Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) Unit Converter

MedFinal Seamless Index

Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) is a psychoactive substance and central nervous system depressant. It is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and metabolized primarily in the liver by the enzyme Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH).

Clinically, measuring serum ethanol levels is vital for assessing acute intoxication, managing overdose, and calculating the **Osmolal Gap**. Ethanol is also used as a competitive inhibitor antidote in the toxicological treatment of methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning. Reporting units must be standardized to accurately assess legal impairment levels (often based on mass mg/dL or volume percent % w/v).

SI Units / Molar

Recommended

mmol/L

µmol/L

Millimoles per liter (Standard International).

Conventional / Mass / Percent

mg/dL

% w/v

g/L

mg/L

µg/mL

mg%

Clinical Context

Impairment Thresholds: The legal intoxication limit in the US is typically **0.08% w/v** or **80 mg/dL** (≈ 17.4 mmol/L).

In toxicology, serum ethanol levels are used to calculate the **Osmolal Gap** (Osmolal Gap = Measured Osm – Calculated Osm). Each 10 mg/dL of ethanol contributes approximately 2.2 mOsm/kg to the gap. The conversion factor relies on MW 46.07 g/mol: 1 mmol/L ≈ 4.607 mg/dL.

Clinical References

How to Use This Calculator

Follow these steps to get accurate clinical conversions instantly.

Enter Values

Input your laboratory results into the corresponding unit field (e.g., mg/dL). You can use either dot or comma decimals.

Automatic Conversion

The calculator works in real-time. As you type in one field, all other units (like mmol/L or % w/v) are instantly updated.

Verify Units

Check the SI Units section. mmol/L is the standard molar concentration unit.

Reset

Use the Clear button to reset all fields before starting a new calculation.

? Frequently Asked Questions & Tips

Is $\text{mg/dL}$ the same as $\text{mg}\%$?

Yes. $\text{mg/dL}$ (milligrams per deciliter) and $\text{mg}\%$ (milligrams per 100 milliliters) are numerically identical.

How is $\%$ w/v related to $\text{mg/dL}$?

1% w/v means 1g/100mL. Since $1\text{ g} = 1000\text{ mg}$, $1\text{ dL} = 100\text{ mL}$. Thus $1\% \text{ w/v} = 1000\text{ mg/dL}$.

Disclaimer: This calculator is provided for educational and reference purposes only. It is not intended for clinical diagnosis, treatment, or medical decision-making. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional and refer to your laboratory’s official reference ranges before interpretation.

Browse Medical Laboratory Calculators