The density of jet fuel is 0.78-0.84 g/ml at 59°F, translating to 6.47-7.01 pounds per gallon. For example, a Boeing 800 has a fuel capacity of 6,875 gallons, which weighs about 44,481-48,194 pounds.
But if you don’t feel like calculating and would rather just get the conversion values from some charts, you’ve come to the right place.
We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled the most common conversion numbers into this post!
Contents show
What is Jet Fuel?
Jet fuel is a carefully refined, kerosene-based fuel used in aviation turbine engines. This colorless liquid is produced from crude oil in a petroleum refinery. After the refining process, jet fuel is mixed with a very small quantity of additives.
The two main types of jet fuel are labeled Jet A and Jet A1, and each has its own set of manufacturing specifications.
While Jet A1 is the most common jet fuel used globally, Jet A is the predominant jet fuel used in the United States.
What’s the difference between them?
Although the difference between these types of jet fuels is minimal, they are definitely not the same.
For example, Jet A1 has a lower freezing point than Jet A. Because of this, the former is more suitable for long, international flights, especially over polar areas.
Also, Jet A1 consists of some static dissipater additives intended to reduce the static charges generated by the motion of the fuel in the tank.
Since the energy density and flash point of Jet A and Jet A1 fuels are almost identical, they can be used interchangeably in most cases.
Besides these most common types of jet fuels, the lesser-known Jet B is also available in some areas. This fuel is formulated for extremely cold climates, so it consists of about 70% gasoline and 30% kerosene, which ensures a freezing point of -76°F.
The major drawback of Jet B fuel is that it’s extremely flammable, which makes it difficult to store and handle. So, it’s no surprise that this type of jet fuel is only used for special purposes and is available on a limited basis
Since the weight of fuel is important for flight load calculations, jet fuels are typically sold by the pound rather than by the gallon.
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and talk about the standard weight of jet fuels!
What is the Weight Density of Jet Fuel?
According to the specifications of the ASTM D1655 (2004), the density of Jet A and Jet A1 grade jet fuels must fall into the range of 0.775 g/ml to 0.840 g/ml at 59°F (15°C), which is equal of 775 kg/m3 to 840 kg/m3.
(Source: BioResources, ASTM International: formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials)
Jet A1 fuel is slightly denser than the Jet A grade fuel, but the difference is not significant.
What is the Standard Weight for Jet Fuel in Gallons?
As a rule of thumb, one US gallon of jet fuel weighs about 6.47-7.01 pounds at 59°F. Reversing the calculation tells us that one pound of jet fuel is equal to about 0.143-0.155 US gallons.
The majority of commercial aircraft can carry about 5,000-100,000 US gallons of fuel which translates to an approximate weight of 30,000-700,000 pounds.
Jet Fuel Weight Conversion Charts
Jet Fuel Pound-Per-Gallon Chart
For your convenience, we’ve done the math and listed the most common conversion numbers at 59°F into this jet fuel weight-per-gallon chart:
| Volume (US Gal.) | Weight (lbs) |
| 1 | 6.5-7.0 |
| 2 | 12.9-14.0 |
| 3 | 19.4-21.0 |
| 4 | 25.9-28.0 |
| 5 | 32.4-35.1 |
| 6 | 38.8-42.1 |
| 7 | 45.3-49.1 |
| 8 | 51.8-56.1 |
| 9 | 58.2-63.1 |
| 10 | 64.7-70.1 |
| 50 | 324-351 |
| 100 | 647-701 |
| 200 | 1,294-1,402 |
| 300 | 1,941-2,103 |
| 330 | 2,135-2,313 |
| 400 | 2,588-2,804 |
| 500 | 3,235-3,505 |
| 1000 | 6,470-7,010 |
| 2000 | 12,940-14,020 |
| 3000 | 19,410-21,030 |
| 4000 | 25,880-28,040 |
| 5000 | 32,350-35,050 |
| 6000 | 38,820-42,060 |
| 7000 | 45,290-49,070 |
| 8000 | 51,760-56,080 |
| 9000 | 58,230-63,090 |
| 10000 | 64,700-70,100 |
| 15000 | 97,050-105,150 |
| 20000 | 129,400-140,200 |
| 25000 | 161,750-175,250 |
| 30000 | 194,100-210,300 |
| 35000 | 226,450-245,350 |
| 40000 | 258,800-280,400 |
| 45000 | 291,150-315,450 |
| 50000 | 323,500-350,500 |
| 60000 | 388,200-420,600 |
| 70000 | 452,900-490,700 |
| 80000 | 517,600-560,800 |
| 90000 | 582,300-630,900 |
| 100000 | 647,000-701,000 |
Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only! The weight of jet fuel varies depending on many factors like its components and temperature.
