Avgas vs Jet A Cost Comparison Calculator
Compare the running cost of an aircraft burning Avgas with one burning Jet A. See cost per flight hour, cost per nautical mile, annual fuel spend and the break-even fuel price.
Compare Your Fuel Costs
Enter the fuel price, hourly burn and cruise speed for each aircraft, plus how many hours you fly each year. The calculator shows which option costs less to run.
Avgas vs Jet A Comparison
Side-by-side running cost for two aircraft.
Avgas or Jet A?
Key factors behind the cost comparison
Price per Unit
Jet A is often cheaper per gallon or litre than 100LL, but prices differ widely between airfields, so always use your own local figures.
Fuel Burn
A cheaper fuel only saves money if the engine does not burn much more of it. Compare gallons or litres per hour, not just the price.
Engine Costs
Overhaul reserves, maintenance and engine life differ between piston, diesel and turbine engines. Including them gives a truer cost per hour.
Speed and Weight
A faster aircraft covers more miles per hour, lowering cost per nautical mile. Jet A is denser than Avgas, so the same volume weighs more.
Avgas vs Jet A Comparison
A general overview of how the two aviation fuels differ.
| Factor | Avgas (100LL) | Jet A | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel type | Gasoline-type fuel | Kerosene-type fuel | Not interchangeable |
| Typical engines | Spark-ignition piston engines | Turbines and certified diesel piston engines | Follow the flight manual |
| Approx. density | 6.0 lb per US gallon (0.72 kg per litre) | 6.7 lb per US gallon (0.80 kg per litre) | Jet A is heavier by volume |
| Lead content | Contains tetraethyl lead | Lead-free | Lead-free options are being developed |
| Appearance | Dyed blue (100LL) | Clear to straw-coloured | Always verify before fuelling |
| Availability | Common at general aviation airfields | Common at larger airports and FBOs | Varies by region |
Avgas vs Jet A Calculator FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about comparing Avgas and Jet A costs.
Avgas, such as 100LL, is a gasoline-type fuel used in spark-ignition piston engines. Jet A is a kerosene-type fuel used in turbine engines and in certified aircraft diesel engines. They are not interchangeable, and each aircraft must only use the fuel approved in its flight manual.
Often, but not always. Jet A is frequently cheaper per gallon or litre than 100LL, and diesel piston engines can burn less fuel per hour. Prices vary by airfield and region, so enter your own local prices into the calculator.
Multiply the fuel price per unit by the fuel burn per hour, then add any per-hour reserve you set aside, such as for engine overhaul. Dividing that by cruise speed gives the cost per nautical mile.
It is the Jet A price at which the Jet A aircraft costs exactly the same per flight hour as the Avgas aircraft. If the real Jet A price is below this figure, the Jet A option is cheaper on running cost per hour.
Only if the aircraft and engine are specifically approved for that fuel in the flight manual. Using the wrong fuel can cause serious engine damage or an accident. This calculator is for cost comparison only and is not operational guidance.