🌍 Carbon Offset Calculator
Enter your estimated CO2 emissions and a carbon offset price per tonne to see the cost of offsetting them, along with a rough tree-planting equivalent.
What Is a Carbon Offset?
A carbon offset represents a reduction, avoidance, or removal of one tonne of carbon dioxide (or equivalent greenhouse gas) elsewhere, purchased to counterbalance emissions you can’t eliminate directly — for example, funding reforestation, renewable energy, or methane capture projects.
The Formula
This calculator uses a simple multiplication: Offset Cost = CO2 Emissions (tonnes) × Price per Tonne. The tree-planting equivalent uses a commonly cited estimate that one mature tree absorbs roughly 21 kg (about 46 lbs) of CO2 per year, so Trees Needed = (CO2 in kg) / 21.
How to Use the Result
Offset prices vary widely (often $5-50+ per tonne) depending on the project type and certification standard, so treat the price field as an estimate you can adjust. The tree equivalent is a rough illustration, not a precise carbon accounting method — actual CO2 absorption per tree depends heavily on species, age, climate, and growing conditions.
- For general educational and planning purposes only.
- Look for third-party verified offset programs (e.g., Verra, Gold Standard) before purchasing offsets.