Jet Fuel Gallon-Per-Pound Chart
Since jet fuels are typically sold by the number of pounds, it makes sense to convert the numbers to get how many gallons of jet fuel is the volume per pound.
| Weight (lbs) | Volume (US Gal.) |
| 10 | 1.4-1.5 |
| 100 | 14.3-15.5 |
| 200 | 28.5-30.9 |
| 300 | 42.8-46.4 |
| 400 | 57.1-61.8 |
| 500 | 71.3-77.3 |
| 600 | 85.6-92.7 |
| 700 | 99.9-108.2 |
| 800 | 114.1-123.6 |
| 900 | 128.4-139.1 |
| 1,000 | 142.7-154.6 |
| 2,000 | 285.3-309.1 |
| 3,000 | 428.0-463.7 |
| 4,000 | 570.6-618.2 |
| 5,000 | 713.3-772.8 |
| 6,000 | 855.9-927.4 |
| 7,000 | 998.6-1082 |
| 8,000 | 1,141-1,237 |
| 9,000 | 1,284-1,391 |
| 10,000 | 1,427-1,546 |
| 20,000 | 2,853-3,091 |
| 30,000 | 4,280-4,637 |
| 40,000 | 5,706-6,182 |
| 50,000 | 7,133-7,728 |
| 60,000 | 8,559-9,274 |
| 70,000 | 9,986-10,819 |
| 80,000 | 11,412-12,365 |
| 90,000 | 12,839-13,910 |
| 100,000 | 14,265-15,456 |
| 200,000 | 28,531-30,912 |
| 300,000 | 42,796-46,368 |
| 400,000 | 57,061-61,824 |
| 500,000 | 71,327-77,280 |
| 600,000 | 85,592-92,736 |
| 700,000 | 99,857-10,8192 |
| 800,000 | 114,128-123,648 |
| 900,000 | 128,388-139,104 |
| 1,000,000 | 142,653-154,560 |
Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only! The weight of jet fuel varies depending on many factors like its components and temperature.
Takeaways – FAQs about Jet Fuel Weight
As a takeaway, we’ve answered the most common questions on the topic.
What’s the difference between Jet A and Jet A1 fuels?
Jet A1 is the most commonly used fuel to power jet aircraft, and the standard fuel grade for international aviation. This type of jet fuel has a lower freezing point and features some static dissipater additives.
In contrast, Jet A is primarily used in the United States for domestic aviation.
Since the formulation of A and A1 jet fuel are very similar, they can be used interchangeably in many planes. However, each of these fuels has its own manufacturing specification.
What is the specific gravity of jet fuels?
The specific gravity of jet A and A1 jet fuel is about 0.78-0.84 at 59°F.
What is the density of jet fuels?
The density of jet A and Jet A1 fuels is 0.78-0.84 g/ml, or 774-840 kg/m3 at 59°F.
Is jet fuel heavier than gasoline?
Yes, jet fuel is a little heavier than gasoline since the latter has a density of 0.71-0.78 g/ml, while the density of A and A1 jet fuels is about 0.78-0.84 g/ml.
Is jet fuel heavier than diesel?
No, jet fuels are slightly lighter than diesel fuels. For example, the most common #2 diesel fuel has a density of 0.85 g/ml, which is just above the density of jet fuels (0.78-0.84 g/ml).
References:
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