Fuel Consumption Converter

Kilometer/liter (km/L)

Common metric unit measuring distance traveled per liter of fuel. Higher numbers indicate better fuel efficiency.

Common uses: Vehicle fuel economy in most countries, fuel efficiency standards, vehicle comparisons.

Liter/100 km (L/100km)

European standard showing fuel consumption per 100 kilometers. Lower numbers indicate better efficiency. Inverse relationship to km/L.

Common uses: European vehicle specs, EU fuel consumption labels, car ratings.

Miles per Gallon (MPG)

US/UK standard unit measuring miles traveled per gallon. 1 MPG (US) ≈ 0.425 km/L. Higher numbers = better efficiency.

Common uses: US and UK vehicle labels, fuel economy regulations, car ratings (EPA).

Miles per Gallon (UK) [MPG (UK)]

Imperial gallon based unit. 1 MPG (UK) ≈ 0.354 km/L. Used in UK and Commonwealth countries.

Common uses: UK vehicle specifications, Commonwealth countries, historical data.

Meter/liter (m/L)

Small metric unit for high fuel consumption (low efficiency). 1 m/L = 0.001 km/L.

Application: Large vehicles, industrial equipment, ships, heavy machinery.

Gallon/mile

Inverse measure showing fuel consumption. Lower numbers = better efficiency. Reciprocal of MPG.

Application: Fleet management, cost analysis, fuel efficiency comparisons.

Fuel Consumption Conversions Quick Reference

• 1 km/L: 2.352 MPG (US) = 2.825 MPG (UK) = 100 L/100km
• 1 MPG (US): 0.425 km/L = 23.5 L/100km
• 1 MPG (UK): 0.354 km/L = 28.3 L/100km
• 1 L/100km: 0.01 km/L = 2.352 MPG (US)
• Typical car: ~7 km/L = ~15 MPG (US) = 14 L/100km
• Efficient hybrid: ~15 km/L = ~35 MPG (US) = 6.7 L/100km
• SUV/Large vehicle: ~5 km/L = ~12 MPG (US) = 20 L/100km
• Electric vehicle: Measured in kWh/100km instead

Factors Affecting Fuel Consumption

• Driving habits: Aggressive acceleration/braking reduces efficiency by 10-40%
• Speed: Optimal speed ~80 km/h; higher speeds use more fuel exponentially
• Road conditions: Highway driving (~5-10% better) vs city driving (stop-and-go)
• Terrain: Uphill driving significantly increases consumption
• Vehicle load: Extra weight increases fuel consumption (100 kg ≈ 1-2% increase)
• Tire pressure: Under-inflated tires increase resistance and consumption
• AC usage: Can increase consumption by 10-20%
• Vehicle condition: Poor maintenance reduces efficiency
• Weather: Cold weather and headwinds reduce efficiency
• Traffic congestion: Idling and stop-and-go traffic reduce efficiency

Regional Fuel Economy Standards

• USA/Canada: Miles per gallon (US) [MPG] - higher is better
• Europe/Asia: Liters per 100 km [L/100km] - lower is better
• UK/Commonwealth: Miles per gallon (UK) [MPG (UK)]
• Japan/Australia: Typically use km/L - higher is better
• China: Increasingly using L/100km standard
• Testing cycles: WLTP (Worldwide), EPA (US), NEDC (Old European)
• Real-world vs test: Actual consumption typically 20-30% higher than ratings
• Alternative fuels: Electric in Wh/km, Hydrogen in km/kg

Calculating Fuel Cost

• Cost per km: (Fuel price per liter) ÷ (km/L efficiency) = Cost per km
• Cost per mile: (Fuel price per gallon) ÷ (MPG efficiency) = Cost per mile
• Annual cost: (Annual distance) × (Cost per km or mile)
• Example: 8 L/100km at $1.50/L = $0.12 per km traveled
• Efficiency improvement savings: Upgrading from 8 to 6 L/100km saves 25% fuel cost
• Long-term savings: Better fuel economy often pays for itself

Tips for Better Fuel Efficiency

• Maintenance: Regular servicing, clean air filters, proper oil viscosity
• Tire care: Keep tires properly inflated, use low-rolling-resistance tires
• Driving habits: Smooth acceleration, maintain steady speed, avoid idling
• Vehicle choices: Smaller engines, lighter vehicles, hybrid/electric options
• Route planning: Avoid traffic, combine trips, use navigation for efficiency
• Load reduction: Remove unnecessary weight, use rooftop storage sparingly
• Technology: Use cruise control on highways, eco-driving modes
• Monitoring: Track fuel consumption to identify problems early