Fuel CO₂ Emissions Calculator
Estimate the carbon dioxide produced by burning a quantity of fuel. Enter the litres used and the fuel's emission factor (kg of CO₂ released per litre), and this calculator multiplies them to give the CO₂ released — useful for sizing the footprint of a trip or a generator.
Formula
CO₂ (kg) = Fuel Used (L) × Emission Factor (kg CO₂ per L)
- Burning fuel releases CO₂ in proportion to the amount used.
- CO₂ = litres of fuel × the fuel's emission factor (kg CO₂ per litre).
- Typical factors: petrol ≈ 2.31 kg/L, diesel ≈ 2.68 kg/L, LPG ≈ 1.51 kg/L.
- Factors come from the fuel's carbon content and density; check a local source for precise figures.
- Divide by 1,000 to express the result in tonnes of CO₂.
- This covers tailpipe (combustion) CO₂ only, not the emissions from producing and delivering the fuel.
50 L of petrol
Inputs
- Fuel Used (L): 50
- Emission Factor (kg CO₂ per L): 2.31
CO₂ = 50 L × 2.31 kg/L = 115.5 kg of carbon dioxide, or about 0.116 tonnes.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does a litre of fuel produce?
Roughly 2.31 kg for petrol and 2.68 kg for diesel. The exact figure depends on the fuel's carbon content and density.
Why is CO₂ heavier than the fuel burned?
Each carbon atom in the fuel combines with two oxygen atoms from the air to form CO₂, so the mass of CO₂ produced is far greater than the mass of fuel consumed.
What's an emission factor?
It's the amount of CO₂ released per unit of fuel — here kilograms of CO₂ per litre. Multiplying it by litres used gives total emissions.
Does this include fuel production?
No. It estimates combustion (tailpipe) emissions only. Well-to-wheel figures, which add extraction, refining, and transport, are higher.