Nitrous oxide emissions in United States
United States: Nitrous oxide emissions was 239.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
239.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
down 0.1%
World rank
3rd
of 201 countries
All-time high
305.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1976
All-time low
31.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Nitrous oxide emissions in United States, 1850–2024
Source: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
Analysis
The most recent figure for nitrous oxide emissions in United States is 239.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 0.1% on the previous year and down 5.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, nitrous oxide emissions in United States peaked at 305.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1976 and was at its lowest, 31.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
That places United States 3rd out of 201 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Nitrous oxide emissions in United States, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 31.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 32.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1852 | 32.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1853 | 33.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1854 | 33.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1855 | 34.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1856 | 34.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1857 | 35.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1858 | 35.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1859 | 35.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1860 | 35.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1861 | 35.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1862 | 36.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1863 | 36.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1864 | 36.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1865 | 36.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1866 | 36.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1867 | 36.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1868 | 37.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1869 | 37.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1870 | 37.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1871 | 37.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1872 | 38.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1873 | 40.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 1874 | 42.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.5% |
| 1875 | 44.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.7% |
| 1876 | 46.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.6% |
| 1877 | 48.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.2% |
| 1878 | 49.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1879 | 51.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1880 | 52.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1881 | 52.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1882 | 53.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1883 | 53.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1884 | 53.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1885 | 54.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1886 | 54.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1887 | 54.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1888 | 55.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1889 | 55.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1890 | 57.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1891 | 58.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1892 | 58.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1893 | 59.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1894 | 60.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1895 | 60.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1896 | 61.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1897 | 61.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1898 | 62.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1899 | 63.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1900 | 63.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1901 | 64.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1902 | 65.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1903 | 66.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1904 | 66.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1905 | 67.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1906 | 68.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1907 | 69.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1908 | 70.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1909 | 71.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1910 | 71.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1911 | 72.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1912 | 73.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1913 | 74.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1914 | 75.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1915 | 76.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1916 | 77.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1917 | 78.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1918 | 78.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1919 | 79.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1920 | 79.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1921 | 80.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1922 | 80.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
| 1923 | 79.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 1924 | 79.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 1925 | 79.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 1926 | 78.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1927 | 78.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 1928 | 78.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1929 | 78.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 1930 | 78.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1931 | 78.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1932 | 78.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1933 | 79.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1934 | 80.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1935 | 80.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1936 | 81.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1937 | 82.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1938 | 83.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1939 | 84.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1940 | 85.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1941 | 87.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1942 | 92.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.4% |
| 1943 | 98.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.1% |
| 1944 | 106.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.9% |
| 1945 | 115.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.9% |
| 1946 | 123.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.5% |
| 1947 | 131.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.6% |
| 1948 | 138.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.4% |
| 1949 | 144.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 1950 | 147.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1951 | 149.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1952 | 152.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1953 | 156.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1954 | 160.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1955 | 165.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1956 | 169.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1957 | 174.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1958 | 180.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1959 | 185.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1960 | 191.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1961 | 201.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.6% |
| 1962 | 211.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 1963 | 223.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.7% |
| 1964 | 234.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.7% |
| 1965 | 246.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.3% |
| 1966 | 257.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.5% |
| 1967 | 270.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 1968 | 278.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1969 | 285.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1970 | 277.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.8% |
| 1971 | 280.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1972 | 285.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1973 | 296.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1974 | 289.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 1975 | 290.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1976 | 305.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.0% |
| 1977 | 300.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.5% |
| 1978 | 301.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1979 | 299.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.8% |
| 1980 | 286.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.3% |
| 1981 | 283.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.2% |
| 1982 | 267.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.6% |
| 1983 | 271.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1984 | 275.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1985 | 268.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.4% |
| 1986 | 262.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.2% |
| 1987 | 260.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.0% |
| 1988 | 257.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.0% |
| 1989 | 259.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1990 | 250.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.3% |
| 1991 | 247.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.4% |
| 1992 | 254.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1993 | 257.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1994 | 266.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1995 | 266.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
| 1996 | 273.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1997 | 272.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1998 | 270.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1999 | 268.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 2000 | 268.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 2001 | 261.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.6% |
| 2002 | 257.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.5% |
| 2003 | 263.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 2004 | 263.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 261.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.6% |
| 2006 | 265.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 2007 | 266.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 254.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.4% |
| 2009 | 250.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.8% |
| 2010 | 256.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 2011 | 255.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 249.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.4% |
| 2013 | 254.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 2014 | 252.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 2015 | 249.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.1% |
| 2016 | 251.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 2017 | 247.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.6% |
| 2018 | 249.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 244.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.9% |
| 2020 | 241.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.3% |
| 2021 | 244.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 2022 | 241.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.4% |
| 2023 | 239.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 239.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 239.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 93.7× the median. (67 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 33.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 31.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 35.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 36.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 35.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 37.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 43.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 37.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 51.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 53.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 52.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 55.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 60.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 57.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 63.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 67.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 63.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 71.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 75.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 71.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 79.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 79.27 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 78.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 80.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 80.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 78.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 84.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 112.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 85.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 144.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 164.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 147.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 185.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 240.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 191.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 285.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 292.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 277.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 305.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 269.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 257.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 286.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 262.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 247.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 273.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 261.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 250.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 268.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 251.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 244.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 256.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 241.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 239.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 244.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near United States
More climate change data for United States
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 274,482 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 60,922 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 213,560 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 229.89 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 7,627 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 107,381 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 89,068 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 18,313 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 336.11 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 654.05 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is nitrous oxide emissions in United States?
- Nitrous oxide emissions in United States was 239.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024, according to Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest nitrous oxide emissions recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 305.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1976.
- What is the lowest nitrous oxide emissions recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 31.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does United States rank for nitrous oxide emissions?
- United States ranks 3rd out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is nitrous oxide emissions rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is down 5.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Nitrous oxide emissions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 175 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.