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Air Fuel Ratio Calculator

Easily calculate the air-fuel ratio (AFR) of diesel or petrol engines and boilers with our simple Air Fuel Ratio Calculator. Learn formulas, ideal ratios, and more.

Understanding the air-fuel ratio (AFR) is essential for optimizing engine performance, improving fuel efficiency, and reducing emissions. Whether you're working with a diesel engine, a petrol engine, or a boiler system, the air-fuel ratio tells you how much air is mixed with fuel during combustion.

To make it easy for anyone to calculate this, we’ve developed an Air Fuel Ratio Calculator that simplifies the process. With just a few inputs, you’ll instantly know whether your mixture is lean, rich, or stoichiometric.

Let’s explore what the air-fuel ratio means, how to calculate it, and how to use our calculator.

What is Air Fuel Ratio?

The Air Fuel Ratio (AFR) is the ratio of air to fuel present during combustion in an engine or boiler. It is typically measured by weight. A perfect or stoichiometric ratio ensures that all the fuel burns completely using all the available oxygen in the air.

  • For petrol engines, the ideal AFR is around 14.7:1 (14.7 parts air to 1 part fuel).
  • For diesel engines, the ratio is typically 18:1 to 70:1, depending on the engine design and load.
  • For boilers, it depends on the type of fuel but usually ranges from 10:1 to 20:1.

How to Use the Air Fuel Ratio Calculator

To calculate the AFR using our calculator, you’ll need:

  • The mass of air (in kg or grams)
  • The mass of fuel (in kg or grams)

Once you enter these values into the calculator, it will give you the AFR result.

Formula to Calculate Air Fuel Ratio

Here’s the basic formula used in our calculator:

Air Fuel Ratio (AFR) = Mass of Air / Mass of Fuel

For example:

  • If the mass of air is 29.4 kg and the mass of fuel is 2 kg: AFR = 29.4 / 2 = 14.7

That means you have a stoichiometric mixture for a petrol engine.

Ideal Air Fuel Ratios by Type

Engine/Boiler TypeIdeal AFR Range
Petrol (Gasoline) Engine14.7:1
Diesel Engine (Idle/Light Load)18:1 to 40:1
Diesel Engine (Full Load)14.5:1 to 18:1
Natural Gas Boiler10:1 to 12:1
Heavy Oil Boiler14:1 to 16:1
Biomass Boiler6:1 to 12:1

Is the Mixture Rich or Lean?

  • Rich mixture means more fuel, less air. For example, 12.5 AFR is rich.
  • Lean mixture means more air, less fuel. For example, 14.7 AFR is lean for diesel but stoichiometric for petrol.

Use the following guide:

AFR ValueMixture Type
< 14.7Rich
= 14.7Stoichiometric (Petrol)
> 14.7Lean

Note: Diesel engines often run lean by design, especially at idle.

Air Fuel Ratio Calculation for Diesel Engine

Diesel engines operate differently from petrol engines. They often run with excess air, especially when not under heavy load. Here's an example:

If a diesel engine uses 200 kg of air and 10 kg of diesel fuel:

AFR = 200 / 10 = 20:1

This is a lean mixture, common for efficient combustion in diesel engines.

Air Fuel Ratio Calculation for Boiler

For a natural gas boiler, if you're using 100 kg of air and 10 kg of fuel:

AFR = 100 / 10 = 10:1

This is within the ideal range for complete combustion.

Final Verdict

Knowing your air-fuel ratio is essential for engine tuning, combustion control, and fuel efficiency. A rich mixture may give more power but wastes fuel and causes pollution. A lean mixture may save fuel but lead to engine knocking or incomplete combustion.

With our Air Fuel Ratio Calculator, you don’t need to worry about complex math or guesswork. Just input your air and fuel values, and the tool does the rest.

Whether you're a mechanic, engineer, student, or enthusiast, this calculator is the simplest way to monitor your AFR.

FAQs

What is the correct air fuel ratio?

For petrol engines, 14.7:1 is ideal. For diesel, it ranges from 18:1 to 70:1 depending on the load.

How to calculate air fuel ratio?

Use the formula: AFR = Mass of Air / Mass of Fuel.

Is 14.7 AFR rich or lean?

It's stoichiometric for petrol engines, but lean for diesel engines.

Is 12.5 AFR rich or lean?

12.5 AFR is rich for petrol engines and extremely rich for diesel.

Can I use this calculator for a boiler?

Yes, the same formula applies for boilers, just input the air and fuel mass correctly.