Fuel Consumption Converter
Convert between MPG (US/UK), L/100km, km/L, and more fuel economy units.
Quick Reference — 1 unit = ? Kilometers per Liter (km/L)
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| Liters per 100 km (L/100km) | 100 |
| Kilometers per Liter (km/L) | 1 |
| Miles per Gallon (US MPG) | 0.4251429543 |
| Miles per Gallon (UK MPG) | 0.3540061101 |
| Liters per Kilometer (L/km) | 1 |
Formula
MPG(US) = 235.215 / L/100km | km/L = 100 / L/100km
Everyday Uses
Road trip budgeting
Convert your car's consumption into an exact fuel cost for the trip before you leave.
Car shopping
Compare MPG and L/100km across listings from different countries on equal terms.
Tracking efficiency
A sudden drop in fuel economy can flag maintenance issues early — track fill-ups and compare.
Cutting costs
See what better driving habits or a more efficient car would save you per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert L/100km to MPG (and vice versa)?
US MPG = 235.215 ÷ L/100km. UK MPG = 282.481 ÷ L/100km. L/100km = 235.215 ÷ US MPG. Examples: 8 L/100km = 29.4 US MPG = 35.3 UK MPG. 6 L/100km = 39.2 US MPG (very fuel-efficient). 12 L/100km = 19.6 US MPG (typical SUV). 30 US MPG = 7.84 L/100km. Note: L/100km and MPG are inversely related — a lower L/100km is better; a higher MPG is better.
What is the difference between US MPG and UK MPG?
The UK (imperial) gallon is 4.546 litres; the US gallon is 3.785 litres — about 20% smaller. So the same car always shows higher MPG in UK measurement than US. A car rated 40 UK MPG = 33.3 US MPG = 7.06 L/100km. When comparing vehicle fuel economy across countries or car reviews, always check which gallon is being used. European reviews typically use L/100km; American reviews use US MPG; UK reviews may use either.
What are typical fuel consumption figures for different vehicle types?
Reference fuel economy benchmarks: Small city car (e.g. VW Polo): 5–6 L/100km = 39–47 US MPG. Family sedan (e.g. Toyota Camry): 7–9 L/100km = 26–34 US MPG. SUV (e.g. Ford Explorer): 10–13 L/100km = 18–24 US MPG. Pickup truck (full-size): 13–16 L/100km = 15–18 US MPG. Hybrid (e.g. Toyota Prius): 4–5 L/100km = 47–59 US MPG. Electric vehicle: expressed in kWh/100km or miles per kWh (e.g. 15 kWh/100km = 6.7 km/kWh = about 3–4 miles/kWh).
How do you calculate fuel cost for a trip?
Fuel cost = (Distance ÷ Fuel economy) × Fuel price. In metric: (kilometres ÷ 100) × L/100km × price per litre = total fuel cost. Example: 500 km trip, car uses 7 L/100km, fuel costs £1.50/L: (500 ÷ 100) × 7 × 1.50 = 5 × 7 × 1.50 = £52.50. In US: miles ÷ MPG = gallons needed × $/gallon = cost. Example: 300 miles, 30 MPG, $3.50/gal: 300 ÷ 30 = 10 gal × $3.50 = $35.00.
How does driving style and speed affect fuel consumption?
Fuel consumption rises significantly at motorway speeds due to aerodynamic drag, which increases with the square of speed. Driving at 110 km/h (68 mph) typically uses 15–25% more fuel than at 90 km/h (56 mph). Aggressive acceleration and heavy braking can increase consumption by 20–40% vs. smooth driving. Other fuel-saving tips: tyre inflation (under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance by ~2–3% per 10 psi drop), air conditioning adds ~5–10% consumption, and roof boxes/carriers can add 10–15% at highway speeds.