Carbon Footprint Calculator
Get a quick, transparent estimate of your yearly greenhouse gas emissions from driving, flying, home electricity and gas, and food. Every emission factor is shown in the working, and you can replace the defaults with your own figures.
Leave blank for the average for your car type.
Under about 3 hours; assumed 1,100 km each way.
Assumed 6,500 km each way.
US avg ≈ 0.37, UK ≈ 0.21, 100% renewable tariff = 0. Use the presets or your supplier's figure.
Home energy is split equally between them.
How to use the Carbon Footprint Calculator
- Enter your travel: car type and yearly distance, and the number of short- and long-haul return flights.
- Enter home energy from your bills: yearly electricity in kWh and natural gas, plus how many people live with you.
- Set your grid factor with a preset or your supplier's figure (0 for a 100% renewable tariff).
- Choose your diet and press Calculate footprint.
- Review the breakdown and tips to see where cuts would make the most difference.
Formula and emission factors
Footprint (kg CO2e) = Σ activity × emission factor, then ÷ 1,000 for tonnes. Home energy is divided by the number of people in the household.
| Activity | Default factor | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol car | 0.164 kg CO2e/km (0.264 per mile) | Average car, UK DESNZ 2023 (rounded) |
| Diesel car | 0.170 kg CO2e/km (0.274 per mile) | Average car, UK DESNZ 2023 (rounded) |
| Hybrid car | 0.120 kg CO2e/km | Average hybrid, UK DESNZ 2023 (rounded) |
| Electric car | 0.17 kWh/km × grid factor | Typical EV consumption incl. charging losses |
| Short-haul flight | 0.09 kg CO2/passenger-km (×1.7 optional) | Economy seat, 1,100 km each way assumed |
| Long-haul flight | 0.085 kg CO2/passenger-km (×1.7 optional) | Economy seat, 6,500 km each way assumed |
| Electricity | Your grid factor (US ≈ 0.37, UK ≈ 0.21 kg/kWh) | EPA eGRID / DESNZ 2023 national averages |
| Natural gas | 0.183 kg CO2e/kWh (5.4 per therm, ≈ 1.96 per m³) | Combustion, gross calorific value |
| Diet | 2.89 (vegan) to 7.19 (high meat) kg CO2e/day | Scarborough et al., Climatic Change, 2014 |
Diet emissions per year
| Diet | kg CO2e per day | Tonnes per year |
|---|---|---|
| High meat (100 g+ a day) | 7.19 | 2.62 |
| Medium meat (50–99 g) | 5.63 | 2.05 |
| Low meat (under 50 g) | 4.67 | 1.70 |
| Pescatarian | 3.91 | 1.43 |
| Vegetarian | 3.81 | 1.39 |
| Vegan | 2.89 | 1.05 |
Where to find your numbers
- Driving: compare odometer readings a year apart, or check service records.
- Electricity and gas: annual statements show kWh (or therms/m³); add up 12 monthly bills if needed.
- Flights: count each return trip once; a one-way trip counts as half.
Frequently asked questions
How is a carbon footprint calculated?
Each activity is multiplied by an emission factor: kilometres driven × kg CO2e per km, kWh of electricity × the grid's kg CO2e per kWh, and so on. The results are added and divided by 1,000 to give tonnes of CO2-equivalent (CO2e) per year.
What emission factors does this calculator use?
Average cars: petrol 0.164, diesel 0.170 and hybrid 0.120 kg CO2e per km, and electric cars 0.17 kWh/km × your grid factor (rounded from UK government DESNZ 2023 averages). Flights: 0.09 (short-haul) and 0.085 (long-haul) kg CO2 per passenger-km for economy seats, ×1.7 when non-CO2 effects are included. Natural gas: 0.183 kg per kWh. Diet: Scarborough et al. (2014), 2.89 to 7.19 kg CO2e per day.
What is CO2e?
CO2-equivalent combines carbon dioxide with other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide, weighted by how much each warms the planet relative to CO2. It is the standard unit for carbon footprints.
What is an average carbon footprint?
Global average fossil CO2 emissions are about 4.7 tonnes per person per year (2022), but national averages range from under 1 tonne to over 14 tonnes. Full consumption footprints, including goods and services, are higher than the categories covered here.
Why does the calculator multiply flight emissions by 1.7?
Aircraft also warm the climate through contrails and nitrogen oxides at altitude. The size of this effect is uncertain; UK government conversion factors include a similar uplift. You can untick the option to count CO2 only.
Where do I find my grid emission factor?
Your electricity supplier's fuel mix disclosure often lists grams of CO2 per kWh (divide by 1,000 for kg). National averages are roughly 0.37 kg/kWh for the US (EPA eGRID) and 0.21 kg/kWh for the UK (DESNZ 2023). A certified 100% renewable tariff can be entered as 0.
Is this an exact measurement?
No. It is an estimate based on averages for vehicles, flights and diets, and it covers only five major areas. Use it to see the size of each part of your footprint and which changes matter most.