Cocktail & Bar

Blood Alcohol Calculator (BAC) — Italian Legal Limits

Estimate blood alcohol content using the Widmark formula. Enter drinks, weight and time elapsed. Shows Italian legal thresholds and estimated time to reach zero. Educational estimate only — never drive after drinking.

Updated: May 2026

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What did you drink?

Add each drink consumed. For drinks not listed, adjust volume and strength.

Drink

Volume (ml)

Strength (%)

Pure alcohol

15.78 g

Your profile

Body weight (kg)

Hours elapsed (h)

Biological sexStomach

Driver category

4867 persone trovano utile questo calcolatore

Blood Alcohol Content — Widmark Formula

The Widmark formula (Erik Widmark, 1932) is the basis for BAC estimation worldwide. It is used in Italian forensic toxicology and by the Polizia Stradale for theoretical BAC verification.

BAC (g/L) = [A / (W × r)] − (β × t)

Where:
  A = total alcohol consumed (grams)
      = volume (ml) × ABV% × 0.789 (density of ethanol)
  W = body weight (kg)
  r = Widmark distribution factor
      = 0.68 (men) / 0.55 (women)
  β = elimination rate ≈ 0.15 g/L/hour
  t = hours elapsed since first drink

Example — man, 80 kg, 2 glasses of wine (250ml, 13%):
  Alcohol: 2 × 250 × 0.13 × 0.789 = 51.1 g
  Peak BAC: 51.1 / (80 × 0.68) = 0.94 g/L
  After 2 hours: 0.94 − (0.15 × 2) = 0.64 g/L → OVER Italian limit

Italian Legal BAC Limits (Art. 186 Codice della Strada)

Driver category	BAC limit	Penalty (overview)
New drivers (< 3 years licence)	0.0 g/L	Fine €155–624 + suspension
Under 21	0.0 g/L	Fine €155–624 + suspension
Professional drivers (bus, taxi, truck)	0.0 g/L	Fine + suspension + criminal risk
All other drivers — threshold	0.5 g/L	Fine €543–2,170 + suspension 3–6 months
All drivers — 0.8–1.5 g/L	Criminal offence	Fine €800–3,200 + suspension 6 months–1 year
All drivers — above 1.5 g/L	Criminal offence	Fine €1,500–6,000 + arrest + suspension 1–2 years

Disclaimer: This calculator provides a theoretical estimate only. Actual BAC can differ significantly from the Widmark formula due to individual metabolism, food intake, medications and other factors. Never use a BAC calculator to decide whether it is safe to drive. If you have consumed alcohol, do not drive.

Example: Aperol Spritz Evening at an Italian Bar

Female customer, 65 kg. Orders 2 Aperol Spritz over 2 hours at a Venice bar. Each Spritz: 60ml Aperol (11% ABV) + 90ml Prosecco (11% ABV) + soda.

Drink	Volume	ABV	Alcohol (g)
Aperol (×2)	120 ml	11%	10.4 g
Prosecco (×2)	180 ml	11%	15.6 g
Total alcohol			26.0 g

Peak BAC: 26.0 / (65 × 0.55) = 0.73 g/L — above Italian 0.5 g/L limit
After 2 hours elapsed: 0.73 − (0.15 × 2) = 0.43 g/L — just under limit
Time to reach 0.0 g/L from peak: 0.73 / 0.15 ≈ 4.9 hours
Advice: wait at least 3 hours before driving, or arrange alternative transport

Risposte rapide

Direct answers

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Italy?: Italy has a zero-tolerance policy for new drivers (licence held < 3 years), drivers under 21, and professional drivers (bus, taxi, truck): 0.0 g/L. For other drivers the limit is 0.5 g/L (Art. 186 Codice della Strada). Penalties escalate sharply: 0.5–0.8 g/L is a fine + licence suspension; above 0.8 g/L is a criminal offence.
How is BAC calculated? What is the Widmark formula?: BAC (g/L) = [Alcohol consumed (g) / (Body weight (kg) × r)] − (Elimination rate × Hours elapsed). Where r = 0.68 for men, 0.55 for women (Widmark distribution factor). Elimination rate ≈ 0.15 g/L/hour. This is a theoretical estimate — actual BAC varies significantly with individual metabolism.
How much alcohol is in a standard Italian drink?: Italy uses a standard drink (Unità Alcolica, UA) of 12 g of pure ethanol: a 200ml glass of wine at 12% ABV = ~19g alcohol, a 33cl beer at 5% ABV = ~13g, a 40ml shot of spirits at 40% ABV = ~13g, an Aperol Spritz (60ml Aperol + 90ml Prosecco) ≈ 20g. The calculator converts ABV + volume to grams of alcohol automatically.
How long does it take to eliminate alcohol?: The liver eliminates alcohol at approximately 0.10–0.15 g/L per hour — roughly one standard drink per hour for an average adult. The rate does not increase with coffee, cold showers, food or exercise. Only time eliminates alcohol. A BAC of 0.8 g/L requires approximately 5–6 hours to reach zero.
Why is this calculator important for bar staff?: Italian law (D.Lgs. 159/2016) places a duty of care on bar and restaurant owners for responsible alcohol service. Understanding BAC helps staff recognise visibly intoxicated customers, avoid over-serving, and reduce liability. The CCNL Pubblici Esercizi also requires training on responsible alcohol service for HoReCa workers.
Is this calculator accurate?: No BAC calculator is accurate. The Widmark formula gives a theoretical estimate that can differ from actual BAC by ±20–30%. Factors like food intake, medications, fatigue, health conditions and individual metabolism all affect alcohol absorption. This tool is for educational purposes only. Never drive after consuming alcohol.

