Avgas Fuel Weight Calculator
Aviation fuel is planned by volume at the pump but loaded into weight and balance by weight. This calculator converts a volume of avgas in US gallons to pounds and kilograms using a density you can edit, defaulting to the standard 6.0 pounds per US gallon used in FAA training. It also reports the volume in litres. Because real density varies with temperature and fuel grade, the density is a user input so nothing is assumed.
Fuel weight formula
Weight (lb) = volume (US gal) * density (lb/gal)
Weight (kg) = weight (lb) * 0.453592
Volume (litres) = volume (US gal) / 0.264172
The default density of 6.0 pounds per US gallon is the FAA planning standard for avgas. Edit it to match your fuel grade and temperature.
Fuel density planning values
- Avgas 100LL: about 6.0 pounds per US gallon (FAA planning standard).
- Jet A or Jet A-1: about 6.7 to 6.8 pounds per US gallon.
- Cold fuel is denser, so a gallon weighs slightly more.
- Always reconcile loaded weight against your maximum gross weight.
Avgas weight: frequently asked questions
How much does avgas weigh per gallon?
Aviation gasoline (100LL) is commonly planned at 6.0 pounds per US gallon for weight and balance, a standard value used in FAA training materials. Actual density varies with temperature, so this calculator lets you edit the density per gallon. Jet A is denser, typically planned near 6.7 pounds per US gallon.
Why does fuel weight matter for flight planning?
Fuel is often the largest variable load on a light aircraft. Its weight affects whether you are within maximum gross weight and where the centre of gravity falls, and it burns off in flight, shifting both. Converting planned gallons to pounds is a routine part of every weight and balance calculation.
Does temperature change avgas weight per gallon?
Yes. Like most liquids, avgas expands when warm and contracts when cold, so a gallon weighs slightly less on a hot day and slightly more on a cold one. The 6.0 pounds per gallon figure is a planning standard. For precise work, use the density at the actual fuel temperature, which you can enter here.
How do I convert litres to pounds?
Multiply litres by 0.264172 to get US gallons, then by your density in pounds per gallon. This calculator does both steps and also reports kilograms using 1 pound equals 0.453592 kilograms.
Official sources
- FAA: Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook (fuel weight planning).
- NIST: unit conversions (gallon, litre, pound, kilogram).
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 19 June 2026. See our methodology.