Free Carnot Efficiency Calculator

Calculate the maximum possible efficiency of a heat engine using Carnot efficiency: eta = 1 - Tc/Th.

K
K

Carnot Efficiency

0.5000

Efficiency (%)50.00 %

Carnot Efficiency vs Hot Reservoir Temperature

Carnot Efficiency

The Carnot efficiency is the theoretical maximum efficiency any heat engine can achieve operating between two temperatures.

Formula

eta = 1 - T_cold / T_hot

Temperatures must be in Kelvin. No real engine can exceed this efficiency due to the second law of thermodynamics.

Example Calculation

A heat engine operating between 600 K and 300 K.

  1. 01eta = 1 - Tc/Th
  2. 02eta = 1 - 300/600
  3. 03eta = 1 - 0.5
  4. 04eta = 0.5 = 50%

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