How many calories are in 12 oz of gasoline?

About 2,700 to 2,900 dietary Calories (kcal) are contained in 12 U.S. fluid ounces of gasoline—roughly 2,800 kcal. That estimate comes from standard energy-density figures for gasoline (about 32–34 megajoules per liter) and the fact that 12 fl oz is approximately 0.355 liters. While the number is striking—comparable to or exceeding many people’s daily food energy needs—gasoline is toxic and not a source of nutritional energy for humans.

What “calories” and “12 oz” mean in this context

In everyday nutrition, a “Calorie” (capital C) is a kilocalorie (kcal), equal to 4,184 joules. The “12 oz” in this question refers to U.S. fluid ounces, a measure of volume: 12 fl oz equals about 0.355 liters. Gasoline’s energy content is typically cited per liter or per gallon, so the calculation converts volume to liters and energy to kcal.

Typical energy density of gasoline

Industry and government references commonly place gasoline’s lower heating value around 32–34 megajoules per liter (MJ/L), depending on formulation and temperature. Ethanol blends (such as E10, the most common U.S. pump gasoline) carry slightly less energy, usually about 3% below pure gasoline because ethanol has a lower energy density.

Key conversion factors used

The following conversion factors are used to translate standard fuel energy metrics into dietary Calories for a 12 fl oz volume of gasoline.

• 1 U.S. fluid ounce = 29.5735 milliliters; 12 fl oz ≈ 354.9 mL ≈ 0.355 L
• Gasoline energy density ≈ 32–34 MJ/L (E10 closer to the lower end)
• 1 kilocalorie (kcal) = 4,184 joules (J); 1 MJ = 1,000,000 J
• 1 U.S. gallon = 3.785 L = 128 fl oz; gasoline ≈ 29,000–31,000 kcal per gallon

Taken together, these factors let us convert a small, familiar volume (12 fl oz) into an energy quantity comparable to food Calories.

How the calculation works

Here is the step-by-step approach used to estimate the Calories in 12 fl oz of gasoline.

1. Convert 12 fl oz to liters: 12 × 29.5735 mL = 354.9 mL ≈ 0.355 L.
2. Apply gasoline’s energy density: 0.355 L × (32–34 MJ/L) ≈ 11.4–12.1 MJ.
3. Convert megajoules to kilocalories: (11.4–12.1) MJ ÷ 4.184 ≈ 2,700–2,900 kcal.

Using a widely cited benchmark of about 32 MJ/L yields roughly 2,700 kcal; using 34 MJ/L yields just under 2,900 kcal. For E10 pump gasoline, expect a result toward the lower end of the range.

Context and cautions

While comparing gasoline’s energy to food Calories can be eye-opening—12 fl oz contains energy on the order of a whole day’s diet—gasoline is not metabolizable and is dangerous to ingest or inhale. It is toxic, can cause chemical pneumonitis if aspirated, and poses fire and explosion risks. These figures describe physical energy content, not nutritional value.

Summary

Twelve U.S. fluid ounces of gasoline contain approximately 2,700–2,900 dietary Calories, with a practical midpoint near 2,800 kcal. The exact number varies with formulation (e.g., ethanol content) and temperature, but the estimate holds within a narrow range and highlights gasoline’s extremely high energy density compared with food.

How many calories are in a shot glass of gasoline?

A gallon of gasoline contains 31,000 calories, so since there are 16 cups in a gallon, a cup of gasoline contains a bit less than 2,000 calories.

How many kCal are in a gallon of gasoline?

A gallon of gasoline contains approximately 31,000 food calories (kilocalories), not 31 million. This figure is a measure of the fuel’s chemical energy content, similar to the energy content of food, but gasoline is toxic and cannot be metabolized by the human body. 
Understanding the “Calories” in Gasoline

• What a calorie is: Opens in new tabIn nutrition, a “calorie” (technically a kilocalorie) is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius. 
• How it applies to gasoline: Opens in new tabBecause gasoline is a fuel, it stores chemical energy. When we talk about the energy content of gasoline in terms of calories, we’re referring to the total chemical energy it releases when burned. 

Why This Figure Isn’t For Consumption

• Not a food source: The human body is designed to get energy from the proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in food, which it can digest and metabolize. 
• Toxic substance: Gasoline is a mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons and other chemicals, making it highly toxic. Ingesting it is dangerous and can lead to serious illness or death. 

How much protein is in gasoline?

Gasoline is a refined petroleum product and does not contain protein; the energy it provides comes from its hydrocarbon components, which are not metabolized by the human body as proteins, carbohydrates, or fats. Therefore, you cannot derive any nutritional value or “protein” from consuming or being exposed to gasoline. 
Why Gasoline Has No Protein 

• Hydrocarbon Composition: Gasoline is made up of various hydrocarbons—molecules composed only of hydrogen and carbon atoms. These are the chemical compounds that store chemical energy, which is released when burned in an engine.
• No Nutritional Macros: Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are essential macronutrients found in food that the human body can digest and use for energy and other functions. Gasoline does not contain any of these biological molecules.

Why You Should Not Consume Gasoline

• Toxicity: Opens in new tabGasoline is toxic and can cause serious harm to your health if ingested or if you have extended exposure to its fumes. 
• Lack of Metabolism: Opens in new tabEven if gasoline contained calories, the human body lacks the necessary digestive enzymes to break down its hydrocarbon components into usable energy. 

In summary, the claim that gasoline contains protein is a misunderstanding of its composition and function. It is a fuel source, not a food source.

How many calories are in gasoline?

A gallon of gasoline (about 4 liters) contains about 31,000 calories. If a person could drink gasoline, then a person could ride about 912 miles on a gallon of gas (about 360 km per liter). Considering that a normal car gets about 30 miles per gallon, that’s pretty impressive!