Convert between miles per gallon and liters per 100 km instantly. Free MPG to L/100km and L/100km to MPG converter.
Converting between MPG (miles per gallon) and L/100km (liters per 100 kilometers) is essential when comparing vehicles across markets. The US and UK use MPG while most of the world uses L/100km. Because the conversion is an inverse relationship, it's not as simple as multiplying by a single factor.
This converter handles both directions instantly. Enter an MPG value to see L/100km, or enter L/100km to see MPG. It also shows the UK imperial MPG equivalent, since UK gallons are larger than US gallons.
Whether you're shopping for an imported vehicle, reading international car reviews, or traveling abroad and comparing fuel costs, this tool eliminates the confusion of switching between fuel economy systems.
Whether you drive a compact sedan, a full-size SUV, or a pickup truck, accurate mpg to l/100km figures help you plan smarter and avoid costly surprises at the pump or dealership. Use this tool regularly to track changes over time and adjust your transportation budget accordingly.
Vehicle specifications and reviews often use different fuel economy units depending on the market. This converter bridges the gap between US MPG and the metric L/100km standard, making it easy to compare vehicles from different countries or understand international fuel economy ratings. Results update instantly as you adjust inputs, making it easy to explore different scenarios and find the best option for your driving needs and budget.
L/100km = 235.215 ÷ MPG (US) MPG (US) = 235.215 ÷ L/100km MPG (UK) = MPG (US) × 1.20095
Result: 7.84 L/100km
A vehicle rated at 30 US MPG consumes 235.215 ÷ 30 = 7.84 L/100km. In UK imperial gallons, that's 30 × 1.20095 = 36.0 MPG (UK).
The US adopted MPG as its standard because fuel was historically cheap and plentiful — drivers cared about how far they could go. Europe and other regions adopted L/100km because it directly relates to fuel cost and consumption, which is more practical for budgeting.
One important concept is the MPG illusion. Because MPG is a ratio with fuel in the denominator, improvements at the low end save far more fuel than improvements at the high end. Going from 10 to 15 MPG saves more fuel than going from 35 to 100 MPG over the same distance. L/100km avoids this problem entirely.
15 MPG = 15.7 L/100km (large truck). 20 MPG = 11.8 L/100km (SUV). 25 MPG = 9.4 L/100km (midsize). 30 MPG = 7.8 L/100km (compact). 40 MPG = 5.9 L/100km (hybrid). 50 MPG = 4.7 L/100km (plug-in hybrid).
Use this converter when reading international car reviews, comparing imported vehicles, traveling abroad, or discussing fuel economy with people in other countries. It's also useful when checking manufacturer specs that may be listed in a different unit than what you're familiar with.
MPG and L/100km have an inverse (reciprocal) relationship. MPG measures distance per unit of fuel, while L/100km measures fuel per unit of distance. The conversion formula is 235.215 ÷ value, which produces a hyperbolic curve, not a straight line.
US gallons are 3.785 liters, while UK imperial gallons are 4.546 liters. This means UK MPG figures are about 20% higher than US MPG for the same vehicle. Always check which gallon is being used when reading specifications.
10 L/100km = 235.215 ÷ 10 = 23.5 MPG (US). This is typical for a larger SUV or truck. In UK imperial MPG, that's about 28.2 MPG.
40 MPG (US) = 235.215 ÷ 40 = 5.88 L/100km. This is very efficient, typical of a hybrid or small diesel car. In UK terms, that's about 48 MPG.
This is the MPG illusion. At 15 MPG, you use 6.67 gallons per 100 miles. At 20 MPG, you use 5.0 gallons — saving 1.67 gallons. At 35 MPG, you use 2.86 gallons; at 40 MPG, 2.50 gallons — saving only 0.36 gallons. L/100km avoids this illusion.
Divide 100 by the km/L value. For example, 14 km/L = 100 ÷ 14 = 7.14 L/100km. To then get MPG, divide 235.215 by the L/100km result.