Rolling Resistance Calculator
Enter vehicle weight, speed, and rolling resistance coefficient to compute rolling resistance force, power loss, and estimated fuel consumption impact.
Use the Rolling Resistance Calculator
Input Parameters
Typical range: 0.003 (racing slick) to 0.35 (loose sand). Click a row in the table below to auto-fill.
Results
Enter values and click Calculate
Approximation; assumes 30% drivetrain efficiency & 33 MJ/L gasoline.
Crr Preset Reference Table
Click any row to auto-fill the Crr field above.
| Surface / Tire Type | Crr (typical) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Racing slick (asphalt) | 0.003 | Formula-style slick tires, smooth track |
| Road bicycle (high pressure) | 0.007 | Clincher or tubular at 100+ psi |
| Low-rolling-resistance car tire | 0.010 | Eco/LRR labeled passenger tire |
| Standard car tire (smooth asphalt) | 0.013 | Typical passenger vehicle on highway |
| Car tire on concrete | 0.015 | Slightly rougher than smooth asphalt |
| Truck tire (loaded, asphalt) | 0.020 | Radial truck tires, fully loaded |
| Mountain bike (gravel/dirt) | 0.040 | Knobby tires on packed gravel |
| Car tire on gravel/dirt road | 0.060 | Unpaved loose surface |
| Tractor / off-road (soft soil) | 0.100 | Agricultural tires on soft ground |
| Vehicle on loose sand | 0.300 | Beach or desert driving, very high drag |
Summary
This rolling resistance calculator uses the formula F = Crr × N, where Crr is the dimensionless rolling resistance coefficient and N is the normal force (vehicle weight × gravity). It computes the resistive force in Newtons and pound-force, the mechanical power lost to rolling resistance at a given speed, and an approximate fuel consumption penalty in liters per 100 km or miles per gallon. A built-in preset table covers common surfaces and tire types so you can quickly select a realistic Crr value.
How it works
- Enter the vehicle weight and select the unit (kg or lbs).
- Enter the vehicle speed and select the unit (km/h or mph).
- Enter a rolling resistance coefficient (Crr) or click a preset row in the reference table below.
- Click Calculate to see rolling resistance force, power loss, and fuel impact.
- Use Reset to clear the form and start a new calculation.
Use cases
- Estimating tire rolling resistance for passenger cars on asphalt or concrete.
- Comparing fuel efficiency impact of different tire types or road surfaces.
- Calculating power budget for electric vehicles and bicycles.
- Evaluating energy losses in heavy trucks and logistics fleets.
- Educational demonstrations of vehicle dynamics and road load analysis.
- Benchmarking low-rolling-resistance tires against standard tires.
- Estimating drive power requirements for off-road or agricultural vehicles.
- Supporting race car setup decisions when optimizing for minimum drag.