What Are Food Miles?
Food miles refers to the distance food travels from where it’s produced to where it’s consumed, and the associated transportation emissions. It’s one factor (though not the only one) that contributes to a food item’s overall carbon footprint.
The Formula
This calculator uses the standard freight carbon accounting approach: Emissions = Weight (tonnes) × Distance (km) × Emission Factor (g CO2e per tonne-km). The emission factors used here are approximate, widely cited averages by transport mode: truck ≈ 62, rail ≈ 22, ship ≈ 10, and air freight ≈ 602 grams of CO2e per tonne-kilometer — air freight is dramatically more carbon-intensive per tonne-km than sea or rail.
How to Use the Result
This estimate covers transport emissions only; it does not include emissions from growing, processing, packaging, refrigeration, or retail, which for many foods (especially meat and dairy) can outweigh transport emissions entirely. Use this calculator to compare transport modes and distances, not as a full life-cycle carbon footprint.
- For general educational and comparison purposes only.
- Actual emission factors vary by vehicle efficiency, load factor, and route.