Live estimate
United States CO₂ Emissions
The United States emitted 4.90 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024: 12.7% of the world total, the 2nd most of 215 countries. That is 14.2 tonnes per person, 3.0× the world average of 4.7 t.
Estimated CO₂ emitted by the United States in 2026 so far
0
0 tonnes since you opened this page · 156 t every second
CO₂ in 2024
4.90 Gt
4.90 billion tonnes
World rank
#2
of 215 countries
Share of world
12.7%
world total 38.60 Gt
Per person
14.2 t
world average 4.7 t
Change vs 2023
-0.3%
2023: 4.92 Gt
Historical share
23.5%
#1 since 1750
Trend since 2000
Emissions were roughly flat in 2024 (-0.3% on 2023). Emissions peaked in 2005 at 6.13 billion tonnes and are now 20% lower.
Show yearly data (million tonnes)
| Year | CO₂ (Mt) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 4,904.1 |
| 2023 | 4,918.4 |
| 2022 | 5,055.4 |
| 2021 | 5,020.1 |
| 2020 | 4,690.0 |
| 2019 | 5,235.9 |
| 2018 | 5,361.2 |
| 2017 | 5,195.4 |
| 2016 | 5,245.4 |
| 2015 | 5,368.5 |
| 2014 | 5,531.4 |
| 2013 | 5,473.4 |
| 2012 | 5,331.5 |
| 2011 | 5,539.0 |
| 2010 | 5,669.2 |
| 2009 | 5,486.1 |
| 2008 | 5,919.2 |
| 2007 | 6,121.5 |
| 2006 | 6,045.3 |
| 2005 | 6,126.9 |
| 2004 | 6,111.5 |
| 2003 | 6,006.4 |
| 2002 | 5,947.8 |
| 2001 | 5,903.6 |
| 2000 | 6,023.2 |
Where it comes from
Oil is the largest source of the United States’ CO₂, at 45%.
- Coal15%732.9 Mt
- Oil45%2.19 Gt
- Gas36%1.75 Gt
- Cement1%37.3 Mt
- Flaring1%61.3 Mt
- Other industry3%135.3 Mt
How the United States compares
Questions and answers
How much CO₂ does the United States emit?
The United States emitted 4.90 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 12.7% of global emissions. That is about 156 tonnes every second.
What are the United States’ CO₂ emissions per person?
The United States emits 14.2 tonnes per person, 3.0× the world average of 4.7 t. Per-person emissions divide the national total by population (345.4 million people in 2024).
Are the United States’ CO₂ emissions rising or falling?
Emissions were roughly flat in 2024 (-0.3% on 2023). Emissions peaked in 2005 at 6.13 billion tonnes and are now 20% lower.
What is the main source of CO₂ emissions in the United States?
Oil is the largest source, at 45% of the United States’ fossil and industry CO₂ in 2024 (2.19 billion tonnes).
How much has the United States contributed to historical CO₂ emissions?
Since 1750, the United States has emitted about 435 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂, 23.5% of the world total, the largest historical contribution of any country.
Data: Our World in Data, based on the Global Carbon Project (Global Carbon Budget 2025), CC BY 4.0. Annual figures are fossil-fuel and industry CO₂ for 2024, the latest complete year. Live counters are estimates that assume 2024 emission rates continue. How the counter works →