Carbon Footprint of a T-Shirt: LCA Benchmark (10,000 Simulations)
Last updated: 2026-03-14
Based on 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations following ISO 14040/44, the carbon footprint of a single t-shirt has a median of 3.0 kg CO₂e and a mean of 3.1 kg CO₂e. The 80th percentile range spans from 2.1 kg CO₂e to 4.1 kg CO₂e, reflecting real-world variability in fiber choice, manufacturing location, and end-of-life treatment. This benchmark draws on multiple authoritative data sources including published LCA databases and studies such as Ecoinvent and DEFRA 2025.
How Much CO₂ Does a T-Shirt Produce?
Impact Score Scale (A to E)
| Score | Rating | Range |
|---|---|---|
| A | Excellent | 0.00 – 2.41 kg CO₂e/t-shirt |
| B | Good | 2.41 – 2.82 kg CO₂e/t-shirt |
| C | Average | 2.82 – 3.22 kg CO₂e/t-shirt |
| D | Below Average | 3.22 – 3.71 kg CO₂e/t-shirt |
| E | High Impact | 3.71 – + kg CO₂e/t-shirt |
Phase Contribution Overview
LCA Phase Breakdown: Where Do the Emissions Come From?
| Phase | Median (kg CO₂e) | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Materials | 0.72 | |
| Manufacturing | 1.79 | |
| Packaging | 0.01 | |
| Transport | 0.06 | |
| Use Phase | 0.34 | |
| End of Life | 0.07 |
Key Findings
- The median carbon footprint of a t-shirt is 3.0 kg CO₂e, with a mean of 3.1 kg CO₂e across 10,000 simulations.
- The P10–P90 range spans 2.1 to 4.1 kg CO₂e, meaning the top 10% of high-impact t-shirts emit nearly twice as much as the bottom 10%.
- The standard deviation of 0.8 kg CO₂e indicates substantial variability driven by differences in raw material sourcing, fiber type, and manufacturing geography.
- Manufacturing (spinning, knitting, dyeing and finishing) is the largest phase at 60.1% of the footprint, followed by raw materials at 23.5% and the use phase at 11.8%.
Methodology: ISO 14040 Monte Carlo Simulation
This benchmark is generated using 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations in accordance with ISO 14040/44, drawing on emission factor ranges compiled from published LCA databases and studies (such as Ecoinvent and DEFRA) and supplementary emission factors from DEFRA 2025, with market share weightings based on published global trade and fiber reports. Uncertainty ranges reflect variability in material composition, production location, packaging, transport, and end-of-life scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the carbon footprint of a t-shirt?
The median carbon footprint of a t-shirt is 3.0 kg CO₂e per unit, based on 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations. The typical range (P10 to P90) runs from 2.1 to 4.1 kg CO₂e, capturing the variability across different fiber types, manufacturing regions, and end-of-life pathways. The mean is slightly higher at 3.1 kg CO₂e, suggesting a modest skew toward higher-impact scenarios in the distribution.
How is this benchmark calculated?
We run 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations using emission factor ranges compiled from published LCA databases and studies (such as Ecoinvent), supplemented by emission factors from DEFRA 2025 and fiber market share data from industry reports. Each simulation draws probabilistically from ranges for material composition, transport distances, manufacturing location, and end-of-life treatment, producing a distribution of outcomes rather than a single point estimate. The methodology follows ISO 14040/44 standards for life cycle assessment.
Which life cycle phase contributes the most?
Manufacturing is the dominant life cycle phase, accounting for 60.1% of the total carbon footprint, primarily driven by the energy-intensive processes involved in spinning, weaving, dyeing, and finishing textiles. Raw materials extraction and processing is the second largest contributor at 23.5%, followed by the use phase at 11.8%. Together, these three phases represent over 95% of the total lifecycle emissions, making them the primary focus for meaningful impact reduction.
How can I reduce the carbon footprint of my t-shirt?
The wide P10–P90 range of 2.1 to 4.1 kg CO₂e shows that choices made across the supply chain can meaningfully cut emissions. Key levers include selecting lower-impact fiber types, sourcing from manufacturing regions with cleaner energy grids, minimizing transport distances, using minimal or recycled packaging, and designing for durability to extend product life. From a consumer perspective, washing at lower temperatures, air-drying, and keeping garments in use longer are among the most impactful actions to reduce the per-use carbon footprint.
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