Aviation Training Experts

Aviation Training Experts™

Fuel On Board Calculator

Calculate total fuel on board and usable fuel using tank quantities and unusable fuel. This free aviation calculator helps pilots verify available fuel for flight planning.

Calculate Fuel On Board

Enter the fuel quantity in each tank and any unusable fuel to calculate total fuel on board and usable fuel.

Fuel On Board Calculator

How It Works

Total Fuel On Board:
Left Tank + Right Tank + Aux Tank
Usable Fuel:
Total Fuel On Board − Unusable Fuel
Planning Note:
Always verify tank quantity and approved unusable fuel values from the aircraft documentation and actual fuel checks.

This calculator is a planning aid and does not replace approved fuel measurement procedures.

What Is Fuel On Board?

Fuel on board is the total amount of fuel currently in the aircraft tanks. Pilots often distinguish between total fuel on board and usable fuel, because not all fuel in the system may be approved or available for normal flight use.

Calculating fuel on board helps support fuel planning, endurance calculations, and preflight verification of available fuel.

Why Pilots Use a Fuel On Board Calculator

Fuel On Board FAQ

What is the difference between total fuel and usable fuel?

Total fuel is all fuel physically in the tanks. Usable fuel is the portion approved and available for normal flight use.

Why does unusable fuel matter?

Unusable fuel is not counted as available flight fuel, so it must be excluded when calculating usable fuel for planning.

Can I leave auxiliary fuel blank?

Yes. If the aircraft does not have auxiliary tanks or they are not being used, leave that field blank and the calculator will treat it as zero.

Does this replace dipping tanks or visual fuel checks?

No. This calculator is a planning aid. Pilots should always verify actual fuel quantity using approved aircraft procedures and real-world fuel checks.