What Is BAC?

BAC, short for blood alcohol content, refers to the percent of alcohol in a person’s blood stream. A BAC of .10 percent means that an individual’s blood supply contains one part alcohol for every 1,000 parts blood.

In California, a person is legally intoxicated if he/she has a BAC of .08 percent or above. See our page on how to beat a DUI to avoid DUI penalties.

What Are The Factors That Determine BAC?

• Number of standard drinks (see below)
• Amount of time in which drinks are consumed
• Body weight
• Gender
• Food (to a much lesser extent)

One standard drink = 1/2 ounce of ethyl alcohol

• One 12 oz. regular beer (4.5 percent alcohol) = .54 oz.
• One 7 oz. malt liquor (7 percent alcohol) = .49 oz.
• One 4.5 oz. glass of wine (12 percent alcohol) = .54 oz.
• One jigger (1.25 oz.) of 80-proof liquor (40 percent alcohol) = .50 oz.
• One-third jigger (.5 oz.) of Everclear (95 percent alcohol) = .48 oz.

More than one standard drink > 1/2 ounce

• One 16 oz. cup of beer = .72 oz. = 1.4 drinks
• One 40 oz. beer = 1.8 oz. = 3.6 drinks
• One 22 oz. malt liquor = 1.5 oz. = 3 drinks
• One 12 oz. glass of wine = 1.4 oz. = 2.9 drinks
• One 12 oz. margarita = 2-4 drinks, depending on ingredients
• One 12 oz. cup of trashcan punch = 4-10 drinks, depending on ingredients

A BAC calculator tool can estimate your blood alcohol content after drinking.

If you are arrested for DUI, My Rights Law has your back.