Trading conceptsapi-gravity
API gravity
A measure of crude oil density relative to water — higher API = lighter crude.
API gravity is the American Petroleum Institute's measure of crude oil density relative to water. Higher API = lighter crude = more valuable (more gasoline and middle distillate yield).
- Heavy: <22° API (e.g., Western Canadian Select ~20° API)
- Medium: 22-31° API (e.g., Arab Heavy ~28° API)
- Light: >31° API (e.g., WTI ~40° API, Brent ~38° API)
Sulphur content (sweet <0.5%, sour >0.5%) is the other critical quality dimension.
Frequently asked
- What does API gravity mean in oil and commodity trading?
- A measure of crude oil density relative to water — higher API = lighter crude.
- How do I check a counterparty that uses API gravity in a deal?
- The term itself is not enough to clear or condemn a deal. What matters is the counterparty behind the pitch. Screen that name for free against OilFlow's first-party fraud-cluster corpus in seconds, and confirm identity documents and banking details independently before you transact.
See also
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