HOW MANY DRINKS DOES IT TAKE TO REACH 0.08%?

Conventional wisdom says that it should take an "average person" about 3-4 drinks to reach 0.08% BAC... but is that true for you personally? Are you sure?

Factors That Affect BAC

Many people wonder "how many drinks does it take to get legally drunk?", but with so many factors affecting blood alcohol content (BAC), and because alcohol affects everyone differently, the answer will be different for each person. Luckily, a breathalyzer from BACtrack can give you an accurate estimate of your BAC without having to know your age, height, weight, gender, what kind of alcohol you drank etc.

  • Age

  • Body Weight

  • Gender

  • Metabolism

  • Fat / Muscle Content

  • Medications

  • Type & Strength of Drink

  • Size of Drink

  • How Fast You Drink

  • Food
BACtrack Mobile Smartphone Breathalyzer

Stop Guessing & Start Knowing

Unlike drink charts and online calculators, BACtrack breathalyzers don’t use generalizations or rules of thumb that may not reflect you personally.

Instead, they measure the amount of alcohol actually in your breath and then estimate your BAC, with pro-grade accuracy. No other method is quite so fast, convenient and reliable.

SHOP BREATHALYZERS

WATCH: How Does the Alcohol % in Beer Affect Your BAC?

We asked Kevin to drink several light American lagers (4.2% ABV), while we asked Pat to drank several strong IPAs (6.9% ABV)... you know, for science. We then tracked their BAC for the next four hours. Watch to see the results!
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Customer Reviews

[pr-total-reviews]

  • Why wouldn't you want to know?

    Owning a BACtrack doesn't make you an alcoholic, it makes you a responsible drinker. This should be a no-brainer for who anyone who drinks.

    - Lauren from Los Angeles, CA

  • Easy to use & carry around

    This tiny breathalyzer is perfect for on the go. It's easy to use and read. I love having it around with friends after work so everyone can drive safely.

    - Katrina from Denver, CO

  • An Eye Opener

    I recently went to a dinner with a friend who got a DWI on the way home. I was very surprised as we only had 1-2 drinks each and shared some wine. I started using a BACtrack and was astonished that my BAC was much higher than I was estimating. The level of drinks or feeling tipsy that I would normally have not driven was actually much higher than 0.08. This device is amazing in that it now helps me clearly understand how many drinks over what period of time I need to be safe.

    - Charlie from Cranford, NJ

  • Super convenient and easy to use

    I love having this for mimosas at brunch and dinner and drinks. It helps me keep track of how I'm feeling and whether or not to cut myself off.

    - Brunch Queen from Boise, ID

  • Peace of mind

    It's ideal for anyone who is concerned about doing the right thing (for themselves, other road users and their vehicles). Not only does it show when you need to call a driver or get a cab, it also helps you see how and when you react to a drink or two.

    - Gaz from Wellington, New Zealand

  • Money well spent!

    Wouldn't go without it after having had one for years now. Even if you only occasionally drink, you should have this. Your results might surprise you!

    - Johnny from Lexington, KY

  • Great for dinner parties

    Everyone who's been drinking uses it before they're allowed to leave my house. A literal life saver.

    - Alice from Tacoma, WA

  • So much peace of mind

    It has been so educational to own a BACtrack and has helped me to ensure that I am never in a situation where I might endanger myself or others. It has also helped me to better determine the kind of limits I want for myself even when I'm not driving.

    - Sam from San Francisco, CA

  • Breathalyzers for all of my family

    These are easy to use and take with you anywhere. Very accurate, and for the price I do not know why anyone would not have one to use any time after drinking. I have bought these for each family member and for close friends.

    - Mark from Santa Maria, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate are BACtrack devices?

BACtrack uses carefully-engineered technology to deliver reliable, consistent BAC results, with unparalleled accuracy.

Several independent agencies have tested commercially available breathalyzers against an evidential police breathalyzer device and found BACtrack is the most accurate. To learn more, click here.

How often do they need to be calibrated?

Our general recommendation is that you get your BACtrack calibrated every 12 months or so, but it really depends on how your BACtrack is performing. With proper care and usage, we've seen that our devices can go for 1000's of tests before needing calibration.

All BACtrack products are calibrated in our San Francisco offices by professionally trained technicians. To learn more, click here.

Which BACtrack is right for me?

We have a wide range of breathalyzers for every alcohol testing need. You can begin by using the filters on our Store Page to better narrow down your choice. If you're still having trouble, please give us a call at 415-693-9756 and we'd be happy to help you find the right BACtrack for you.

WATCH: Are Personal Breathalyzers Accurate?

FOX 2 Detroit and Allen Park police teamed up for a study including five people drinking alcohol to test a BACtrack C6 keychain breathalyzer against the police-issued machines to see just how accurate personal breathalyzers actually are. SPOILER ALERT: The C6 matched the police breathalyzer every step of the way.

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    Can You Trick a Breathalyzer?

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  • How Many Drinks Does it Take to Reach 0.08 %BAC?

    How Many Drinks Does it Take to Reach 0.08 %BAC?

    How Many Drinks Does it Take to Reach 0.08 %BAC? In an era of heightened awareness about the perils of drinking and driving, the decimal 0.08 requires no explanation. Smartphone...

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  • Factors that Affect BAC

    Factors that Affect BAC

    Factors that Affect BAC Blood alcohol content (BAC) is a measure of the amount of alcohol that is present the blood, based on the volume of alcohol consumed over a given...

    Factors that Affect BAC

    Factors that Affect BAC Blood alcohol content (BAC) is a measure of the amount of alcohol that is present the blood, based on the volume of alcohol consumed over a given...

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