Fuel Consumption Calculator

How the Fuel Consumption Calculator Works

Select your unit system (L/100km for metric, MPG for imperial), enter the distance traveled and the fuel used. The calculator instantly shows your consumption rate.

Optionally enter the fuel price per litre (metric) or per gallon (imperial) to get an estimated cost. In metric mode, the cost is shown per 100 km. In imperial mode, it's shown per mile.

L/100km vs MPG: Understanding Fuel Efficiency Metrics

Two systems dominate fuel efficiency measurement worldwide, and they express the same reality in opposite directions. L/100km (litres per 100 kilometres) is the metric standard used in Canada, Europe, Australia, and most of the world. It measures how many litres of fuel your vehicle consumes for every 100 kilometres driven — a lower number is always better. A car that uses 6 L/100km is more efficient than one that uses 10 L/100km.

MPG (miles per gallon) is the standard in the United States and the United Kingdom. Unlike L/100km, a higher MPG means better efficiency — it tells you how many miles you can travel on a single gallon of fuel. A car achieving 40 MPG is more efficient than one achieving 25 MPG. The US gallon (3.785 litres) and the UK imperial gallon (4.546 litres) are different, so always confirm which gallon is being referenced when reading fuel economy ratings.

To convert between them: MPG (US) ≈ 235.2 ÷ L/100km. So a vehicle rated at 8 L/100km achieves approximately 29.4 MPG. Conversely, 30 MPG ≈ 7.8 L/100km. Understanding both systems is useful when comparing cars across North American and European markets, or when reading vehicle reviews from different countries.

Tips to Improve Your Fuel Economy

Fuel economy isn't fixed — it varies a lot based on how and where you drive. The biggest gains come from changes in driving behavior, not expensive modifications. Here are the most impactful things you can do:

• Maintain steady speeds on highways. Fuel consumption increases sharply above 100 km/h (62 mph). Driving at 120 km/h uses roughly 20% more fuel than driving at 100 km/h. Using cruise control on flat highways helps maintain an optimal constant speed and reduces micro-accelerations that waste fuel.
• Accelerate and brake smoothly. Aggressive acceleration followed by hard braking is one of the most fuel-wasteful driving patterns. Anticipate traffic flow and coast to decelerate when possible. Smooth, progressive acceleration from stops can improve fuel economy by 10–15% in city driving.
• Keep tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, which directly raises fuel consumption. Check your tire pressure monthly and maintain the level specified in your owner's manual (usually found on a sticker inside the driver's door frame). Tires that are 25% under-inflated can increase fuel use by 2–3%.
• Reduce unnecessary idling. A modern car idling for 10 minutes consumes roughly 0.3–0.6 litres of fuel — while moving nowhere. If you're stopped for more than 60 seconds (excluding traffic), turning the engine off saves fuel. Modern engines don't need extended warm-up periods; 30 seconds is sufficient in most conditions.

Electric vs. Gas: Understanding the Real Cost per Kilometre

One of the most compelling arguments for electric vehicles (EVs) is operating cost. A typical gasoline vehicle consuming 9 L/100km at $1.70/L costs about $0.153 per kilometre in fuel alone. A comparable EV consuming roughly 18 kWh/100km at $0.15/kWh costs about $0.027 per kilometre in electricity — roughly six times cheaper to run. Over 20,000 km per year, that difference amounts to approximately $2,500 in annual fuel savings.

However, the full cost comparison is more nuanced. EVs typically cost more to purchase upfront, though prices are converging. Maintenance costs for EVs are lower (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements thanks to regenerative braking, simpler drivetrain). In cold climates, EV range can drop by 20–40% in winter, effectively raising the per-kilometre energy cost during those months. The break-even point for an EV versus a comparable gas vehicle depends on your annual mileage, local electricity and gas prices, and available government incentives — but for most high-mileage drivers, the total cost of ownership favors the electric option over a 5-year window.

Frequently Asked Questions