Carbon Offset Calculator — Flights

Calculate the CO2 emissions from your flight and how much it costs to offset them. Enter flight distance and seat class.

One-way flight distance

Round-trip doubles emissions

Higher class = more emissions per passenger

CO2 = Distance (miles) × 0.15 kg/mile (economy) × Seat Class Multiplier; Economy: 1.0x, Premium: 1.6x, Business: 2.6x, First: 3.5x; Offset Cost = CO2 (tons) × $15/ton; 1 tree absorbs ~22 kg CO2 per year
Example: 2,500 mile round-trip, economy class; Total CO2: 375 kg (0.38 tons); Offset cost: $5.63; Equivalent to: 17 months of tree absorption or 928 car miles

How much CO2 does a flight produce?

Average CO2 emissions per passenger per flight: Short-haul (under 3 hours, 500 miles): 90-150 kg CO2 per passenger, Medium-haul (3-6 hours, 1,500 miles): 180-300 kg CO2 per passenger, Long-haul (6-12 hours, 4,000 miles): 500-900 kg CO2 per passenger, Ultra long-haul (12+ hours, 7,000+ miles): 1,000-1,800 kg CO2 per passenger. Emissions vary by: Aircraft type (newer planes are more efficient), Seat class (first class = 3-4x economy emissions), Load factor (full planes = lower per-passenger emissions), Route (direct flights produce less than connecting flights). Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO2 emissions.

How much does it cost to offset a flight's carbon emissions?

Carbon offset costs (2025 prices): Domestic flight (500 miles): 90-150 kg CO2 = $1-$4 to offset, Cross-country (2,500 miles): 350-500 kg CO2 = $4-$12 to offset, Transatlantic (4,000 miles): 500-900 kg CO2 = $6-$20 to offset, Round-trip international: 1,000-2,000 kg CO2 = $12-$40 to offset. Offset price per ton CO2: Low-quality offsets: $3-$8/ton (avoid these), Mid-quality (Gold Standard, Verified Carbon Standard): $10-$20/ton, High-quality (direct air capture, biochar): $100-$300/ton. Recommended: Purchase Gold Standard or VCS certified offsets from reputable providers (Goldstand.org, Cool Effect, Native Energy).

Do carbon offsets actually work?

Carbon offsets can be effective IF you choose high-quality projects. What makes a good offset: Additionality: The project wouldn't exist without offset funding, Permanence: The carbon stays stored (forestry offsets risk reversal from fires), Verification: Third-party certified (Gold Standard, VCS, ACR), No double-counting: The offset is only claimed once. Good offset projects: Reforestation and forest conservation, Renewable energy (wind, solar in developing countries), Methane capture from landfills, Clean cookstoves in developing nations. What to avoid: Uncertified offsets, Projects that would have happened anyway, Offsets with no verification or monitoring. Best approach: Reduce emissions first (fly less, take trains for short trips), offset what you can't avoid.

How can I reduce my flight's carbon footprint?

Practical ways to reduce aviation emissions: Fly direct: Takeoff and landing use the most fuel, Choose economy: More passengers = lower per-person emissions, Pack light: Less weight = less fuel, Choose newer aircraft: A350, 787 are 20-25% more efficient than older models, Fly during the day: Contrails at night have extra warming effect, Take fewer flights: Replace one long-haul with a vacation closer to home, Consider trains: Under 500 miles, trains produce 80% less CO2, Offset your flights: Costs $5-$40 and funds carbon reduction projects, Choose airlines with newer fleets: JetBlue, Delta, United investing in fuel efficiency.