---
title: What is the boiling range of red diesel?
url: https://cityfuel.services/questions/what-is-the-boiling-range-of-red-diesel/
publisher: City Fuel Services Ltd
---

# What is the boiling range of red diesel?

In brief

Red diesel boils over a range rather than at one temperature, roughly about 180°C to 370°C, because it is a mixture of many different hydrocarbons. Call [07950 582635](tel:+447950582635) or [send an enquiry](https://cityfuel.services/enquiry/).

## Why fuels like red diesel boil over a range

Each compound boils at its own temperature, so a mixture starts boiling when its lightest parts vaporise and finishes when its heaviest do. Refineries use exactly this to separate crude oil into fuels.

## How the boiling range of red diesel is used

Fuel standards set distillation limits, and a distillation test shows whether a sample has been mixed with lighter or heavier fuel.

## Red diesel in practice

Since 1 April 2022 many businesses have been left holding red diesel they can no longer use. Usable fuel can go to an entitled user or an RDCO; contaminated or unusable fuel is waste.

## How City Fuel Services handles waste red diesel

Every load of waste red diesel is assessed before anything is booked. Tell us the quantity, the containers and any contamination; we confirm the terms, collect with a suitable vehicle, and take it to a permitted facility on a consignment note.

## Terms used in this answer

**Flash point**: The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off enough vapour to catch light. Petrol's is around minus 40 °C; diesel's is above 55 °C.
**Gas oil (red diesel)**: Diesel-type fuel with a red marker dye, taxed at a lower rate for the uses where it is still allowed.

**Key facts**

| Density at 15°C | Close to road diesel, typically about 830–860 kg/m³ |
| --- | --- |
| Flash point | Typically above 55°C, like road diesel |
| Sulphur | 10 mg/kg maximum for the off-road grade |
| Colour | Red when rebated (dye plus chemical markers) |
| Standard | BS 2869 |
| Fuel | [Red diesel](https://cityfuel.services/fuels/red-diesel/) |
| Also called | gas oil, rebated diesel, marked gas oil |
| Waste code | 13 07 01* (fuel oil and diesel) |
| Transport | UN1202, class 3, packing group III |
| Standard | BS 2869 (class A2 for off-road engines) |

## Related questions

- [How many carbon atoms are in red diesel?](https://cityfuel.services/questions/how-many-carbon-atoms-are-in-red-diesel/)
- [How much sulphur is in red diesel?](https://cityfuel.services/questions/how-much-sulphur-is-in-red-diesel/)
- [Does red diesel float on water?](https://cityfuel.services/questions/does-red-diesel-float-on-water/)
- [What standard does red diesel meet?](https://cityfuel.services/questions/what-standard-does-red-diesel-meet/)
- [What is red diesel?](https://cityfuel.services/questions/what-is-red-diesel/)
- [What is red diesel made of?](https://cityfuel.services/questions/what-is-red-diesel-made-of/)
- [What is the chemical formula of red diesel?](https://cityfuel.services/questions/what-is-the-chemical-formula-of-red-diesel/)
- [What happens if water gets into red diesel?](https://cityfuel.services/questions/what-happens-if-water-gets-into-red-diesel/)

**Official guidance:** [GOV.UK: hazardous waste](https://www.gov.uk/dispose-hazardous-waste).

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City Fuel Services Ltd, Fairfield Road, Droylsden, Manchester M43 6AX. Call 07950 582635 or send an enquiry at https://cityfuel.services/enquiry/.