Not sure what an ETG test is or how it works? Learn how ETG alcohol testing detects drinking days later in our guide: What is an ETG alcohol test and how does it work?
Use this calculator to estimate a conservative risk window for ETG urine alcohol testing based on when alcohol consumption stopped.
Results are estimates and can vary depending on drinking patterns, individual metabolism, hydration, overall health, and the cutoff level used by the testing laboratory.
What This Estimate Means
This calculator provides an estimate, not a guarantee. ETG (ethyl glucuronide) detection times vary widely from person to person, even when drinking amounts and timing appear similar.
The calculator is designed using the longest commonly cited ETG detection window (up to approximately 80 hours) to provide a cautious estimate of when testing risk may decrease.
Several factors influence how long ETG remains detectable, including how much alcohol was consumed, how often drinking occurred, body composition, hydration, liver function, and individual metabolism. Laboratory cutoff thresholds can also affect whether a test is reported as positive or negative.
Use this estimate as general guidance—not certainty—especially when testing is time-sensitive.
How to Use the ETG Calculator
Follow these steps to estimate the earliest time when ETG testing risk may decrease, assuming no additional alcohol is consumed.
First: Under the heading “Day,” select the day of the week when alcohol consumption fully stopped.
Second: Under “Time,” click the clock icon and choose the exact time (hour and minute) when drinking ended on that day.
Third: Click “Calculate.”
The calculator will display the earliest estimated day and time when the risk of a positive ETG urine alcohol test may decrease, based on the calculator’s conservative detection window.
What Is an ETG Alcohol Test and How Does It Work?
An ETG alcohol test does not measure alcohol itself. Instead, it detects ethyl glucuronide (ETG), a direct metabolite produced when the body processes alcohol.
When alcohol is consumed, the liver metabolizes it and produces ETG as a byproduct. While alcohol may leave the bloodstream within hours, ETG remains detectable in the body for much longer—primarily in urine, but also in blood and hair.
Because ETG stays in the system after alcohol has been eliminated, ETG testing can detect alcohol use days after drinking occurred. This makes it fundamentally different from breath or blood alcohol tests, which measure only current intoxication.
ETG testing is commonly used in workplace monitoring, treatment programs, court-ordered testing, probation requirements, and other settings where abstinence verification is required.
ETG Detection Window Explained
TG detection time is not fixed. In most cases, ETG can be detected in urine for approximately 48 to 72 hours after alcohol consumption. However, heavier or repeated drinking can extend detection toward the outer range of roughly 80 hours.
This calculator is intentionally designed using the longest commonly cited ETG detection window—up to approximately 80 hours—to provide a conservative estimate of testing risk. This approach helps account for individual variation and reduces the likelihood of underestimating detection time.
Several factors influence how long ETG remains detectable, including the amount of alcohol consumed, frequency of drinking, body composition, hydration, liver function, and individual metabolism. Laboratory testing thresholds can also affect when results transition from positive to negative.
Because of these variables, the calculator should be viewed as a risk-reduction tool rather than a precise prediction. Even when two people drink similar amounts, ETG clearance timelines may differ significantly.
ETG Cutoff Levels and Why They Matter
ETG test results are not reported simply as “detected” or “not detected.” Laboratories use cutoff thresholds to determine whether an ETG result is considered positive or negative.
Common ETG cutoff levels include 100 ng/mL, 200 ng/mL, and 500 ng/mL. Lower cutoff levels are more sensitive and can detect smaller amounts of alcohol exposure, while higher cutoffs reduce the likelihood that incident
Can ETG Tests Produce False Positives?
ETG tests are highly sensitive. While this sensitivity improves detection accuracy, it also means that certain sources of alcohol exposure may contribute to detectable ETG levels in some cases.
Products such as mouthwash, hand sanitizers, certain medications, and other alcohol-containing products have been associated with incidental ETG exposure. Modern testing protocols and cutoff thresholds are designed to reduce the likelihood that incidental exposure alone will produce a positive result.
Interpretation still requires context. Drinking behavior, timing of exposure, laboratory cutoff levels, and testing conditions all play a role in determining whether a result reflects alcohol consumption or incidental exposure.
Common Questions About ETG Testing
Can one drink cause a positive ETG test?
In some cases, yes—particularly when lower cutoff levels are used and testing occurs shortly after drinking.
Does drinking water help clear ETG faster?
Hydration can affect urine concentration, but it does not reliably eliminate ETG or guarantee a negative test result.
Is ETG more accurate than a breathalyzer?
ETG tests detect prior alcohol use over days, while breathalyzers measure only current intoxication.
Why do ETG results vary so much between people?
Individual metabolism, body composition, liver function, drinking patterns, and lab cutoff levels all influence detection time.
How long after drinking is ETG most likely detectable?
ETG is most commonly detectable within the first 24 to 72 hours after drinking, though detection may extend longer in some cases depending on drinking patterns and individual metabolism.
When to Seek Additional Guidance
If an ETG test result could have serious consequences—such as employment, legal, or treatment-related outcomes—consider confirming details directly with the testing provider or a qualified healthcare professional.
If alcohol use has become difficult to control or abstinence is challenging, support and treatment options are available.
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If you or someone you care about is trying to stop drinking and needs support, we can help connect you with treatment options, including programs that accept Medicaid and low-cost services.
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