Boat operator screening a fuel plan
Combine charted distance, average SOG and measured burn.
Enter conservative route-specific assumptions plus non-cruise and reserve gallons.
Sees a transparent total target rather than one cruise-fuel number.
Marine Fuel Consumption
Compare an entered route/burn/non-cruise/reserve fuel target with verified usable onboard fuel without certifying range.
Built for Marine Navigation1 documented formulaFocused single-task workflowPrivate in your browser
Use this result well
A quick decision brief for this specific tool
Inputs that matter
Externally charted route distance, conservative average SOG, measured/verified average GPH, entered non-cruise allowance, selected reserve and verified usable onboard fuel
Output to expect
Entered transit time/fuel, use before reserve, total target and fuel gap/surplus
How it works
Reconciles explicit route/burn/allowance/reserve assumptions; it does not certify range, ETA, weather/current, seaworthiness or permission to depart
- Verify current route products, actual vessel burn and usable tank quantity under relevant load/condition/sea state; inspect the fuel system and account for uncertainty.
- Use applicable reserve policy and contingencies, file a float plan, monitor fuel/progress/weather/current/traffic underway, and turn back or seek assistance early.
Choose your path
Built around the job you need to finish
Reconcile entered route/burn/non-cruise/reserve assumptions with usable onboard fuel without certifying range or departure safety.
Skipper checking usable onboard fuel
Compare verified usable fuel with the entered target.
Enter measured usable quantity and inspect gap/surplus.
Does not treat tank capacity or a static surplus as safe range.
Mariner deciding whether to depart or continue
Keep route, forecast, vessel, reserve policy and monitoring above arithmetic.
Use current official products, inspect systems, file a float plan and monitor underway.
Turns back or seeks help early rather than relying on the worksheet.
Authoritative checks for this tool
Outputs and checklists are planning aids. Review the linked current authorities and the records, terms, instructions, and requirements that apply to your exact situation before a consequential decision.
- NOAA Electronic Navigational ChartsNOAA Office of Coast Survey · Official current route-planning data and navigational hazards that a fuel worksheet cannot infer.
- U.S. Coast PilotNOAA Office of Coast Survey · Route, local conditions, regulations and hazards needed for passage planning outside fuel arithmetic.
- National Weather Service Marine ForecastsNOAA National Weather Service · Current marine forecasts, warnings and weather context that can materially change speed, burn, route and safe decisions.
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Reference & details
How it works
Updated August 2026
How it works
Updated August 2026Formula Application & Mathematical Principles
Entered route distance divided by entered average speed over ground gives transit time; multiplying by entered measured/verified average GPH gives transit fuel.
Standard Physical Constants & Reference Data
Entered non-cruise and reserve gallons are added explicitly, then the total target is compared with verified usable fuel on board.
Verification, Precision & Quality Control
The result cannot certify range, route, ETA, forecast, seaworthiness or departure. Current official navigation/weather products and ongoing monitoring remain essential.
Updated: August 2026
Example Scenarios
Combine an externally charted route, conservative average speed over ground and measured vessel burn with separate non-cruise and reserve fuel entries.
Compare the entered planning target with verified usable fuel on board and expose gallons above or below that target without claiming a safe operating range.
Update route, speed, measured burn, non-cruise use, reserve or usable fuel when load, sea state, current, weather or the contingency plan changes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using brochure burn or maximum tank capacity as measured usable fuel
Use representative vessel-specific fuel-burn records and verify usable onboard fuel, excluding unusable tank volume and allowing for measurement uncertainty.
Calling a positive arithmetic balance a safe range or permission to depart
Verify the current route and forecast, choose reserve under applicable rules and operator policy, file and monitor the plan, inspect the fuel system, and reassess conditions underway.
FAQ
Arithmetic is reproducible, but the plan depends on current charted route, actual vessel burn and usable fuel, load/condition, sea state, current, weather and reserve policy.
Transit hours equal route nm divided by average SOG; transit fuel equals hours times entered GPH; non-cruise and reserve gallons are added before comparison with usable onboard fuel.
Yes, 100% free with no hidden fees or registration required. All calculations run instantly in your browser with total data privacy.
Yes, you can copy results to your clipboard, export formatted Markdown summaries, or generate a print-ready report directly from the tool.
Review NOAA ENC, U.S. Coast Pilot and National Weather Service marine sources in the authority panel.
About Marine Fuel Consumption
Reconcile conservative entered route and burn assumptions, non-cruise use, reserve and usable onboard fuel. Treat the output as one planning check—not a range or departure certificate.