Track the Carbon Footprint of your AI Usage
AI Impact Calculator helps developers, businesses, and everyday users measure the energy and water consumption of ChatGPT, Claude, and LLM workflows.
Select the LLM/AI you use most (GPT-4, Claude, or Image Generators).
Input your weekly activities like emails, chat sessions, or coding.
Visualize the energy, carbon, and water usage of your workflow.
How much AI do you use?
Most users don't know their "token count". That's okay! Use the "Estimate by Habits" tab below to calculate usage based on your daily tasks.
Usage Parameters
Configure your model and volume
Quick Chat Questions
Simple questions like "Ideas for dinner" or "Explain quantum physics"
Emails Drafted
Writing or replying to emails using AI
AI Search Queries
Using Perplexity, Bing Chat, or SearchGPT
Document Analysis
Pasting a PDF or article to summarize
Coding/Work Session (1hr)
Using AI for programming or complex excel tasks
AI Usage Facts
⚖️ Perspective Scale
Understand your footprint by comparing it to everyday activities.
of standard definition streaming.
in an average gas vehicle.
standard professional emails.
of continuous light (9W bulb).
Did you know? Your weekly usage consumes the same energy as fully charging 1 smartphones.
Why Calculation Matters
Every time you ask an AI a question, it runs on powerful GPUs that consume significant electricity and water.
Energy Intensity
Creating one AI response often uses 10-100x more electricity than a standard Google search.
Water Consumption
Data centers drink water to stay cool. A short conversation with a chatbot can "consume" a 500ml water bottle.
Carbon Emissions
Depending on the local power grid (coal vs. wind), this energy usage translates directly into real-world CO2 emissions.
Key Estimations for 2026
- 📊1 GPT-4 Query~0.003 - 0.01 kWh of energy
- 🎨1 Generated ImageEquivalent to fully charging a smartphone
- 🏭Training GPT-450,000+ tons of CO2e (lifetime of 100 cars)
"The AI Impact Calculator makes the invisible cost of compute visible, helping developers and businesses avoid sleepwalking into a high-carbon future."
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