ETG Elimination Calculator
Track how ETG can decline over time. Get model-based estimates for when alcohol metabolites may fall below common cutoff levels.
Calculate Your ETG Level
Enter your drinking details for an instant estimate
Estimated ETG Level
until the model is below this line
Common workplace line
until the model is below this line
Common probation / court line
Estimates only. Individual metabolism varies significantly. This is not medical or legal advice.
What this number means
The tool opens on 3 standard drinks and 12 hours. That run is about 938 ng/mL. In this model that sits above both the 500 and the 100 ng/mL lines.
- 500 ng/mL is the line many workplace programs use.
- 100 ng/mL is the stricter probation / court line.
- A number between them can sit under 500 and still sit over 100.
When this calculator does not apply
- This is a model estimate, not a lab printout. It cannot say what a program will do with a real sample.
- The 100 and 500 lines here are common cutoffs, not your paperwork. If the form lists another number, that number wins.
- The hours under each cutoff are when this formula drops below that line. They are not a time to go get tested.
Same numbers as the default run: 3 drinks, 12 hours
- 3 standard drinks. Peak: 3 × 5,000 = 15,000 ng/mL
- 12 hours later is 4 half-lives. 15,000 × 0.5⁴ = 938 ng/mL
- 938 sits above 500 and above 100
- The model falls below 500 about 3 hours after this point, and below 100 about 10 hours after this point
ETG(t) = Peak × 0.5^(t / half-life)Peak is 5,000 ng/mL per standard drink. Half-life is 3 hours. Those are this site's model assumptions, taken from published ETG half-life work and common SAMHSA cutoff numbers, not your lab's method.
Where the estimate sits
Estimated ETG level is below even the strictest 100 ng/mL cutoff (used in probation and court-ordered programs)
Could fall below a 500 ng/mL cutoff while still exceeding stricter monitoring cutoffs
Estimated ETG level is above the 500 ng/mL cutoff used by many workplace and pre-employment drug screenings
Estimated ETG level is well above common cutoffs, often associated with heavier or more recent drinking
Research Sources
- Wurst FM et al. (2006) 'Ethyl glucuronide — update' Forensic Science International
- SAMHSA Guidelines for ETG/ETS Testing
- Helander A, Beck O (2005) 'Ethyl sulfate: a metabolite of ethanol' Clinical Chemistry
Other runs with the same formula
These use the same 5,000 ng/mL peak and 3-hour half-life as the tool. Change the sliders to the same drinks and hours if you want to see the number appear above.
Sunday BBQ, Monday 8am
4 standard beers, last drink around 6pm Sunday.
Above 500 ng/mL in the model
Friday dinner, Monday morning
2 glasses of wine Friday night, nothing else all weekend.
Below both common cutoffs in the model
Saturday wedding, Sunday night
About 8 standard drinks, stopped around midnight.
Below 500 ng/mL, still above 100
Thursday drinks, Monday 9am
3 standard drinks Thursday evening.
Below both common cutoffs in the model
These numbers come from the formula on this page. Real samples move with metabolism, cutoff, and lab method.
What Affects ETG Elimination Speed?
ETG elimination isn't one-size-fits-all. Your body's ability to reduce alcohol metabolite levels depends on several factors. Understanding these can help you interpret your results more accurately.
Factors That May Speed Up Elimination
- Healthy liver function — Your liver processes most ETG — liver health can affect the estimated decline
- Adequate hydration — Water helps flush metabolites through your kidneys
- Higher body mass — Larger bodies distribute and process alcohol across more tissue
- Younger age — Metabolism typically slows with age
Factors That May Slow Down Elimination
- Liver disease or damage — Compromised liver function can significantly slow the estimated decline
- Dehydration — Less fluid means slower kidney filtration
- Chronic heavy drinking — Regular heavy use can impair metabolic pathways
- Certain medications — Some drugs compete for the same liver enzymes
Why "80 Hours" Is Misleading
Many sources claim ETG is detectable for 80 hours. This is a worst-case maximum, not a typical result. In reality, detection windows vary dramatically based on consumption:
The 80-hour figure comes from studies of heavy drinkers. For many light to moderate consumption scenarios, estimates fall below common cutoffs sooner.
ETG Elimination vs Other Alcohol Tests
Different tests detect alcohol for different time periods. ETG specifically tracks a metabolite, not alcohol itself.
| Test Type | Detection Window | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Breathalyzer | Up to 24 hours | Alcohol in breath |
| Blood test | 12-24 hours | Blood alcohol concentration |
| ETG urine test This tool | 24-80 hours | ETG metabolite levels |
| Hair follicle | Up to 90 days | ETG in hair |
ETG tests are popular because they provide a longer detection window than breath or blood tests, while being less invasive than hair testing.
How to Use
- 1
Enter the number of standard drinks you consumed (1 beer = 1 glass of wine = 1 shot).
- 2
Set how many hours have passed since your last drink.
- 3
View your estimated current ETG level and cutoff comparison.
- 4
Check the estimated time to reach both 500ng and 100ng cutoffs.
- 5
Remember: these are estimates. Consult the relevant testing program, lab, healthcare provider, or legal professional for case-specific guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
ETG elimination refers to your body's process of reducing Ethyl Glucuronide (ETG) levels. ETG is a direct metabolite produced by your liver when processing alcohol. Unlike alcohol itself, which drops in hours, ETG can remain detectable for days. The model follows half-life decay patterns, but real people vary.
ETG can remain detectable for 24-80 hours depending on how much you drank, the cutoff used, and individual metabolism. Light drinking (1-2 drinks) is often below common cutoffs within 24-48 hours. Moderate drinking (3-5 drinks) may remain detectable for 48-72 hours. Heavy drinking (6+ drinks) may remain detectable for 72-80+ hours. These are estimates.
There's no proven way to significantly speed up ETG elimination. Your liver processes ETG at a relatively fixed rate (half-life of 2-3 hours). Staying hydrated supports normal kidney function, but won't dramatically accelerate metabolism. Products claiming to 'flush' or 'detox' ETG are not scientifically validated.
Alcohol (ethanol) is eliminated from your body within hours — typically at a rate of about one standard drink per hour. ETG is a byproduct created during alcohol metabolism and remains detectable much longer. You can feel completely sober while still having detectable ETG levels. That's why ETG tests can detect drinking that occurred days ago.
The cutoff doesn't change how fast ETG leaves your body — it changes the concentration threshold used for interpretation. A 500ng/mL cutoff is less sensitive than a 100ng/mL cutoff, so the same ETG level can be interpreted differently. Same elimination rate, different detection windows.
Related Tools
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ETG Half-Life Calculator
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ETG Detection Time Chart
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ETG Detection Times Explained
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ETG Cutoff Levels
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ETG Calculation Formula
The science behind the math
Standard Drink Guide
Know exactly what counts as one drink
This calculator provides estimates based on average pharmacokinetic data. Individual elimination rates vary significantly based on metabolism, liver health, hydration, and other factors. Results should not be used as the sole basis for decisions about alcohol testing. Consult a healthcare provider, legal professional, lab, or testing program for case-specific guidance.