How to Calculate Your EtG Level
Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) is a direct metabolite of ethanol (alcohol). Unlike standard breathalyzers that only detect active alcohol in your system for a few hours, EtG tests can detect traces of alcohol metabolism in your urine for days after drinking. This calculator estimates your current EtG level based on the standard exponential decay (half-life) formula.
- Peak EtG = Approx. 50,000 ng/mL per standard drink.
- Hours = The time elapsed since you stopped drinking.
- Half-Life = EtG typically has a half-life of 2.5 to 3 hours (this calculator uses a conservative 3-hour half-life).
Disclaimer: This calculator provides an estimation. Real biological clearance depends on your liver function, hydration levels, genetics, kidney function, and exact alcohol proof. This tool is for educational purposes only.
Urine EtG tests usually utilize specific cutoffs to determine a "pass" or "fail". A cutoff of 500 ng/mL is standard to avoid false positives from incidental exposure (like mouthwash or hand sanitizer), while a 100 ng/mL cutoff is used in zero-tolerance environments to detect even minor alcohol consumption.
| Cutoff Threshold | Typical Use Case | Detection Window Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 ng/mL | Routine workplace testing | 12 – 24 hours |
| 500 ng/mL | Standard court / probation testing | 24 – 48 hours |
| 100 ng/mL | Zero-tolerance programs | Up to 72+ hours |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the "80-Hour EtG Test" myth true?
EtG tests are frequently marketed as an "80-hour test," which leads to a lot of confusion. In reality, EtG is only detectable for 80 hours if a person consumes a massive amount of alcohol and has poor liver/kidney clearance. For moderate drinking (1-3 drinks), EtG typically falls below the 500 ng/mL threshold within 24 to 36 hours.
Does drinking water flush out EtG?
EtG is water-soluble and is excreted entirely through your urine. Staying highly hydrated can dilute the concentration of EtG in a given urine sample, potentially lowering the ng/mL reading. However, over-hydration can cause your urine sample to be flagged as "diluted" by the lab, which is often treated as an automatic failure in court-mandated testing.
What counts as a "Standard Drink"?
In the United States, a standard drink contains approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol. This is generally equivalent to 12 ounces of regular beer (5% ABV), 5 ounces of table wine (12% ABV), or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (40% ABV).