CO2 Emissions Calculator

The Direct Line From Carbon Burned to CO2 Released

Every atom of carbon in a fuel combines with oxygen during combustion to form CO2, in a fixed molecular ratio that makes CO2 output entirely predictable once you know how much carbon was burned.

The Formula

CO2 Mass = Fuel Mass × Carbon Fraction × (44/12)

44/12 is the molecular weight ratio of CO2 to elemental carbon.

Worked Example

Burning 1,000 kg of a fuel that's 85% carbon:

CO2 = 1,000 × 0.85 × 3.667 = 3,117 kg CO2

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the Fuel Mass burned.
Enter the fuel's Carbon percentage by mass.
Select Calculate to get total CO2 emitted.

Related Calculations

Need this combined with other greenhouse gases? See the Greenhouse Gas Calculator, or check SO2 from sulfur content in the SO2 Emission Calculator.