FUEL ENERGY CONTENT & CONVERSIONS

The exact values will vary depending on the quality of the fuel and in some cases the pressure.
Propane 1 gallon = 91,500 BTU
1 cubic foot = 2,500 BTU
1 pound = 21,500 BTU
4.24 lbs = 1 gallon
36.39 cubic feet = 1 gallon
Natural Gas 1 cubic foot = 1,050 BTU
Gasoline 1 pound = 19,000 BTU
1 gallon = 125,000 BTU
1 gallon = 6.1 lbs
Oils 1 gallon kerosene = 135,000 BTU
1 gallon #2 oil = 138,500 BTU
1 gallon diesel = 139,200 BTU
1 gallon #6 oil = 153,200 BTU
Other Fuels (dry) 1 lb hydrogen = 51,892 BTU with steam as product
1 lb coal (anthracite) = 12,700 BTU
1 lb coal (subituminous) = 8,800 BTU
1 lb coal (bituminous) = 11,500 BTU
1 lb pine wood bark = 9,200 BTU
1 lb hardwood bark = 8,400 BTU
1 lb wood = 7,870 BTU
1 lb dung = 7,500 BTU
1 lb waste paper = 6,500 BTU
1 lb sawdust/shavings = 3,850 BTU
1 kWH electricity = 3,413 BTU
1 therm any fuel = 100,000 BTU
KBtu Conversions
The below table provides the multiplier to convert a unit of measure to kBtu:

1. Locate the energy source and the applicable unit of measure.

2. Select the conversion multiplier from the right column.
3. Multiply non-kBtu units of energy by multiplier and this converts the energy unit to kBtu equivalent.
4. Remember that 1 BTU = 1055J (Joules)

Energy Source Unit of Measure Multiplier

Chilled Water MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Chilled Water Ton Hours 11.2
Chilled Water Daily Tons 267.8
Chilled Water Gallons 0.0093333
Coal (anthracite) Lbs. (pounds) 12.5008
Coal (anthracite) MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Coal (anthracite) KLbs. (thousand pounds) 11625
Coal (anthracite) MLbs. (million pounds) 11625000
Coal (anthracite) Tons 25001.5
Coal (bituminous) Lbs. (pounds) 12.0007
Coal (bituminous) MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Coal (bituminous) KLbs. (thousand pounds) 11160
Coal (bituminous) MLbs. (million pounds) 11160000
Coal (bituminous) Tons 24001.44
Coke Lbs. (pounds) 12.40007
Coke MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Coke KLbs. (thousand pounds) 11532
Coke MLbs. (million pounds) 11532000
Coke Tons 24801.488
Diesel (No. 2) MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Diesel (No. 2) Gallons 138.1083
Electricity kWh (thousand Watt-hours) 3.412
Electricity MWh (million Watt-hours) 3412
Electricity MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Fuel Oil (No. 1) kBtu/Sq. Ft. 1
Fuel Oil (No. 1) MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Fuel Oil (No. 1) Gallons 134.9999811
Fuel Oil (No. 2) MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Fuel Oil (No. 2) Gallons 139.99998
Fuel Oil (No. 5 & No. 6) MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Fuel Oil (No. 5 & No. 6) Gallons 149.689979
Kerosene MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Kerosene Gallons 134.9838
Liquid Propane MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Liquid Propane kcf (thousand cubic feet) 1000.06
Liquid Propane Gallons 90.0054
Liquid Propane cf (cubic feet) 1.0336235
Natural Gas MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Natural Gas ccf (hundred cubic feet) 100
Natural Gas therms 100
Natural Gas kcf (thousand cubic feet) 1123.9
Natural Gas cf (cubic feet) 1.1239
Natural Gas MCF (million cubic feet) 1123900
Propane MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Propane kcf (thousand cubic feet) 1000.06
Propane Gallons 90.0054
Propane cf (cubic feet) 1.0336235
Steam Lbs. (pounds) 1.0789
Steam MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Steam KLbs. (thousand pounds) 1003.342
Steam MLbs. (million pounds) 1003342
Wood MBtu (million Btu) 1000
Wood Tons 16783.2

Heating Value
Grade Comments
(Btu/US gal)

Fuel Oil No. 1 132900 - 137000 Small Space Heaters

Fuel Oil No. 2 137000 - 141800 Residential Heating

Fuel Oil No. 4 143100 - 148100 Industrial Burners

Fuel Oil No. 5 (Light) 146800 - 150000 Preheating in General Required

Fuel Oil No.5 (Heavy) 149400 - 152000 Heating Required

Fuel Oil No. 6 151300 - 155900 Bunker C