natural gas
gas gasDESNZ 2025 'Natural gas' (UK grid mix). The per-m³ heating values are DERIVED from DESNZ's verbatim density and gravimetric CV (marked in each entry's notes), because DESNZ's volumetric cell is rounded to 0.01 kWh/L. IPCC 2006 Natural Gas NCV 48.0 MJ/kg, CO2 56,100 kg/TJ. EIA US: 1,036 Btu/scf, 54.81 kg CO2/Mcf. LNG, CNG and pure methane are separate entries.
- Natural gas m³→energy is NOT an exact identity. The reference temperature and pressure (normal m³ at 0 °C vs standard m³ at 15/25 °C) are NOT stated by the source, and real energy content varies by field, network and time.
- This is NOT how a gas bill is calculated: billing uses your supplier's local calorific value (Brennwert) and a state-correction number (Zustandszahl) that maps your meter's operating-condition m³ to reference energy. Do not use this result for billing disputes.
Density
0.802 kg/m³
at gas phase; reference T/P NOT stated by DESNZ (see warning)
Heating values
LHV/NCV
- 45.745 MJ/kg
- 10.191 kWh/m³
HHV/GCV
- 50.678 MJ/kg
- 11.290 kWh/m³
Emission factors
| Metric | Value | Scope | Region / year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO2 | 2.0627 kg co2 per m3 | direct combustion | UK · 2025 | |
| CO2e | 2.06672 kg co2e per m3 | direct combustion | UK · 2025 |
CO₂ ≠ CO₂e — separate metrics, never converted into one another. Why? →
Worked example
Open in converter →Converting
1 m³ · natural gas
Energy
Same energy expressed in other units.
9.4–11.0 MJ
source-based
9.4–11.0 kWh
source-based
9.4–11.0 GJ
source-based
9.4–11.0 BTU
source-based
10.3–12.0 MJ
source-based
10.3–12.0 kWh
source-based
10.3–12.0 GJ
source-based
10.3–12.0 BTU
source-based
Mass
0.802 kg
source-based
Volume
1,000,000 mL
exact
1,000 L
exact
1 m³
exact
264.172 US gal
exact
219.969 imp gal
exact
6.28981 bbl
exact
Emissions
CO₂ and CO₂e are separate — never derived from each other.
~2.06 kg CO2
region + year
~2.07 kg CO2e
region + year
Energy density
Energy per unit of mass or volume.
45.74 MJ/kg
source-based
10.19 kWh/m³
source-based
Assumptions
- density: assumed natural gas density 0.802 kg/m³ at gas phase; reference T/P NOT stated by DESNZ (see warning)
- heating value basis: energy on LHV/NCV basis, 10.191 kWh/m³
- heating value basis: energy on HHV/GCV basis, 11.290 kWh/m³
Sources
Follow each source back to its primary document — that traceability is the point. How conversions work →
Sources
Learn more
HHV/GCV vs LHV/NCV Higher heating value counts the heat of condensing water vapour; lower heating value does not. The gap can be 5–20%.Natural gas: m³ to kWh Converting a cubic metre of gas to energy is never exact — it depends on composition and reference conditions.Why fuel conversions are approximate Density, calorific value and emission factors are material properties that vary — so fuel results are sourced estimates, not constants.