How to Calculate Water Footprint
What is Water Footprint?
Water footprint measures total fresh water consumed to produce goods. Meat production (especially beef) has a very high water footprint; plant-based foods are generally much lower.
Formula
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Virtual water = litres of water per kg of product
- 2Total footprint = Σ (daily amount × virtual water/kg)
- 3Beef: ~15,400 L/kg vs lentils: ~900 L/kg
- 4Direct water use (drinking, hygiene) is typically only ~5% of total footprint
Worked Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Water Footprint?
Water footprint measures total fresh water consumed to produce goods. Meat production (especially beef) has a very high water footprint; plant-based foods are generally much lower
How accurate is the Water Footprint calculator?
The calculator uses the standard published formula for water footprint. Results are accurate to the precision of the inputs you provide. For financial, medical, or legal decisions, always verify with a qualified professional.
What units does the Water Footprint calculator use?
This calculator works with kilograms, inches, litres, percentages. You can enter values in the units shown — the calculator handles all conversions internally.
What formula does the Water Footprint calculator use?
The core formula is: Virtual water = litres of water per kg of product. Each step in the calculation is shown so you can verify the result manually.
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