Fuel Consumption Converter
Convert between various units of fuel consumption, including miles per gallon (MPG), liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km), kilometers per liter (km/L), and more.
Conversion Formulas
MPG to L/100km:
L/100km to MPG:
km/L to L/100km:
MPG to km/L:
Fuel Efficiency Comparison
Bar length represents relative fuel efficiency (longer = better)
Inverse Relationship Explained
Note that L/100km is inversely related to MPG and km/L:
Higher MPG or km/L = Better Efficiency
You want these values to be higher
Lower L/100km = Better Efficiency
You want these values to be lower
Real-world Applications
Trip Planning
A car with 30 MPG driving 300 miles would require 10 gallons of fuel. At $3.50/gallon, the fuel cost would be $35.00.
Vehicle Comparison
A vehicle rated at 7 L/100km compared to one at 10 L/100km would save 3L of fuel every 100km, or approximately 30% in fuel costs.
Environmental Impact
A 5 MPG improvement (from 25 to 30 MPG) in a vehicle driven 12,000 miles annually reduces CO₂ emissions by approximately 1 ton per year.
Fleet Management
A company fleet of 50 vehicles improving from 8.5 L/100km to 7.5 L/100km could save approximately 5,000L of fuel annually over 100,000km total distance.
Global Standards
U.S. CAFE standards target approximately 49 MPG (4.8 L/100km) by 2026, while EU regulations aim for 3.6 L/100km (65 MPG) by 2030.
Hybrid Technology
A hybrid vehicle achieving 50 MPG compared to its conventional 30 MPG counterpart reduces fuel consumption by 40% for the same distance traveled.
Test Your Knowledge
Question 1: Convert 35 MPG to L/100km
Answer: 6.72 L/100km
Calculation: 235.215 ÷ 35 = 6.72 L/100km
Question 2: Which is more fuel efficient: 40 MPG or 6 L/100km?
Answer: 40 MPG is more efficient
Converting 40 MPG to L/100km: 235.215 ÷ 40 = 5.88 L/100km, which is better than 6 L/100km
Question 3: If a car has a fuel efficiency of 18 km/L, what is its equivalent in L/100km?
Answer: 5.56 L/100km
Calculation: 100 ÷ 18 = 5.56 L/100km
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About Fuel Consumption Units
Fuel consumption measures how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel to travel a given distance. Different countries and regions use different units to express this efficiency.
Common Fuel Consumption Units
- Miles per gallon (MPG): Used in the United States and the United Kingdom, MPG measures how many miles a vehicle can travel on one gallon of fuel. Higher MPG indicates better fuel efficiency.
- Liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km): The standard in most European and many other countries. It measures the amount of fuel consumed to travel 100 kilometers. Lower L/100km indicates better fuel efficiency.
- Kilometers per liter (km/L): Common in Japan, India, and other countries. Similar to MPG, it measures distance traveled per unit of fuel. Higher values indicate better efficiency.
- Miles per liter (MPL): A less common unit that measures how many miles a vehicle can travel on one liter of fuel.
- Gallons per 100 miles (gal/100mi): The inverse of MPG, sometimes used for comparative analyses. Lower values indicate better efficiency.
Conversion Formulas
- MPG to L/100km: L/100km = 235.215 / MPG
- L/100km to MPG: MPG = 235.215 / L/100km
- km/L to L/100km: L/100km = 100 / km/L
- L/100km to km/L: km/L = 100 / L/100km
- MPG to km/L: km/L = MPG × 0.425144
- km/L to MPG: MPG = km/L × 2.35215
Typical Fuel Consumption Values
| Vehicle Type | MPG (US) | L/100km | km/L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact car | 30-40 | 5.9-7.8 | 12.8-17.0 |
| Midsize sedan | 25-35 | 6.7-9.4 | 10.6-14.9 |
| SUV | 20-30 | 7.8-11.8 | 8.5-12.8 |
| Pickup truck | 15-25 | 9.4-15.7 | 6.4-10.6 |
| Hybrid vehicle | 45-60 | 3.9-5.2 | 19.1-25.5 |
| Plug-in hybrid | 100-150 | 1.6-2.4 | 42.5-63.8 |
Factors Affecting Fuel Consumption
- Vehicle weight: Heavier vehicles typically consume more fuel.
- Engine size and type: Larger engines generally use more fuel, while modern technologies like direct injection and turbocharging can improve efficiency.
- Driving habits: Aggressive acceleration and braking, high speeds, and excessive idling increase fuel consumption.
- Terrain: Driving in hilly or mountainous areas typically increases fuel consumption compared to flat terrain.
- Weather conditions: Extreme temperatures, especially cold, can reduce fuel efficiency.
- Maintenance: Proper maintenance, including regular oil changes and correct tire pressure, helps maintain optimal fuel efficiency.
- Vehicle aerodynamics: More aerodynamic vehicles experience less drag, improving fuel efficiency at higher speeds.
Tips for Improving Fuel Efficiency
- Drive smoothly, avoiding rapid acceleration and braking
- Maintain a steady speed on highways and use cruise control when appropriate
- Keep tires properly inflated
- Remove unnecessary weight from the vehicle
- Use the recommended grade of motor oil
- Limit air conditioner use when possible
- Plan trips to combine errands and avoid traffic congestion
- Keep your vehicle properly maintained with regular service