Alcohol ETG Calculator
How long will alcohol show up on your test? Enter your drinking details to estimate when you'll be in the clear. Completely private — we don't store anything.
Calculate Your ETG Level
Enter your drinking details for an instant estimate
Estimated ETG Level
Employment / Driving tests
Probation / Court-ordered tests
Estimates only. Individual metabolism varies significantly. This is not medical or legal advice.
How ETG Calculation Works
ETG(t) = Peak × 0.5^(t / half-life)ETG (Ethyl Glucuronide) is what your body creates after processing alcohol. Unlike a breathalyzer that only catches you when actively drunk, ETG stays in your urine for days — that's why it's used for probation and workplace testing.
Your ETG level drops by half roughly every 3 hours. So if you start at 10,000 ng/mL, you'll be around 5,000 after 3 hours, then 2,500 after 6 hours, and so on.
Everyone metabolizes alcohol differently. Your liver speed, body weight, hydration, and even genetics all play a role. Our calculator uses averages from medical research — your actual numbers could be 20-30% higher or lower.
Example: 4 Drinks on a Saturday Night
- 4 standard drinks (stopped at midnight)
- Peak ETG: ~20,000 ng/mL
- Sunday noon (12h later): ~1,250 ng/mL — still failing
- Monday morning (32h later): ~78 ng/mL — likely clear
ETG Cutoff Levels Explained
You'll pass even the toughest tests (probation, court-ordered, zero-tolerance programs)
You might pass a standard work test, but could fail strict monitoring — risky territory
You'll fail most workplace and pre-employment drug screenings at this level
Heavy recent drinking — typically within the past 24-36 hours
Research Sources
- Wurst FM et al. (2006) 'Ethyl glucuronide — update' Forensic Science International
- SAMHSA Guidelines for ETG/ETS Testing
- Helander A, Beck O (2005) 'Ethyl sulfate: a metabolite of ethanol' Clinical Chemistry
Real-World Scenarios
These examples show what typical results look like. Your numbers will vary based on your body, but this gives you a realistic idea of what to expect.
The Monday Morning Test
4 beers at a Sunday BBQ with friends, stopped drinking around 6pm. Boss schedules a random test for Monday 8am.
Likely fail standard test
The Friday Happy Hour
2 glasses of wine at dinner Friday night, nothing else all weekend. Scheduled test Monday morning.
You're clear
The Wedding Weekend
Open bar at a Saturday wedding — you lost count after 8 drinks. Test scheduled for Wednesday.
Might pass standard, could fail strict
The Random Work Test
3 drinks at Thursday happy hour. HR emails Friday afternoon: 'Report for testing Monday 9am.'
Should pass both cutoffs
Remember: these are estimates based on average metabolism. Some people clear faster, some slower. If your test really matters, add extra buffer time.
Why Use an Alcohol ETG Calculator?
Unlike breathalyzers that only detect current intoxication, an alcohol ETG calculator helps you understand how long alcohol metabolites stay in your system. ETG (Ethyl Glucuronide) is a direct biomarker your liver produces when processing alcohol — and it sticks around for days.
This matters because many testing programs specifically look for ETG, not just alcohol itself. Whether you're facing a probation test, workplace screening, or court-ordered monitoring, knowing your estimated ETG level can help you make informed decisions about timing.
Key differences from other alcohol tests:
- Breathalyzer: Only detects active intoxication (hours)
- Blood test: Detects alcohol for 12-24 hours
- ETG urine test: Detects alcohol use for 24-80+ hours
Our calculator uses the same half-life formula used in forensic toxicology research. While individual results vary based on metabolism, body weight, and liver health, this gives you a science-based starting point for understanding your risk level.
How to Use
- 1
Count your total standard drinks. One drink = 12oz regular beer, 5oz wine, or 1.5oz spirits. Strong beers and large pours count as more.
- 2
Enter hours since you finished drinking. Not when you started — when you had your last sip.
- 3
Check your estimated ETG level and risk status. Red = high risk, green = likely clear.
- 4
Review time until safe for both cutoffs: standard (500ng) for most jobs, strict (100ng) for probation.
- 5
Add buffer time. If the calculator says 10 hours, wait 15. Your body might be slower than average.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on how much you drank. Light drinking (1-2 drinks) typically clears in 12-24 hours. Moderate drinking (3-5 drinks) takes 24-48 hours. Heavy drinking (6+ drinks) can take 48-72 hours or more. The often-quoted '80 hours' is an extreme case — most people clear much faster. Use the calculator above for a personalized estimate based on your specific situation.
What matters is the amount of pure alcohol, not the drink type. Your body produces the same ETG whether you drink beer, wine, or spirits. What counts is 'standard drinks': one 12oz beer equals one 5oz glass of wine equals one 1.5oz shot. A strong craft beer (8% ABV) counts as about 1.5 standard drinks. A large pour of wine might be 2 drinks. Count carefully.
When you drink, your liver breaks down alcohol (ethanol) into various byproducts. One of these is ETG (ethyl glucuronide) — think of it as alcohol's 'fingerprint' that sticks around after the alcohol itself is gone. Your body produces peak ETG levels about 2-3 hours after drinking, then it gradually decreases with a half-life of roughly 3 hours. That's why ETG tests can catch drinking from days ago, not just current intoxication.
Several factors influence your personal clearance rate: body weight (larger people generally process faster), liver health, hydration level, food intake, genetics, and age. Women typically have higher peak ETG levels than men for the same amount of alcohol. Chronic heavy drinkers may have altered metabolism. The calculator uses research averages — your actual results could be 20-30% different.
No — water doesn't speed up ETG metabolism. Your liver processes ETG at a fixed rate regardless of hydration. What water does is dilute your urine sample, which labs often flag as 'dilute' and may require a retest. Some programs count dilute samples as automatic failures. Stay normally hydrated, but don't try to flush your system — it doesn't work and may backfire.
Yes, this is real. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers, certain mouthwashes, some medications, and even vanilla extract can introduce alcohol to your system and cause positive ETG readings. However, these typically produce low levels (under 500ng/mL). Most standard tests use 500ng as the cutoff specifically to filter out 'incidental exposure.' If you're on strict 100ng monitoring, avoid all alcohol-containing products and check medication labels.
Related Tools
ETG Urine Test Calculator
Our main ETG detection tool
ETG Detection Time Chart
Visual breakdown by drinks
Realistic ETG Detection Times
In-depth guide to understanding ETG test windows
ETG Calculation Formula
The science behind the math
ETG Half-Life Calculator
Visualize decay over time
Standard Drink Guide
Know exactly what counts as one drink
This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only — not medical or legal advice. Individual metabolism varies significantly. Don't base important decisions solely on this tool. If you have an important test, add extra buffer time beyond what's shown. When uncertain, consult a healthcare provider or legal professional.