Blood alcohol content

Alcohol distributes through body water, not fat. A larger person has more water to dilute alcohol, resulting in lower concentration. However, body composition varies — two people at the same weight but different body fat percentages will have different BACs.

On average, biological males have higher body water content (approximately 58%) than biological females (approximately 49%). With less water to dilute alcohol, females typically reach higher BACs from the same number of drinks.

Regular drinkers may feel less intoxicated at a given BAC. However, their actual physical impairment — slowed reaction time, reduced coordination — is the same. Tolerance creates dangerous false confidence.

Many medications intensify alcohol's effects. Liver conditions and other health factors affect metabolism. If you take medications, even small amounts of alcohol may affect you more than expected.

In all US states, 0.08% for drivers 21+. Commercial drivers: 0.04%. Under 21: zero tolerance in most states. Many countries use 0.05% or lower. Legal limits exist for enforcement, not safety — impairment begins well below these thresholds.

The body eliminates alcohol at approximately 0.015% BAC per hour. From 0.08%, reaching 0.00% takes roughly 5-6 hours. From 0.15%, about 10 hours. Nothing accelerates this. If you drink heavily at night, you may still be impaired the next morning.

No. This provides a rough mathematical estimate. Your actual BAC depends on factors that can't be measured here. Never use any estimate to decide whether to drive. The only safe choice after drinking is not to drive.

Food slows alcohol absorption, reducing peak BAC and spreading effects over longer time. However, food doesn't reduce total alcohol absorbed or speed elimination. Eating helps somewhat but doesn't make drinking and driving safer.