🌍 Carbon Footprint Calculator
Your carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas you cause in a year, measured in tonnes of CO₂. For most people the big three are driving, home electricity and flying — together they usually make up more than half of a personal footprint.
This calculator estimates your yearly emissions from those three sources using standard EPA emission factors, then rates your result against the US average of about 16 tonnes per person.
How to use this calculator
Enter your yearly driving miles, monthly electricity use in kWh, and number of flights, then read your total footprint in tonnes of CO₂ per year.
- Enter miles driven per year.
- Enter monthly electricity use in kWh (check a utility bill).
- Enter short and long flights taken per year.
- Read your total footprint and the comparison rating.
What Is a Good Carbon Footprint?
The average American produces about 16 tonnes of CO₂ per year, while the global average is under 5 tonnes. A footprint below 4 tonnes is excellent and roughly in line with what climate scientists say is sustainable per person. The fastest cuts usually come from driving less or switching to an EV, improving home efficiency, and trimming flights — one long-haul round trip can add over a tonne on its own.
Frequently asked questions
What is a carbon footprint?
The total greenhouse gases caused by your activities in a year, expressed as tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. It covers driving, home energy, flights, food and purchases.
What is the average carbon footprint per person?
About 16 tonnes per year in the US, roughly 5 tonnes globally. Sustainable targets discussed by climate scientists are around 2-3 tonnes per person.
How much CO2 does a car produce per year?
A typical petrol car emits about 4.6 tonnes per year at 12,000 miles. Our calculator uses 8.89 kg of CO₂ per gallon of petrol burned.
Do flights really matter that much?
Yes. A single long-haul flight adds roughly 1 tonne of CO₂ per passenger — often more than months of driving. Short flights are far less damaging per trip.
How can I reduce my carbon footprint fast?
Drive less or go electric, cut home energy waste, fly less, and eat less red meat. Offsets are a last resort after reducing — not a substitute.