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CO₂ from Fuel Calculator

Enter the fuel volume and type to estimate CO₂ emissions.

How it is calculated

The tool multiplies the fuel volume by a fixed emission factor for the chosen fuel: CO2 (kg) = volume (litres) × factor (kg per litre). The factors built in are 2.31 for petrol, 2.68 for diesel, 1.51 for LPG and 2.54 for kerosene. It shows the mass in kilograms (two decimals), the same amount in tonnes (four decimals, kg divided by 1000) and the factor used. The volume must be in litres and cannot be negative; zero is accepted. If the fuel is missing or not one of the four types, petrol is used, so check the factor line in the result. These are typical combustion factors; actual emissions vary with fuel blend (for example ethanol content) and exclude production and transport of the fuel.

Worked example

Burning 50 litres of diesel. The factor for diesel is 2.68 kg per litre. CO2 = 50 × 2.68 = 134.00 kg. In tonnes: 134 / 1000 = 0.1340 t. The same 50 litres of petrol would give 50 × 2.31 = 115.50 kg, so diesel gives more CO2 per litre.

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Common mistakes

  • Entering gallons. The volume is in litres; a US gallon is about 3.785 litres, so 10 gallons should be typed as roughly 37.85.
  • Entering the distance driven instead of the fuel used. Convert with your fuel consumption first.
  • Not checking the factor shown. An unrecognised fuel silently falls back to petrol at 2.31 kg/L.
  • Choosing the wrong fuel for a comparison. Diesel gives more CO2 per litre than petrol, even though it may use fewer litres per kilometre.
  • Reading the result as the full climate impact. Only the CO2 from burning is counted, not other gases or the supply chain.

About this calculator

Every fuel releases a predictable amount of CO₂ when burned, based on its carbon content, expressed as a standard emission factor — roughly 2.31 kg CO₂ per litre of petrol (gasoline) and 2.68 kg CO₂ per litre of diesel, with LPG (1.51 kg/L) and kerosene (2.54 kg/L) having their own factors. Multiplying the volume of fuel burned by the correct factor gives a straightforward carbon-emissions estimate without needing a lab measurement.

This calculator takes a fuel volume in litres and a fuel type (petrol, diesel, LPG or kerosene) and returns the estimated CO₂ emissions from burning it in kilograms and tonnes, along with the factor used. Businesses compiling Scope 1 emissions for sustainability reporting, individuals estimating a road trip or heating season's carbon footprint, and students learning about emission factors use it as a quick, standards-based way to convert fuel consumption into a carbon figure.

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