BAC Calculator · Practical guide
How Many Drinks Does It Take to Reach 0.08?
The legal limit arrives faster than most people think — especially at lower body weights.
At a glance
The Short Answer
Within about an hour, reaching the 0.08% legal limit takes roughly 4 standard drinks for a 180-pound man and only 2 to 3 for a 150-pound woman. Spread the same drinks over several hours and the number rises by about one drink every 1.5-2 hours, because your body burns off about 0.015% BAC per hour.
Interactive tool
BAC Calculator
Enter your own values, then compare the result with the examples below.
One standard drink contains approximately 14 grams of pure alcohol.
Alcohol Metabolism Estimate
Drinks to Reach 0.08% in One Hour
| Person | BAC per Drink (1st Hour) | Drinks to Reach 0.08% |
|---|---|---|
| 120 lb woman | ~0.047% | About 2 |
| 150 lb woman | ~0.037% | Between 2 and 3 |
| 180 lb man | ~0.025% | About 4 |
| 220 lb man | ~0.021% | Between 4 and 5 |
The last column accounts for one hour of metabolism (−0.015%). A standard drink is 14 grams of alcohol: a 12-oz beer at 5%, a 5-oz glass of wine, or a 1.5-oz shot.
Why Counting Drinks Is Not Enough
The table assumes standard pours. Craft beers at 8-9%, generous wine pours, and mixed drinks with two shots can each count as two standard drinks — doubling your real intake without changing your count. Food slows absorption but does not lower the eventual peak by much, and individual metabolism varies enough that any estimate can miss in either direction.
The Only Reliable Rule
If you plan to drive, the safe number of drinks is zero. Estimates like these describe averages, not you specifically, and impairment measurably begins below 0.08% — the calculator above flags estimates of 0.05% and up as approaching the limit. A rideshare costs far less than a DUI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 0.08% the limit everywhere in the US?
For drivers 21 and over, yes, in all 50 states. Utah enforces 0.05%. Commercial drivers are limited to 0.04%, and drivers under 21 face zero-tolerance laws in most states.
Can I be under 0.08% and still get a DUI?
Yes. Every state allows a DUI charge based on observed impairment regardless of BAC, and many have lower thresholds for specific driver categories.
How accurate are drink-count estimates?
They are population averages from the Widmark formula. Body composition, food, medications, and metabolism can shift your real BAC meaningfully in either direction.
Does one drink per hour keep me under the limit?
Roughly, for average-size adults: each hour burns about one standard drink's worth of alcohol. But smaller individuals accumulate faster than they burn, so it is a guideline, not a guarantee.