Enter the fuel volume or fuel weight into the Aviation Fuel Weight Calculator, select the units and fuel type, then click Calculate. The calculator will evaluate the Aviation Fuel Weight.
Aviation Fuel Weight Formula
The following two example problems outline the steps and information needed to calculate the Aviation Fuel Weight.
AFW = VF \times \rho
Variables:
- AFW is the aviation fuel weight (lb)
- VF is the total volume of fuel (US gal)
- ρ is the fuel density (lb/US gal) at the temperature being assumed/measured
To calculate aviation fuel weight, multiply the total fuel volume by the appropriate fuel density. Fuel density depends on fuel type and temperature. As a common rule of thumb at 15°C/59°F, Jet A/Jet A-1 is often approximated at about 6.7 lb/US gal, while Avgas 100LL is often approximated at about 6.0 lb/US gal.
How to Calculate Aviation Fuel Weight?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Aviation Fuel Weight.
Example Problem #1:
- First, determine the total volume of fuel (US gallons) and the fuel type/density to use.
- The total volume of fuel is given as: 100 US gal.
- Assume Jet A fuel at 15°C/59°F with a typical density of 6.7 lb/US gal.
- Finally, calculate the Aviation Fuel Weight using the equation above:
AFW = VF × ρ
The values provided above are inserted into the equation below and computed.
AFW = 100 × 6.7 = 670.00 (lbs)
Example Problem #2:
For this problem, the variables required are provided below:
total volume of fuel (US gal) = 200
Assume Jet A fuel at 15°C/59°F with a typical density of 6.7 lb/US gal.
Test your knowledge and check your answer with the calculator.
AFW = VF × 6.7 = ?
