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  2. Coalbed Methane Outreach Program

Updated Coal Mine Methane Units Converter

Updated September 2023 

This tool converts methane (CH4) emissions to metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent (MTCO2e) and a variety of other measurement units and greenhouse gas (GHG) equivalencies.  These abstract equivalencies are also translated into relatable terms, such as annual emissions from cars or households. 

The latest update to this tool incorporates a global warming potential (GWP) value of 28 for methane. Learn more about GWPs and explore additional GHG equivalencies using EPA's Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.

How to Use this Tool

More CMOP Tools

CMOP invites you to visit our Tools and Resources Library to explore resources by project phase and coal mine methane sources.

First, select the appropriate unit based on the value you wish to convert. Enter your value and press Tab or Enter to generate the answer(s).

Convert basic units:

  • Units Conversion

Convert methane (CH4) amounts to other units and express GHG equivalencies when:

  • Methane is measured in cubic meters (m3 CH4)
  • Methane is measured in cubic feet (ft3 CH4)
  • Methane is measured in pounds (lbs CH4)
  • Methane is measured in kilograms (kg CH4)
  • Methane is measured in metric tons (tonnes CH4)
  • Methane is measured in short tons (tons CH4)

Convert units of energy to other units and express GHG equivalencies when:

  • Energy is measured in British thermal units (Btu)
  • Energy is measured in megajoules (MJ) 

Calculations for conversions are approximate and should not be used for emission inventories or formal carbon emissions analysis. 


Units Conversion

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Methane Measured in Cubic Meters

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Equivalent to:








=

Equivalent to CO2 emissions from:

information icon for Homes' energy use for 1 year

Equivalent to GHG emissions from either one of the following:

information icon for Gasoline-powered cars driven for 1 year
information icon for Miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle

Equivalent to the carbon sequestered by:

information icon for Tree seedlings grown for 10 years


Methane Measured in Cubic Feet

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Equivalent to:








=

Equivalent to CO2 emissions from:

information icon for Homes' energy use for 1 year

Equivalent to GHG emissions from either one of the following:

information icon for Gasoline-powered cars driven for 1 year
information icon for Miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle

Equivalent to the carbon sequestered by:

information icon for Tree seedlings grown for 10 years


Methane Measured in Pounds

=

Equivalent to:







Equivalent to CO2 emissions from:

information icon for Homes' energy use for 1 year

Equivalent to GHG emissions from either one of the following:

information icon for Gasoline-powered cars driven for 1 year
information icon for  Miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle

Equivalent to the carbon sequestered by:

information icon for Tree seedlings grown for 10 years


Methane Measured in Kilograms

=

Equivalent to:







Equivalent to CO2 emissions from:

information icon for Homes' energy use for 1 year

Equivalent to GHG emissions from either one of the following:

information icon for Gasoline-powered cars driven for 1 year
information icon for Miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle

Equivalent to the carbon sequestered by:

information icon for Tree seedlings grown for 10 years


Methane Measured in Metric Tons

=

Equivalent to:








Equivalent to CO2 emissions from:

information icon for Homes' energy use for 1 year

Equivalent to GHG emissions from either one of the following:

information icon for Gasoline-powered cars driven for 1 year
information icon for Miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle

Equivalent to the carbon sequestered by:

information icon for Tree seedlings grown for 10 years


Methane Measured in Short Tons

=

Equivalent to:







Equivalent to CO2 emissions from:

information icon for Homes' energy use for 1 year

Equivalent to GHG emissions from either one of the following:

information icon for Gasoline-powered cars driven for 1 year
information icon for Miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle

Equivalent to the carbon sequestered by:

information icon for Tree seedlings grown for 10 years


Energy Measured in Btu

=

Equivalent to:








=

Equivalent to CO2 emissions from:

information icon for Homes' energy use for 1 year

Equivalent to GHG emissions from either one of the following:

information icon for Gasoline-powered cars driven for 1 year
information icon for Miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle

Equivalent to the carbon sequestered by:

information icon for Tree seedlings grown for 10 years


Energy Measured in Megajoules

=

Equivalent to:







Equivalent to CO2 emissions from:

information icon for Homes' energy use for 1 year

Equivalent to GHG emissions from either one of the following:

information icon for Gasoline-powered cars driven for 1 year
information icon for Miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle

Equivalent to the carbon sequestered by:

information icon for Tree seedlings grown for 10 years

Coalbed Methane Outreach Program

  • About Coal Mine Methane (CMM)
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Contact Us About the Coalbed Methane Outreach Program
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on March 19, 2025
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