Tractor fuel consumption calculator

Estimate diesel consumption rate, total fuel burn, and operating costs from tractor power and load.

Your estimate

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How the calculation works

US: Fuel (gal/h) = (0.048 × load% + 0.0185) × PTO hp Metric: Fuel (L/h) = (0.048 × load% + 0.0185) × (PTO kW ÷ 0.7457) × 3.785 Total fuel = hourly fuel × operating hours Fuel cost = total fuel × fuel price

In the ASAE D497.7 formula, engine load is a decimal fraction (e.g. 65% = 0.65). Enter the percentage in the form. Hourly fuel burn multiplied by operating hours gives estimated total fuel. When fuel price is entered, total and hourly fuel expenditures are calculated. Travel and idle time should be accounted for separately.

This baseline reflects modern diesel engines under steady field load. Actual fuel consumption varies with soil conditions, terrain, implement draft, operator gear selection, and diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) usage.

Read the related guide

Before you commit

Check what you have confirmed. Print this sheet with open questions visible.

Select an average operating load (typically 50% for mowing/spraying, 65–75% for tillage, 80% for deep ripping)
Enter realistic field hours including turnarounds
Check local delivered fuel prices

Formula & reference sources

See our methodology for unit definitions and evidence boundaries.