Aviation Fuel Required Calculator
Calculate trip fuel from flight time, burn rate and reserve.
What this tool calculates
Calculate trip fuel from flight time, burn rate and reserve. The main inputs on this page are Flight time (hours), Fuel burn (litres/hour), Reserve time (minutes). The result is intended to be readable immediately, with the explanation below available when you need to verify the method.
Method and calculation basis
Required fuel is fuel-burn rate × planned time, with any taxi, reserve, contingency or legally required fuel added separately according to the applicable operation and aircraft documentation.
Worked examples
Training cross-check
Compare a known example with the POH/AFM or training material before using new inputs.
Units
Knots with nautical miles gives time in hours; mixing statute miles and knots produces the wrong result.
Understanding the result
The output should be read in the units shown beside the result. If you are comparing alternatives, keep all unchanged assumptions identical and alter one input at a time. That makes it easier to see which value is responsible for the difference.
Assumptions, edge cases and accuracy
Planning/training aid only. Do not use a generic web result as the sole basis for flight operations. Use the aircraft POH/AFM, approved performance data, current weather, charts, NOTAMs and applicable operational rules.
Sources and methodology
- UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) — Flight planning, safety and operational guidance
- Aircraft POH/AFM — Aircraft-specific limitations and approved performance data
Method reviewed for Instant Solvers V10.0 · October 2026. If you find a calculation or explanation that needs correcting, use the site Contact page and include the tool URL and the values you entered.