ETG Test FAQ

EtG (Ethyl Glucuronide) can typically be detected in urine for 24 to 80 hours after drinking, depending on the amount consumed, your metabolism, hydration levels, and other individual factors. Light drinking (1-2 drinks) may only be detectable for 24-48 hours, while heavy drinking (6+ drinks) can extend detection to 80+ hours or more.

Our calculator provides estimates based on published scientific research on ETG metabolism and half-life data. However, individual results can vary significantly due to factors like body weight, liver function, hydration, and genetic differences. Think of it as a helpful guide, not a guarantee. When stakes are high, err on the side of caution.

Common ETG cutoff levels are 500 ng/mL (standard), 100 ng/mL (low-level), and 50 ng/mL (research). Probation testing often uses the 500 ng/mL cutoff, but some programs use lower thresholds for stricter monitoring. Always check with your supervising officer or testing facility for your specific requirements.

It depends on how much you drank. For light to moderate drinking (1-3 drinks), most people will test negative at the 500 ng/mL cutoff within 48 hours. Heavy drinking may require 72+ hours or more. Our calculator can help estimate your specific situation based on your drinking amount and time elapsed.

Key factors include: amount of alcohol consumed, time since last drink, body weight and composition, liver health and metabolism rate, hydration levels, age, and genetic factors. Women generally metabolize alcohol more slowly than men of similar weight. Chronic heavy drinkers may also have altered metabolism patterns.

That 80-hour number gets thrown around a lot, but it's misleading. Yes, in extreme cases — heavy binge drinking plus very sensitive lab equipment — ETG can be detected that long. But for normal drinking (2-4 drinks), you're looking at 24-48 hours max. The 80-hour thing is the worst-case scenario, not typical. Most standard tests use 500ng/mL cutoffs, which shortens the real-world window to about 24-36 hours for moderate drinking.

I know that's the internet advice, but here's the truth: water doesn't speed up how fast your liver processes ETG. What it does do is dilute your sample — which often gets flagged as 'dilute' at the lab. Then you get called back for another test, usually with more scrutiny. Some programs automatically count dilute samples as failures. The only thing that actually clears ETG is time.

Yes, one drink can be detected, but not for long. With a strict 100ng/mL test, a single beer might show for 12-20 hours. With the standard 500ng/mL cutoff, one drink is usually undetectable within 6-10 hours. So if you had one beer at dinner and your test is the next morning? You're probably fine for standard tests, but cutting it close for strict ones.

Breathalyzers measure if you're drunk right now — they check for alcohol in your breath and only work for about 12-24 hours after drinking. ETG tests are looking for evidence of past drinking, not current impairment. The test detects a metabolite your body made while processing alcohol, which sticks around much longer. That's why ETG is popular for probation and treatment programs — they want to know if you drank at all this week, not just if you're drunk today.

This one's actually real. Hand sanitizers, certain mouthwashes, some medications, even cooking wine or vanilla extract — they can all introduce alcohol into your system. Usually this produces low readings under 500ng/mL, which is why most programs use 500ng as the cutoff (it filters out 'incidental exposure'). But if you're on strict 100ng monitoring, you should avoid all alcohol-containing products. That includes some cold medicines and hand sanitizers. Check labels.

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.

That's the classic exponential decay pattern. EtG levels drop rapidly at first (when levels are high), then slow down as you approach the cutoffs. Think of it like a ball rolling down a hill — it starts fast and gradually slows. The chart is capped at 1,500 ng/mL to focus on the range that matters most: where you'll cross the test thresholds.

Most workplace drug tests use 500 ng/mL — that's the 'standard' cutoff shown in gray. Probation, court-ordered testing, and zero-tolerance programs often use 100 ng/mL — that's the 'strict' cutoff shown in red. If you're unsure, assume the stricter one. It's better to wait longer than to fail.

Smart thinking. This chart shows averages based on medical research, but your body might be faster or slower. Factors like liver health, body weight, hydration, and genetics all play a role. Our recommendation: add 20-30% buffer time to whatever the chart shows. If it says 24 hours, wait 30. If it says 48 hours, wait 60.

Yes! The faded lines in the background show 2, 4, 8, and 12 drink scenarios. Your current selection is the bold line. This helps you see how drinking more dramatically extends your detection window — 4 drinks doesn't just double the time from 2 drinks, it adds many more hours.

The 3-hour half-life is a conservative average from medical studies. Some research shows 2-3 hours, others up to 4 hours for certain people. We use 3 hours because it's middle-ground and matches what most labs assume. Individual variation can be significant — that's why we always recommend buffer time.

Many people believe that drinking gallons of water will 'flush' EtG out of their system faster. This is a myth. Water consumption does not speed up your body's metabolic breakdown of EtG. It only dilutes your urine. While this might temporarily lower the concentration of EtG (ng/mL) in a single sample, it comes with a major risk. Modern labs routinely check for creatinine levels and specific gravity. If your sample is too diluted (watery), it will be flagged as 'dilute' or 'invalid.' In many court or probation settings, a dilute result is considered a failed test or a violation. The only reliable way to clear EtG is to give your body enough time to metabolize it naturally.

The term '80-hour test' is largely a marketing slogan that has caused a lot of unnecessary panic. While it is technically possible for EtG to be detected up to 80 hours (or roughly 3.5 days) after drinking, this typically only applies to extreme cases of chronic, heavy binge drinking. For most people who have had a moderate amount to drink, the detection window is significantly shorter — often between 24 and 48 hours. As you can see on the chart, clearing the standard 500ng cutoff usually happens well before the 3-day mark. However, because biological outliers exist, the 80-hour window is used as a maximum safety warning, not a guaranteed detection period for every single drink.

This calculator uses a standard 3-hour half-life, which is the accepted medical average. However, you are a unique individual, not a statistic. Several biological factors can shift your personal timeline: Liver Health — A healthy liver processes alcohol significantly faster than a damaged or fatty liver. Metabolism — People with naturally faster metabolic rates will clear EtG quicker. Body Composition — Your weight and body fat percentage affect your initial peak levels. Frequency of Drinking — Chronic daily drinkers may process alcohol differently than occasional social drinkers. Age — Metabolism generally slows down as we get older. Because of these personal variables, we always strongly recommend adding a safety buffer of extra time to whatever the chart predicts.