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CO2 Emissions From Fuel Calculator

Work out co2 emissions from fuel instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About CO2 Emissions From Fuel Calculator

Burning fuel converts almost all its carbon to carbon dioxide, so emissions per litre are fixed by composition: 2.31 kg for petrol and 2.68 kg for diesel, which is denser and more carbon-rich per litre. Fifty litres of petrol releases 115.5 kg of CO2 - more than the fuel weighed, because each carbon atom collects two oxygens from the air.

Formulas

Emissions

CO2 = volume x emission factor

Tree offset

a mature broadleaf absorbs roughly 21 kg of CO2 a year

Worked example

With the default values below, CO2 Emissions From Fuel Calculator returns Carbon Dioxide Emitted of 115.50. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Fuel consumedminimum 0 L
50 L
Fuel typeone of Petrol (2.31 kg CO2/L), Diesel (2.68 kg CO2/L), LPG (1.51 kg CO2/L), Kerosene / jet fuel (2.54 kg CO2/L), Heating oil (2.52 kg CO2/L)
Petrol (2.31 kg CO2/L)

Results

Carbon Dioxide Emitted
115.50 kg
Same Emissions In Tonnes
0.1155
Emission Factor Applied
2.31 kg CO2/L
Mature Trees Needed For A Year To Absorb It
5.5

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Emissions
  3. 3Tree offset
  4. 4Carbon Dioxide Emitted= 115.50 kg
  5. 5Same Emissions In Tonnes= 0.1155
  6. 6Emission Factor Applied= 2.31 kg CO2/L
  7. 7Mature Trees Needed For A Year To Absorb It= 5.5

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 2 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 4 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can 40 kg of petrol make 115 kg of CO2?

Because the oxygen comes from the atmosphere. Carbon's mass of 12 becomes carbon dioxide's 44, so mass more than triples.

Why is diesel worse per litre but often better per kilometre?

Diesel packs more energy and carbon per litre, but diesel engines are more efficient, so emissions per kilometre are usually lower.

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