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Italy?

Italy has a zero-tolerance policy for new drivers (licence held < 3 years), drivers under 21, and professional drivers (bus, taxi, truck): 0.0 g/L. For other drivers the limit is 0.5 g/L (Art. 186 Codice della Strada). Penalties escalate sharply: 0.5–0.8 g/L is a fine + licence suspension; above 0.8 g/L is a criminal offence.

How is BAC calculated? What is the Widmark formula?

BAC (g/L) = [Alcohol consumed (g) / (Body weight (kg) × r)] − (Elimination rate × Hours elapsed). Where r = 0.68 for men, 0.55 for women (Widmark distribution factor). Elimination rate ≈ 0.15 g/L/hour. This is a theoretical estimate — actual BAC varies significantly with individual metabolism.

How much alcohol is in a standard Italian drink?

Italy uses a standard drink (Unità Alcolica, UA) of 12 g of pure ethanol: a 200ml glass of wine at 12% ABV = ~19g alcohol, a 33cl beer at 5% ABV = ~13g, a 40ml shot of spirits at 40% ABV = ~13g, an Aperol Spritz (60ml Aperol + 90ml Prosecco) ≈ 20g. The calculator converts ABV + volume to grams of alcohol automatically.

How long does it take to eliminate alcohol?

The liver eliminates alcohol at approximately 0.10–0.15 g/L per hour — roughly one standard drink per hour for an average adult. The rate does not increase with coffee, cold showers, food or exercise. Only time eliminates alcohol. A BAC of 0.8 g/L requires approximately 5–6 hours to reach zero.

Why is this calculator important for bar staff?

Italian law (D.Lgs. 159/2016) places a duty of care on bar and restaurant owners for responsible alcohol service. Understanding BAC helps staff recognise visibly intoxicated customers, avoid over-serving, and reduce liability. The CCNL Pubblici Esercizi also requires training on responsible alcohol service for HoReCa workers.

Is this calculator accurate?

No BAC calculator is accurate. The Widmark formula gives a theoretical estimate that can differ from actual BAC by ±20–30%. Factors like food intake, medications, fatigue, health conditions and individual metabolism all affect alcohol absorption. This tool is for educational purposes only. Never drive after consuming alcohol.

Italian version: Calcola tasso alcolemico

What did you drink?

Add each drink consumed. For drinks not listed, adjust volume and strength.

Drink

Volume (ml)

Strength (%)

Pure alcohol

15.78 g

Your profile

Body weight (kg)

Hours elapsed (h)

Biological sexStomach

Driver category

4867 persone trovano utile questo calcolatore

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Blood Alcohol Content — Widmark Formula

The Widmark formula (Erik Widmark, 1932) is the basis for BAC estimation worldwide. It is used in Italian forensic toxicology and by the Polizia Stradale for theoretical BAC verification.

BAC (g/L) = [A / (W × r)] − (β × t) Where: A = total alcohol consumed (grams) = volume (ml) × ABV% × 0.789 (density of ethanol) W = body weight (kg) r = Widmark distribution factor = 0.68 (men) / 0.55 (women) β = elimination rate ≈ 0.15 g/L/hour t = hours elapsed since first drink Example — man, 80 kg, 2 glasses of wine (250ml, 13%): Alcohol: 2 × 250 × 0.13 × 0.789 = 51.1 g Peak BAC: 51.1 / (80 × 0.68) = 0.94 g/L After 2 hours: 0.94 − (0.15 × 2) = 0.64 g/L → OVER Italian limit

Italian Legal BAC Limits (Art. 186 Codice della Strada)

Driver category

BAC limit

Penalty (overview)

New drivers (< 3 years licence)

0.0 g/L

Fine €155–624 + suspension

Under 21

0.0 g/L

Fine €155–624 + suspension

Professional drivers (bus, taxi, truck)

0.0 g/L

Fine + suspension + criminal risk

All other drivers — threshold

0.5 g/L

Fine €543–2,170 + suspension 3–6 months

All drivers — 0.8–1.5 g/L

Criminal offence

Fine €800–3,200 + suspension 6 months–1 year

All drivers — above 1.5 g/L

Criminal offence

Fine €1,500–6,000 + arrest + suspension 1–2 years

Example: Aperol Spritz Evening at an Italian Bar

Female customer, 65 kg. Orders 2 Aperol Spritz over 2 hours at a Venice bar. Each Spritz: 60ml Aperol (11% ABV) + 90ml Prosecco (11% ABV) + soda.

Drink	Volume	ABV	Alcohol (g)
Aperol (×2)	120 ml	11%	10.4 g
Prosecco (×2)	180 ml	11%	15.6 g
Total alcohol			26.0 g

Peak BAC: 26.0 / (65 × 0.55) = 0.73 g/L — above Italian 0.5 g/L limit
After 2 hours elapsed: 0.73 − (0.15 × 2) = 0.43 g/L — just under limit
Time to reach 0.0 g/L from peak: 0.73 / 0.15 ≈ 4.9 hours
Advice: wait at least 3 hours before driving, or arrange alternative transport