Fuel Efficiency Calculator
Calculate vehicle fuel efficiency (miles per gallon, litres per 100km), plan trip fuel requirements, compare vehicles, and estimate fuel costs. Essential for automotive planning, environmental awareness, and cost optimization.
Calculate Fuel Efficiency
Choose your calculation type and enter the required values:
MPG = Distance (miles) ÷ Fuel (gallons) • L/100km = (Fuel × 100) ÷ Distance (km)
Understanding Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency measures how far a vehicle can travel per unit of fuel consumed. Different regions use different units: MPG (miles per gallon) in the US and L/100km (litres per 100 kilometres) in most other countries. This calculator helps you understand and compare fuel efficiency across different systems.
Fuel Efficiency Units
🏁 Miles per Gallon (MPG)
Imperial system used in US/UK
Higher MPG = better efficiency
Typical range: 15-50 MPG
Affected by vehicle size and type
🌍 Litres per 100km (L/100km)
Metric system used worldwide
Lower L/100km = better efficiency
Typical range: 3-15 L/100km
Easier to compare fuel costs
⚡ Kilometres per Litre (km/L)
Alternative metric measure
Higher km/L = better efficiency
Direct relationship to distance
Good for fuel cost calculations
Typical Vehicle Fuel Efficiency
| Vehicle Type | MPG (US) | L/100km | km/L | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Car | 30-40 | 6-8 | 12.5-16.7 | Best for city driving |
| Sedan | 25-35 | 7-10 | 10-14 | Balanced performance |
| SUV | 20-30 | 8-12 | 8.3-12.5 | Higher fuel consumption |
| Truck/Pickup | 15-25 | 9-16 | 6.25-11.1 | Worst fuel efficiency |
| Hybrid | 40-60 | 4-6 | 16.7-25 | Best efficiency |
| Electric | ∞ | 0 | ∞ | Zero fuel consumption |
Factors Affecting Fuel Efficiency
🚗 Vehicle Factors
Engine size and type
Aerodynamic design
Vehicle weight
Tire pressure and condition
Engine maintenance
🏃♂️ Driving Habits
Speed and acceleration
Idling time
Traffic conditions
Route planning
Load carried
🌡️ Environmental Factors
Temperature and weather
Altitude and terrain
Wind conditions
Road surface quality
Traffic congestion
Fuel Efficiency Conversion
| MPG | L/100km | km/L | Efficiency Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 23.5 | 4.25 | Poor |
| 15 | 15.7 | 6.36 | Below Average |
| 20 | 11.8 | 8.47 | Average |
| 25 | 9.4 | 10.6 | Good |
| 30 | 7.8 | 12.8 | Very Good |
| 40 | 5.9 | 16.9 | Excellent |
| 50 | 4.7 | 21.3 | Outstanding |
Tips to Improve Fuel Efficiency
🛠️ Maintenance Tips
• Keep tires properly inflated
• Change oil regularly
• Replace air filters
• Check wheel alignment
• Use recommended fuel grade
🚦 Driving Tips
• Avoid rapid acceleration
• Maintain steady speeds
• Use cruise control
• Plan routes efficiently
• Reduce idling time
💡 Smart Tips
• Remove unnecessary weight
• Keep windows closed at high speeds
• Use air conditioning wisely
• Combine trips when possible
• Consider carpooling
Environmental Impact
🌱 Carbon Footprint
Gasoline: ~2.3 kg CO₂ per litre
Diesel: ~2.7 kg CO₂ per litre
Electric: 0 kg CO₂ (tailpipe)
Hybrid: 50-70% reduction
Better efficiency = less emissions
💰 Cost Savings
Better MPG saves money
Lower L/100km = less fuel
Hybrid technology pays off
Electric vehicles cheapest to run
Fuel efficiency improves over time
🔮 Future Trends
Electric vehicle adoption
Hybrid technology improvements
Alternative fuel development
Autonomous driving efficiency
Connected vehicle optimization
Fuel Types and Efficiency
| Fuel Type | Energy Density | Typical MPG | CO₂ Emissions | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Gasoline | 32.2 MJ/L | 25-35 | 2.3 kg/L | Widely available |
| Premium Gasoline | 32.2 MJ/L | 25-40 | 2.3 kg/L | Better performance |
| Diesel | 35.8 MJ/L | 25-40 | 2.7 kg/L | Better efficiency |
| E85 (Ethanol) | 21.2 MJ/L | 20-30 | 1.5 kg/L | Renewable |
| Electricity | Varies | ∞ | 0 kg/L | Zero emissions |
⛽ Fuel Tip: The relationship between MPG and L/100km is not linear. A vehicle that gets 25 MPG uses about 9.4 L/100km, while a 50 MPG vehicle uses only 4.7 L/100km - more than doubling the efficiency!