ETG Elimination Calculator
Track how ETG can decline over time. Get model-based estimates for when alcohol metabolites may fall below common cutoff levels.
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 — above common cutoffs
- Monday morning (32h later): ~78 ng/mL — below 100 ng/mL in the model
ETG Cutoff Levels Explained
Estimated ETG level is below even the strictest 100 ng/mL cutoff (used in probation and court-ordered programs)
Could fall below a 500 ng/mL cutoff while still exceeding stricter monitoring cutoffs
Estimated ETG level is above the 500 ng/mL cutoff used by many workplace and pre-employment drug screenings
Estimated ETG level is well above common cutoffs, often associated with heavier or more recent drinking
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.
Above standard cutoff in the model
The Friday Happy Hour
2 glasses of wine at dinner Friday night, nothing else all weekend. Scheduled test Monday morning.
Below 100 ng/mL in the model
The Wedding Weekend
Open bar at a Saturday wedding — you lost count after 8 drinks. Test scheduled for Wednesday.
Below 500 ng/mL, near stricter cutoffs
The Random Work Test
3 drinks at Thursday happy hour. HR emails Friday afternoon: 'Report for testing Monday 9am.'
Below both common cutoffs in the model
Remember: these are estimates based on average metabolism. Some people metabolize faster, some slower. Use the examples to understand cutoff context, not to guarantee a result.
What Affects ETG Elimination Speed?
ETG elimination isn't one-size-fits-all. Your body's ability to reduce alcohol metabolite levels depends on several factors. Understanding these can help you interpret your results more accurately.
Factors That May Speed Up Elimination
- Healthy liver function — Your liver processes most ETG — liver health can affect the estimated decline
- Adequate hydration — Water helps flush metabolites through your kidneys
- Higher body mass — Larger bodies distribute and process alcohol across more tissue
- Younger age — Metabolism typically slows with age
Factors That May Slow Down Elimination
- Liver disease or damage — Compromised liver function can significantly slow the estimated decline
- Dehydration — Less fluid means slower kidney filtration
- Chronic heavy drinking — Regular heavy use can impair metabolic pathways
- Certain medications — Some drugs compete for the same liver enzymes
Why "80 Hours" Is Misleading
Many sources claim ETG is detectable for 80 hours. This is a worst-case maximum, not a typical result. In reality, detection windows vary dramatically based on consumption:
The 80-hour figure comes from studies of heavy drinkers. For many light to moderate consumption scenarios, estimates fall below common cutoffs sooner.
ETG Elimination vs Other Alcohol Tests
Different tests detect alcohol for different time periods. ETG specifically tracks a metabolite, not alcohol itself.
| Test Type | Detection Window | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Breathalyzer | Up to 24 hours | Alcohol in breath |
| Blood test | 12-24 hours | Blood alcohol concentration |
| ETG urine test This tool | 24-80 hours | ETG metabolite levels |
| Hair follicle | Up to 90 days | ETG in hair |
ETG tests are popular because they provide a longer detection window than breath or blood tests, while being less invasive than hair testing.
How to Use
- 1
Enter the number of standard drinks you consumed (1 beer = 1 glass of wine = 1 shot).
- 2
Set how many hours have passed since your last drink.
- 3
View your estimated current ETG level and cutoff comparison.
- 4
Check the estimated time to reach both 500ng and 100ng cutoffs.
- 5
Remember: these are estimates. Consult the relevant testing program, lab, healthcare provider, or legal professional for case-specific guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
ETG elimination refers to your body's process of reducing Ethyl Glucuronide (ETG) levels. ETG is a direct metabolite produced by your liver when processing alcohol. Unlike alcohol itself, which drops in hours, ETG can remain detectable for days. The model follows half-life decay patterns, but real people vary.
ETG can remain detectable for 24-80 hours depending on how much you drank, the cutoff used, and individual metabolism. Light drinking (1-2 drinks) is often below common cutoffs within 24-48 hours. Moderate drinking (3-5 drinks) may remain detectable for 48-72 hours. Heavy drinking (6+ drinks) may remain detectable for 72-80+ hours. These are estimates.
There's no proven way to significantly speed up ETG elimination. Your liver processes ETG at a relatively fixed rate (half-life of 2-3 hours). Staying hydrated supports normal kidney function, but won't dramatically accelerate metabolism. Products claiming to 'flush' or 'detox' ETG are not scientifically validated.
Alcohol (ethanol) is eliminated from your body within hours — typically at a rate of about one standard drink per hour. ETG is a byproduct created during alcohol metabolism and remains detectable much longer. You can feel completely sober while still having detectable ETG levels. That's why ETG tests can detect drinking that occurred days ago.
The cutoff doesn't change how fast ETG leaves your body — it changes the concentration threshold used for interpretation. A 500ng/mL cutoff is less sensitive than a 100ng/mL cutoff, so the same ETG level can be interpreted differently. Same elimination rate, different detection windows.
Related Tools
ETG Urine Test Calculator
Our main ETG detection tool
ETG Half-Life Calculator
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ETG Detection Time Chart
Visual breakdown by drinks
ETG Detection Times Explained
Understand detection windows by amount
ETG Cutoff Levels
Compare common ETG test thresholds
ETG Calculation Formula
The science behind the math
Standard Drink Guide
Know exactly what counts as one drink
This calculator provides estimates based on average pharmacokinetic data. Individual elimination rates vary significantly based on metabolism, liver health, hydration, and other factors. Results should not be used as the sole basis for decisions about alcohol testing. Consult a healthcare provider, legal professional, lab, or testing program for case-specific guidance.