Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator
Other Calculators
There are a number of other web-based calculators that can estimate greenhouse gas emission reductions for
For basic information and details on greenhouse gas emissions, visit the Emissions section of EPA’s climate change site.
UPDATED May 2011. New NYUP sub region and national average non-baseload emissions rates updated. See the revision history page for more details.
Did you ever wonder what reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 1 million metric tons means in everyday terms? The greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator can help you understand just that, translating abstract measurements into concrete terms you can understand, such as "equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions of 183,000 cars annually."
This calculator may be useful in communicating your greenhouse gas reduction strategy, reduction targets, or other initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Enter Your Data Below
There are two options for entering reduction data into this calculator.
Option 1: If You Don’t Have Emissions Data
- If you are starting with data in units of "gallons of gasoline consumed," "kilowatt-hours of electricity," "therms of natural gas," or "passenger vehicles per year" instead of a quantity of emissions of specific greenhouse gases, use this option.
- Enter a quantity and pick the desired unit below; and
- Click on the "Calculate Equivalent" button to convert your value to Carbon Dioxide Equivalent.
- If you are entering kilowatt-hours of electricity, please be sure to read the caveats and explanations on the Calculations and Reference page.
- Please note that these estimates are approximate and should not be used for emission inventory or formal carbon footprinting exercises.
Option 2: If You Already Know the Quantity of Emissions
If you have already estimated the quantity of emissions (e.g., metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent), you can input the amount of emissions and select the appropriate units for the corresponding greenhouse gas type.