Input–output estimates of nitrogen on cropland are essential for improving nitrogen management and better understanding the global nitrogen cycle. Here, we compare 13 nitrogen budget datasets covering 115 countries and regions over 1961–2015. Although most datasets showed similar spatiotemporal patterns, some annual estimates varied widely among them, resulting in large ranges and uncertainty. In 2010, global medians (in TgN yr⁻¹) and associated minimum–maximum ranges were 73 (64–84) for global harvested crop nitrogen; 161 (139–192) for total nitrogen inputs; 86 (68–97) for nitrogen surplus; and 46% (40–53%) for nitrogen use efficiency. Some of the most uncertain nitrogen budget terms by country showed ranges as large as their medians, revealing areas for improvement. A benchmark nitrogen budget dataset, derived from central tendencies of the original datasets, can be used in model comparisons and inform sustainable nitrogen management in food systems.

农田氮素投入产出估算对于改善氮素管理和更好地了解全球氮循环至关重要。在这里，我们比较了 1961-2015 年涵盖 115 个国家和地区的 13 个氮预算数据集。尽管大多数数据集显示出相似的时空模式，但其中一些年度估计值差异很大，从而导致较大的范围和不确定性。2010 年，全球中位数（TgN yr ⁻¹) 以及全球收获作物氮的相关最小-最大范围为 73 (64-84)；161 (139–192) 用于总氮输入；86 (68–97) 表示氮过剩；氮利用效率为 46% (40–53%)。按国家/地区划分的一些最不确定的氮预算条款显示的范围与其中位数一样大，揭示了需要改进的领域。基准氮预算数据集源自原始数据集的中心趋势，可用于模型比较并为粮食系统中的可持续氮管理提供信息。