Carnot Efficiency Calculator

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Calculates the maximum theoretical efficiency of a heat engine operating between two temperatures.

How To Use

How to use this calculator

Start with your values, or try a preset.

Step 1

Enter Hot Reservoir Temperature (Kelvin) and Cold Reservoir Temperature (Kelvin) in the units shown.

Step 2

Read Carnot Efficiency and Carnot Efficiency (%) in the results panel. Results update as you change the inputs.

Step 3

Choose a preset to load an example, then adjust the values for your situation.

Worked Examples

See the inputs and their calculated results.

Hot Reservoir Temperature (Kelvin): 600 K; Cold Reservoir Temperature (Kelvin): 300 K

Carnot Efficiency: 0.5; Carnot Efficiency (%): 50 %

Hot Reservoir Temperature (Kelvin): 1,000 K; Cold Reservoir Temperature (Kelvin): 400 K

Carnot Efficiency: 0.6; Carnot Efficiency (%): 60 %

Hot Reservoir Temperature (Kelvin): 800 K; Cold Reservoir Temperature (Kelvin): 273 K

Carnot Efficiency: 0.65875; Carnot Efficiency (%): 65.875 %

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