EtG Urine Test Calculator: Estimate Cutoff Timing
Use this urine EtG calculator to estimate whether alcohol metabolites may still be above common 100 ng/mL or 500 ng/mL cutoffs. It is built for urine alcohol test timing, not breathalyzer or blood alcohol results.
Quick answer
Urine EtG tests look for ethyl glucuronide, a metabolite that can remain detectable after breath or blood alcohol is gone. The most important setting is the cutoff: 100 ng/mL is stricter than 500 ng/mL, so the same timeline can have different interpretations.
Editorial note
This educational page is maintained by EtGCalc and reviewed against published EtG research, SAMHSA guidance, and our calculator methodology. It does not provide medical or legal advice.
Enter Your Details
How to use this urine EtG calculator
Enter sex, weight, drink count, drink type, and hours since the last drink. Then compare the estimate with the cutoff that matches your urine test, home strip, lab order, or program policy.
When to Use the Urine EtG Calculator
You know the test is a urine EtG screen and want a cutoff-based estimate.
You need to compare a 100 ng/mL result scenario with a 500 ng/mL scenario.
You are trying to understand why breath alcohol can be zero while urine EtG may still be detectable.
You want educational context before reading an at-home strip or lab cutoff.
Do not use this page as legal, medical, employment, or probation advice. Official results depend on the lab method, specimen checks, cutoff, confirmation rules, and the policy that controls your test.
100 ng/mL vs 500 ng/mL Urine EtG Cutoffs
A urine EtG calculator only makes sense when the cutoff is clear. These two cutoffs are common reference points, but your actual test may use another threshold such as 300 ng/mL or 1,000 ng/mL.
| Cutoff | How to read it | Best context | Important meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ng/mL | Stricter / more sensitive | Low-level monitoring, stricter programs, longer tail interpretation | A sample can remain positive longer because the reporting threshold is lower. Low positives need cutoff and exposure context. |
| 500 ng/mL | Less sensitive / common screen | Reducing low-level ambiguity and focusing on stronger recent exposure signals | The same sample may be negative at 500 ng/mL while still positive at 100 ng/mL. |
Need the deeper cutoff explanation? Read the 100 ng/mL cutoff guide or compare scenarios in the EtG levels chart.
Urine EtG vs Breathalyzer vs Blood Alcohol
These tests answer different questions. A urine alcohol calculator should not be interpreted like a breathalyzer or a blood alcohol percentage calculator.
| Test type | What it measures | Typical timing | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine EtG test | Ethyl glucuronide, an alcohol metabolite | Often about 24-72 hours, longer in heavier scenarios | Recent alcohol exposure after breath or blood alcohol may be gone |
| Breathalyzer | Current breath alcohol / BAC estimate | Usually hours, not days | Current impairment or recent drinking context |
| Blood alcohol test | Ethanol in blood | Current or very recent alcohol presence | Clinical, legal, or forensic BAC measurement |
For breath alcohol timing, see how long alcohol stays on your breath.
How This Differs From the Main EtG Calculator
The main EtG Calculator is the broad tool for drink-to-level estimates. This page narrows the interpretation to urine alcohol testing, cutoff selection, and the difference between metabolite testing and current alcohol tests.
If your question is mainly how long EtG can remain detectable in urine, also read how long EtG stays in urine. If your question is which home strip or dip card to buy, start with the at-home EtG test guide.
Checking a urine strip at home?
Home EtG strips can provide personal context, but they are screening tools and do not replace official lab interpretation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a urine EtG calculator?
A urine EtG calculator estimates whether ethyl glucuronide may still be above a selected urine test cutoff at a future time. It uses drinking inputs, body size, timing, and common cutoff assumptions, but it cannot guarantee a lab result.
Is urine EtG the same as a breathalyzer?
No. A breathalyzer estimates current breath alcohol or BAC. A urine EtG test measures a metabolite that can remain detectable after breath alcohol has already returned to zero.
Which cutoff should I use: 100 ng/mL or 500 ng/mL?
Use the cutoff listed by the lab, program, test strip, or policy. A 100 ng/mL cutoff is stricter and may stay positive longer. A 500 ng/mL cutoff is less sensitive and may be negative sooner.
Can hydration change a urine EtG result?
Hydration can change urine concentration, so labs may also review creatinine or specific gravity. Hydration does not make the body metabolize alcohol or EtG faster.
Can this calculator tell me if I will pass a urine alcohol test?
No calculator can promise an official outcome. Use it as an educational estimate, then follow the testing program, lab, medical, or legal guidance that applies to your situation.
Related Reading
EtG Test Guide
Urine alcohol testing, cutoffs, and interpretation basics.
EtG After 24/48/72 Hours
Hour-by-hour context for common testing windows.
At-Home EtG Test Guide
Home strips, dip cards, cutoffs, and buying checks.
EtG Levels Chart
Compare estimated EtG levels by drinks, time, and cutoff.
100 ng/mL Cutoff Explained
Why stricter cutoffs can change interpretation.
How Long Does EtG Stay in Urine?
Detection windows by amount, cutoff, and timing.
Alcohol on Breath Guide
Breathalyzer timing and BAC context.
Medical & Legal Disclaimer
Not Medical Advice
EtGCalc does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Talk with a qualified healthcare provider about alcohol use, metabolism, testing concerns, or recovery.
Not Legal Advice
EtG testing can affect probation, custody, licensing, and employment decisions. Consult a licensed attorney or your testing program for legal questions.
If You Need Support
In the United States, SAMHSA's National Helpline is 1-800-662-4357. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Calculator output is an estimate, not a test prediction. Individual metabolism, hydration, kidney function, genetics, specimen handling, and lab cutoff policy can change real results. See our methodology and sources.
References
- 1SAMHSA. The Role of Biomarkers in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorders, 2012 Revision.
Used for biomarker context, cutoff interpretation, and incidental exposure cautions.
- 2Jatlow et al. Ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate assays in clinical trials, 2014.
Used for urinary EtG and EtS kinetics after alcohol exposure.
- 3McDonell et al. Using ethyl glucuronide in urine to detect alcohol use, 2015.
Used for EtG detection window context in clinical monitoring populations.
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Recheck your inputs and compare both cutoff scenarios. The calculation stays in your browser.
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