuals usually think they are functioning better than they really are. |
| .11-.125% BAC | Significant impairment of motor coordination and loss of good judgment. Speech may be slurred; balance, vision, reaction time, and hearing will be impaired. Difficulty accurately evaluating sexual situations.Vomiting if reached quickly. |
| .13-.15% BAC | Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred vision and major loss of balance. Euphoria is reduced and dysphoria (anxiety, restlessness) begins to appear. Judgment and perception are severely impaired. |
| .16-.19% BAC | Dysphoria predominates. Nausea may appear. The drinker has the appearance of a "sloppy drunk." Men will probably have difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. |
| .20% BAC | Feeling dazed, confused or otherwise disoriented. May need to stand or walk. If you injure yourself you may not feel the pain. Some experience nausea and vomiting at this level. The gag reflex is impaired and you can choke if you do vomit. Blackouts (lack of memory for what happened during this time) are likely at this level. |
| .25% BAC | All mental, physical and sensory functions are severely impaired. Increased risk of asphyxiation from choking on vomit and of seriously injuring oneself by falls or other accidents. |
| .30% BAC | Confusion, stupor, little comprehension of where one is. Trouble standing. Some pass out and it may be difficult to awaken them. |
| .35% BAC | Coma is possible. This is the level of surgical anesthesia. |
| .40% BAC | Most pass out. Greater chances of coma. Possible death due to respiratory arrest. |
| .45% BAC | Breathing stops. Death. |
Gender and Weight Differences
and Their Impact on BAC
and Their Impact on BAC
| 120 lb. Women Drinking 4 12-oz beers in 2-hour Period | BAC approx .112 |
| 120 lb. Man Drinking 4 12-oz beers in 2-hour Period | BAC approx .088 |
| 180 lb. Man Drinking 4 12-oz beers in 2-hour Period | BAC approx .044 |
| 180 lb. Man Drinking 7 12-oz beers in 4-hour Period | BAC approx .072 |
| 120 lb. Women Drinking 7 12-oz beers in 4-hour Period | BAC approx. 191 |