MPG to L/100km: How to Convert Fuel Economy Units

Fuel economy is measured differently around the world. The United States uses miles per gallon (MPG), most of Europe and Canada uses liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km), and the UK has its own imperial gallon standard. Here's how to convert between them.

The Conversion Formula

L/100km = 282.48 ÷ MPG (US)
L/100km = 235.21 ÷ MPG (UK)

To convert L/100km to MPG:
MPG (US) = 282.48 ÷ L/100km
MPG (UK) = 235.21 ÷ L/100km

Common Fuel Economy Conversions

10 L/100km = 28.2 MPG (US) = 23.5 MPG (UK)
8 L/100km = 35.3 MPG (US) = 29.4 MPG (UK)
6 L/100km = 47.1 MPG (US) = 39.2 MPG (UK)
20 MPG (US) = 14.1 L/100km
30 MPG (US) = 9.4 L/100km
40 MPG (US) = 7.1 L/100km

Why Two Different MPG Standards?

The difference comes from the gallon definition. The US gallon (3.785 L) is smaller than the UK imperial gallon (4.546 L). So a car that gets 30 MPG (US) would get about 36 MPG (UK). Always check which standard is being used when comparing fuel economy ratings.

International Car Import Considerations

If you are importing a vehicle from Europe to the US or vice versa, understanding fuel economy conversions is essential. European cars display fuel consumption in L/100km, where lower numbers mean better efficiency. US cars use MPG, where higher numbers mean better efficiency. Use the OmniConverter fuel consumption tool above for instant conversions.