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Chemistry

Stoichiometric air-fuel ratio calculator

Theoretical air-to-fuel mass ratio for complete combustion of a CxHy hydrocarbon.

What this calculator does

Stoichiometric air-fuel ratio works out theoretical air-to-fuel mass ratio for complete combustion of a CxHy hydrocarbon. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.

The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.

The formula

FormulaCαHβ + a(O2+3.76N2) → bCO2 + cH2O + dN2, a = α+β/4; AFR = a×(1×32+3.76×28.02) / (12.011α+1.008β)

The inputs explained

FieldWhat to enter
Carbon atoms (α)A number. Starts at 8.
Hydrogen atoms (β)A number. Starts at 18.

Worked examples

Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.

How the answer changes with carbon atoms (α)

Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while carbon atoms (α) varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.

How the answer changes with carbon atoms (α)
Carbon atoms (α)Stoichiometric AFR (mass basis)Oxygen required (a)Air required (molar)
417.636 : 18.500 mol40.460 mol
615.985 : 110.500 mol49.980 mol
815.028 : 112.500 mol59.500 mol
1213.964 : 116.500 mol78.540 mol
1613.386 : 120.500 mol97.580 mol
2412.774 : 128.500 mol135.660 mol