Carbon Footprint Calculator

This calculator benchmarks your result against about 16 metric tons of CO2 per person per year, the commonly cited US average. That is more than three times the global average of roughly 4 to 5 tons, driven mostly by car-heavy commutes, larger homes, and a meat-rich diet. Recent per-capita CO2 estimates run a bit lower, around 14 tons, but either way the US ranks among the highest emitters worldwide.

Skipping one long-haul flight saves about 2.4 tons, often the single biggest lever for people who fly. Switching to a renewable electricity plan cuts emissions in proportion to your kWh use and your grid's carbon intensity. A mostly plant-based diet saves up to about 2 tons compared with a high-meat diet, and driving fewer miles or going EV adds more. Target whichever category dominates your breakdown first.

Verified offsets from registries like Gold Standard or Verra fund real emission reductions elsewhere. They work best as a last step, after you have already cut what you can at home and in transport. Treat them as a complement, not a substitute, for lower emissions.

Gasoline uses 8.887 kg CO2 per gallon, natural gas uses 5.3 kg per therm, and heating oil uses 10.2 kg per gallon, all from EPA figures. Electricity is multiplied by your grid's carbon intensity, defaulting to 0.39 kg CO2/kWh, close to the US average. Short-haul flights count 0.255 tons each and long-haul flights 2.4 tons each, based on ICAO and DEFRA data. Diet figures come from peer-reviewed lifecycle studies.

No, it is a fast estimate using national averages and your self-reported inputs. Your real footprint depends on your specific vehicle, local grid mix, actual flight routes, and spending habits. Use the breakdown to find your biggest sources of emissions, then dig deeper with utility bills or a specialist tool for precise accounting.