The Quick Answer
Most people clear ETG in 24-48 hours after moderate drinking. The often-quoted "80 hours" is the extreme upper limit seen in heavy drinkers under lab conditions—not your typical scenario.
Here's a quick estimate based on your situation:
Quick ETG Check
Instant estimation (No data saved)
High Probability of Detection
Estimated 10 more hours until low risk (<100ng/mL).
*This is an estimation only. Individual results vary. Not legal or medical advice.
The calculator above gives you a starting point. But detection time varies wildly based on several factors we'll cover below.
Why "80 Hours" is Misleading
You've probably seen websites claiming ETG stays detectable for "up to 80 hours." This number comes from clinical studies using:
- Heavy drinking (8+ drinks)
- Very sensitive tests (100 ng/mL cutoff)
- Controlled lab conditions
For the average person who had a few drinks? Reality looks different:
| Drinking Level | Typical Detection Window |
|---|---|
| 1-2 drinks | 12-24 hours |
| 3-4 drinks | 24-36 hours |
| 5-6 drinks | 36-48 hours |
| 7+ drinks | 48-72+ hours |
These are estimates for standard 500 ng/mL tests. More sensitive tests (100 ng/mL) extend these windows significantly.
What Actually Affects Your Detection Time
Amount of Alcohol
This is the biggest factor. More alcohol = more ETG produced = longer detection time.
One standard drink produces roughly 2,000-10,000 ng/mL of peak ETG. Your body eliminates about half of this every 2-3 hours.
The math is simple: double the drinks, roughly double the clearance time.
Your Body Weight and Metabolism
Larger bodies have more fluid volume, which dilutes ETG concentrations. But metabolism matters more—some people process alcohol significantly faster than others.
Unfortunately, you can't change your metabolism. What you can control is hydration.
Hydration Level
Well-hydrated? Your urine is more dilute, potentially lowering ETG concentration below the detection threshold faster.
Dehydrated? Concentrated urine means higher ETG readings for longer.
Note: "Flushing" with excessive water doesn't magically eliminate ETG. It just dilutes your urine—and many tests flag overly dilute samples as suspicious.
Test Sensitivity (Cutoff Levels)
This is crucial and often overlooked:
| Cutoff Level | Common Use | Detection Window |
|---|---|---|
| 500 ng/mL | Standard employment, some probation | Shorter window |
| 100 ng/mL | Probation, court-ordered, zero-tolerance | Much longer window |
| 50 ng/mL | Research, high-sensitivity monitoring | Longest window |
A 100 ng/mL test might detect drinking from 3 days ago that a 500 ng/mL test would miss completely.
Always know your test's cutoff level. Ask directly if you're unsure.
Detection Time by Scenario
Let's get specific with real-world examples:
Scenario 1: Weekend Social Drinking
Situation: 4 beers on Saturday night, test Monday morning (36 hours later)
- 500 ng/mL test: Likely negative (moderate risk)
- 100 ng/mL test: Likely positive (high risk)
Scenario 2: One Glass of Wine
Situation: Single glass of wine with dinner, test next morning (12 hours later)
- 500 ng/mL test: Very likely negative
- 100 ng/mL test: Possibly positive
Scenario 3: Heavy Night Out
Situation: 8+ drinks Friday night, test Monday morning (60+ hours later)
- 500 ng/mL test: Uncertain (depends on individual factors)
- 100 ng/mL test: Likely positive
Common Cutoff Levels Explained
500 ng/mL — Standard Employment
Most workplace drug tests use this threshold. It's designed to catch recent heavy drinking while avoiding false positives from incidental exposure (hand sanitizer, mouthwash, etc.).
Typical clearance: 24-48 hours for moderate drinking.
100 ng/mL — Probation and Court-Ordered
Courts and probation officers often require this stricter standard. It detects lighter drinking and extends the detection window significantly.
Typical clearance: 48-72+ hours depending on consumption.
50 ng/mL — Zero-Tolerance Programs
The most sensitive commercial cutoff. Used in programs requiring complete abstinence. Even trace exposure might trigger a positive.
Typical clearance: Can exceed 72 hours for moderate drinking.
What About False Positives?
ETG tests can detect alcohol exposure from non-beverage sources:
- Hand sanitizers (alcohol-based)
- Certain mouthwashes
- Some medications
- Food cooked with alcohol
- Cleaning products
However, false positive levels from these sources are typically low. A positive ETG result is usually from actual drinking, especially at higher concentrations.
If you're concerned about incidental exposure, document what products you use and inform the testing administrator.
Key Takeaways
- 24-48 hours is realistic for most people after moderate drinking—ignore the '80 hour' hype
- Know your test's cutoff level (500 ng/mL vs 100 ng/mL makes a huge difference)
- Hydration helps marginally, but won't eliminate ETG faster
- Heavy drinking (7+ drinks) can extend detection to 72+ hours
- When in doubt, wait longer—there's no shortcut
Frequently Asked Questions
ETG typically clears in 24-48 hours for moderate drinking (3-4 drinks). Heavy drinking can extend this to 72+ hours. The '80 hour' figure represents extreme cases under lab conditions, not typical scenarios.
For moderate drinking (under 5 drinks) with a standard 500 ng/mL test, 48 hours is usually sufficient. For stricter 100 ng/mL tests or heavy drinking, you may need 72+ hours.
Moderate hydration can help by diluting urine concentration, but excessive water intake may flag your sample as 'dilute' and require retesting. Water doesn't speed up ETG elimination—it just dilutes the concentration.
Probation tests commonly use 100 ng/mL or even 50 ng/mL cutoffs, which are much stricter than standard employment tests (500 ng/mL). Always confirm your specific cutoff with your probation officer.
Theoretically possible but unlikely at standard cutoffs. Studies show hand sanitizer exposure typically produces ETG levels well below 500 ng/mL. However, with stricter 100 ng/mL cutoffs, heavy hand sanitizer use could potentially cause issues.
Related Resources
For more detailed information:
- ETG Urine Test Calculator — Full calculator with advanced parameters
- ETG Detection Time Chart — Visual timeline of ETG clearance
This information is for educational purposes only. Individual results vary significantly based on metabolism, health factors, and testing conditions. Never rely solely on a calculator for decisions affecting legal or employment matters.