The food miles calculator estimates CO2 emissions from food transportation based on distance traveled, transport mode, and food weight. Air-freighted food produces up to 200× more transport emissions than sea freight — but production methods often matter more than distance.
Food Item
Mode Comparison for Same Journey
Transport emissions only. Production methods often have larger impact than food miles.
Transport Emission Factors
| Mode | g CO2 / tonne-km | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| Air freight | 2,100 | 210× |
| Road (truck) | 100 | 10× |
| Rail | 50 | 5× |
| Sea freight | 10 | 1× (baseline) |
| Local delivery | 180 | 18× |
How to Use the Food Miles Calculator
This food miles calculator estimates the transportation CO2 emissions of food items based on distance, weight, and transport mode. Select the food category, enter the weight and approximate origin distance, and choose a transport mode (or let the calculator auto-detect a likely mode).
Choosing Transport Mode
The auto-detect mode selects a likely transport method based on distance and food type: perishable foods over 2,000 miles are likely air-freighted; durable goods travel by sea or rail; local produce typically uses road transport. You can override with the specific mode if you know how your food was transported.
Understanding the Results
Results show transport CO2 in grams for the specific food item. Note that transport is typically 10-20% of a food's total carbon footprint — production methods (livestock farming, greenhouse heating, irrigation) usually have a much larger impact. Local beef still has far higher total emissions than imported lentils.
When Food Miles Really Matter
Air freight is the exception where transport significantly dominates: imported strawberries in winter, fresh-cut flowers, and exotic tropical fruits flown in can have transport footprints 50-200× higher than sea-freighted alternatives. For these items, local seasonal alternatives make a real difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this food miles calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required.
What are food miles?
Food miles measure the distance food travels from farm to plate. Imported strawberries in winter may travel 5,000+ miles by plane, while local summer strawberries travel under 100 miles. Higher food miles generally mean more transportation emissions, though the relationship isn't simple.
Are local foods always more eco-friendly?
Not always. The production method often matters more than transportation distance. For example, year-round local tomatoes grown in a heated greenhouse can have a higher carbon footprint than tomatoes grown outdoors and shipped from Spain. The type of food matters most — local beef still has far higher emissions than imported lentils.
What transport modes does the calculator cover?
Air freight (highest emissions, ~2 kg CO2/kg-km), sea freight (low, ~0.01 kg CO2/kg-km), road truck (medium, ~0.1 kg CO2/kg-km), rail (low, ~0.05 kg CO2/kg-km), and local delivery. The calculator selects likely transport modes based on origin distance and food type.
Does this support metric and imperial?
Yes. Enter weight in kg or lbs — toggle the unit system at the top of the calculator.