What fuel flow rate should I enter?

Use the approved POH/AFM data for the actual aircraft, power setting, altitude, mixture and phase of flight. A single cruise-flow estimate does not automatically include taxi, climb, descent, contingency, diversion, unusable fuel or operational margins.

How much fuel reserve should I plan?

For U.S. fixed-wing operations under 14 CFR 91.151, VFR minimums are destination plus 30 minutes by day or 45 minutes at night at normal cruising speed. Section 91.167 has different IFR planning elements, including destination, an alternate when required, and 45 minutes thereafter. Rules vary by operation and jurisdiction; this calculator does not determine compliance or calculate an alternate leg.

Does this calculator account for wind?

No. Enter forecast groundspeed, not true airspeed. A headwind normally lowers groundspeed and increases time and fuel for a given distance; a tailwind does the opposite.

What is the difference between trip fuel and total fuel?

Trip fuel is the fuel burned from takeoff to landing at your destination, based on flight time at the given flow rate. Total fuel includes the trip fuel plus your planned reserve. Always ensure your aircraft's usable fuel capacity meets or exceeds the total fuel figure before departure.

Can I use this for turbine or jet aircraft?

This page accepts volumetric flow only (US gal/h or L/h). Select Jet-A to estimate weight from volume. Do not enter pounds per hour in a volume field; use an aircraft-specific mass-flow planner for PPH or kg/h data.

Why does fuel burn differ from the POH range chart?

POH range charts typically assume ISA conditions, a specific power setting, and no wind. Real-world fuel burn varies with density altitude, engine wear, carburetor heat usage, and actual wind. Carry a reasonable buffer above the book figures, especially for long flights or unfamiliar aircraft.

Fuel Burn Calculator

Enter distance, planned groundspeed, and fuel flow to estimate trip fuel, reserve fuel, weight, cost, and usable-fuel margin.

Flight Parameters

Units:

Distance (nautical miles)

Planned Groundspeed (knots)

Fuel Flow Rate (gal / hr)

Fuel type (weight estimate)

Planning constants only; actual density varies with grade and temperature.

Fuel Reserve (minutes, optional)

Usable Fuel (gallons, optional)

Fuel Price (per gallon, USD)

Fill in the flight parameters on the left and press Calculate.

Formula and planning scope

time = distance ÷ groundspeed; trip fuel = time × flow; reserve fuel = reserve minutes ÷ 60 × flow. Total fuel here is trip plus selected reserve. It does not automatically include taxi, run-up, climb, descent, an IFR alternate leg, contingency, unusable fuel, or operator-specific requirements.

Use current approved POH/AFM performance data and an approved planning method. Never use this estimate as the sole basis for dispatch or fuel loading.

U.S. references and privacy

14 CFR § 91.151 describes VFR fuel requirements. 14 CFR § 91.167 describes IFR fuel requirements. Check the current rules for your aircraft, operation and jurisdiction.

Privacy: calculations run locally in your browser. Values entered here are not uploaded or stored by this tool.

Summary

Enter distance, planned groundspeed, and fuel flow to estimate trip fuel, reserve fuel, weight, cost, and usable-fuel margin.

How it works

Enter the total distance for your flight in nautical miles or statute miles.
Enter forecast groundspeed and fuel flow from your Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) or approved Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM).
Optionally enter reserve minutes; the 30- and 45-minute buttons are quick inputs, not a determination of the rule applicable to your flight.
Enter the current fuel price per gallon (or per liter if you select metric units).
The calculator computes flight time, trip fuel, reserve fuel, total fuel required, and estimated cost.
Optionally enter usable fuel to compare it with the calculated requirement and estimated landing fuel.

Use cases

Estimate fuel cost before booking a cross-country VFR flight.
Verify fuel load is sufficient for the route plus required reserves.
Compare fuel burn across different cruising speeds for the same route.
Plan fuel stops for long cross-country flights in light piston aircraft.
Quickly calculate flight time from distance and airspeed during preflight planning.
Budget fuel costs for flight training hours or rental aircraft.
Cross-check fuel burn against the POH range chart for a given power setting.
Teach student pilots the relationship between airspeed, distance, and fuel consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-09-20 · Reviewed by Nham Vu