MPG to L/100km
Convert US or UK fuel economy in MPG to liters per 100 km.
Category
Automotive Converters
Automotive tools: fuel economy (L/100 km, MPG), EV range and charging cost, tyre size calculator. Built for car buyers, drivers and EV charging planners.
Last updated: June 2026
Cars mix metric and imperial more than almost anything else you own, and the numbers that matter are the ones that cost money: fuel economy, charging cost and the range you actually get. A US window sticker quotes MPG while most of the world uses liters per 100 km, and the two run in opposite directions, so a higher number is better for one and worse for the other. The tools here convert the figure and put it in the context of a real trip or tank.
For electric cars the equivalent questions are range and cost per charge. Those depend on battery size, efficiency and your local electricity price rather than a single fixed number, so a calculator beats a rule of thumb.
Tools in this section
L/100km to MPG
Convert metric fuel economy back into miles per gallon.
EV range and cost calculator
Estimate real range and the cost of a full charge from battery size and price.
Fuel trip cost calculator
Work out the fuel cost of a trip from distance, economy and fuel price.
Tyre size calculator
Compare tyre sizes and see the effect on rolling diameter and speedometer.
Fuel economy at a glance: MPG, L/100 km and UK MPG
US window stickers quote miles per US gallon, most of the world uses liters per 100 km, and the UK uses the larger Imperial gallon. The exact relationships are L/100 km = 235.215 / US MPG and UK MPG = US MPG × 1.201. The figures that come up most often:
| US MPG | L/100 km | UK (Imperial) MPG | Typical vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 11.8 | 24.0 | Large SUV or pickup |
| 25 | 9.4 | 30.0 | Older sedan |
| 30 | 7.8 | 36.0 | Mid-size petrol car |
| 35 | 6.7 | 42.0 | Efficient compact |
| 40 | 5.9 | 48.0 | Small or hybrid car |
| 50 | 4.7 | 60.0 | Full hybrid |
Unit differences that catch drivers out
Fuel economy is the most confusing automotive measurement because the two main systems go in opposite directions. Miles per gallon (MPG) is better when the number is higher. Litres per 100 km (L/100km) is better when the number is lower. A US car rated at 30 MPG and a European spec sheet showing 7.8 L/100km describe identical fuel efficiency, but the mental model is completely reversed. This is why comparing cross-market fuel economy without conversion always produces the wrong answer.
Tyre pressure is a three-way split. US tyres use PSI, printed on the driver's door jamb. European tyres use bar. Australian and some Asian markets print kPa on the tyre label. All three units appear on petrol-station pumps in different regions. The relationship is fixed: 1 bar = 14.5 PSI = 100 kPa. Inflating to 2.5 bar (36 PSI) based on a PSI gauge when the label says bar is a common over-inflation error.
Engine power creates a similar cross-market mismatch. European manufacturers typically quote both kW and PS (metric horsepower); US manufacturers use mechanical horsepower (hp). One PS is 0.986 hp, so the gap is small, but kW is about 35 percent lower than the equivalent horsepower figure. A 150 kW engine is 201 hp, not 150 hp. Checking the unit before comparing two spec sheets prevents significant misjudgements when buying across markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I compare MPG and L/100km?
They measure the same thing in opposite directions, so you cannot just swap the number. Divide 235.215 by the US MPG figure to get L/100km: 30 MPG is about 7.8 L/100km. A higher MPG is better, but a lower L/100km is better.
Is a lower L/100km better?
Yes. L/100km is fuel used per fixed distance, so less is more efficient, the opposite of MPG where more is better. A car at 5 L/100km uses less fuel than one at 8 L/100km over the same trip.
How much does it cost to charge an electric car?
Multiply the energy added (in kWh) by your price per kWh. Charging a 60 kWh battery at 0.30 per kWh costs about 18 in your currency. Home charging is usually far cheaper per kWh than rapid public charging.
How do I read a tyre size like 205/55 R16?
205 is the tread width in millimeters, 55 is the sidewall height as a percentage of that width, R means radial construction, and 16 is the wheel diameter in inches. Changing any of these alters the rolling diameter, which the tyre size calculator shows.
Why is my real EV range lower than the rating?
Official ranges are measured in mild, steady conditions. Cold weather, high motorway speeds, cabin heating and hilly routes all cut real range, often by 20 to 30 percent in winter. Treat the rating as a best case and use the range calculator for your own conditions.