Carbon Footprint
The average American generates 16 metric tons of CO₂ per year — 2× the global average. Our carbon footprint calculator breaks down your emissions by category: home energy, transportation, diet, and goods/services — and compares you to national and global averages, with actionable reduction recommendations sorted by impact.
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About the Carbon Footprint Calculator
The average American generates 16 metric tons of CO₂ per year — 2× the global average. Our carbon footprint calculator breaks down your emissions by category: home energy, transportation, diet, and goods/services — and compares you to national and global averages, with actionable reduction recommendations sorted by impact.
How to use it
- Enter your home energy use: electricity (kWh/month) and natural gas or heating oil.
- Enter transportation: miles driven and vehicle MPG, flights per year, public transit use.
- Enter diet type: meat-heavy, average, vegetarian, or vegan.
- See your total annual CO₂e (CO₂ equivalent) in metric tons, with category breakdown.
Formula & methodology
Electricity: kWh × grid emission factor (US average: 0.386 kg CO₂/kWh, varies by state). Natural gas: therms × 5.302 kg CO₂/therm. Driving: miles × (8.887 kg CO₂/gallon ÷ MPG). Flying: flight miles × 0.255 kg CO₂/mile (short-haul) to 0.195 kg (long-haul). Diet: beef = ~27 kg CO₂e/kg, chicken = 6.9 kg, plant-based = 2 kg.
Common use cases
- Personal sustainability planning: identifying your highest-impact changes
- Corporate sustainability reporting: employee commute emissions
- Event planning: estimating attendee travel footprint
- Comparing the impact of diet change vs buying an EV
- Carbon offset purchasing: determining how many tons to offset
Frequently asked questions
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