A 2024 University College London study estimated that each cigarette shortens life by about 20 minutes on average, updating an earlier estimate of 11 minutes. Quitting at any age gains back years of life.
How to use the Cigarette Calculator
- Sex
- Cigarettes per day
- Years smoked
- Cigarettes per pack
- Price per pack
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter cigarettes per day, years smoked and the price of a pack.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Sex | Choose one: Male, Female |
| Cigarettes per day | A number |
| Years smoked | A number |
| Cigarettes per pack | A number |
| Price per pack | Amount in your currency |
What each result means
- Total cigarettes = [Cigarettes per day]×365.25×[Years smoked]
- Packs smoked = [Total cigarettes]÷[Cigarettes per pack]
- Money spent = [Packs smoked]×[Price per pack]
- …in years = [Estimated life lost]÷365.25
Example values
How the main result changes when Cigarettes per day changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Cigarettes per day | Total cigarettes |
|---|---|
| 7.5 | 54,788 |
| 11.25 | 82,181 |
| 15 | 109,575 |
| 18.75 | 136,969 |
| 22.5 | 164,363 |
| 30 | 219,150 |
Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.
Formula
Total cigarettes = cigarettes per day × 365.25 × years
Packs = total ÷ cigarettes per pack
Life lost ≈ total × 20 minutes (17 for men, 22 for women)
Worked example
Inputs — Sex: Male; Cigarettes per day: 15; Years smoked: 20; Cigarettes per pack: 20; Price per pack: $10.
Results — Total cigarettes = 109,575; Packs smoked = 5,479; Money spent = $54,788; Estimated life lost = 1,294 days; …in years = 3.5.
Key terms
- Life expectancy
- Average number of years a person is expected to live.
Frequently asked questions
How much life does one cigarette cost?
About 20 minutes on average according to a 2024 UCL analysis.
Is it too late to quit?
No – quitting at 40 gains back about 9 years, and at 60 about 3 years.
How much could I save by quitting?
Use the quit smoking savings calculator for future savings.