12.5
km/L
29.4018
mpg
35.3101
mpg imp
0.08
L/km
47.3176
km/US gal
56.8261
km/Imp gal
12.5
km/L
29.4018
mpg
35.3101
mpg imp
0.08
L/km
47.3176
km/US gal
56.8261
km/Imp gal
The Liters per 100 Kilometers to Miles per Gallon Converter converts the European/international fuel consumption standard (L/100 km) to US MPG and Imperial MPG. This is essential for North American buyers evaluating imported vehicles, travelers renting cars abroad, and automotive journalists comparing global fuel economy data.
The conversion uses the inverse formula: MPG (US) = 235.215 / L/100 km. A car rated at 6 L/100 km in Europe achieves 39.2 MPG in US terms — quite efficient. A less efficient vehicle at 12 L/100 km equals only 19.6 MPG. The non-linear nature of this conversion means that small improvements in already-efficient vehicles yield large MPG gains.
The converter also provides Imperial MPG (used in the UK), which uses the larger imperial gallon (4.546 L vs 3.785 L for US). This means Imperial MPG numbers are about 20% higher than US MPG for the same vehicle. A car at 8 L/100 km gets 29.4 US MPG but 35.3 Imperial MPG.
Additionally, the km/L output (simply 100 ÷ L/100 km) gives the metric distance-per-volume figure used in Japan and other Asian markets, providing a direct linear metric for fuel efficiency.
The formulas: MPG (US) = 235.215 / L/100 km, MPG (Imperial) = 282.481 / L/100 km, km/L = 100 / L/100 km. The difference between the US and Imperial constants reflects the different gallon sizes.
Conversion table: 4 L/100km = 58.8 MPG, 6 L/100km = 39.2 MPG, 8 L/100km = 29.4 MPG, 10 L/100km = 23.5 MPG, 12 L/100km = 19.6 MPG, 15 L/100km = 15.7 MPG.
Inputs
Results
5.5 L/100km = 42.8 MPG
Inputs
Results
10 L/100km = 23.5 MPG
Divide 235.215 by the L/100 km value. Example: 8 L/100 km → 235.215 / 8 = 29.4 MPG (US).
Imperial gallon (4.546 L) is 20.1% larger than US gallon (3.785 L). So Imperial MPG is always ~20% higher for the same vehicle. The conversion constants are 235.215 (US) and 282.481 (Imperial).
7 L/100 km = 33.6 MPG (US) = 40.4 MPG (Imperial). This is considered good efficiency for a mid-size car.
5 L/100 km = 47.0 MPG (US) = 56.5 MPG (Imperial). This is very efficient — typical for modern diesel or hybrid vehicles.
Using per-100-km gives manageable numbers (typically 3-20) rather than small fractions (0.03-0.20 L/km). It makes comparisons intuitive and practical.
L/100 km linearly represents fuel cost — doubling L/100 km doubles fuel expense. MPG is non-linear: going from 10 to 20 MPG saves more fuel than 30 to 40 MPG, which can mislead consumers.
Modern diesel cars achieve 3.5-5.5 L/100 km (43-67 MPG US). Diesel's higher compression ratio and energy density per liter yield 15-30% better fuel economy than gasoline.
Hybrid models like the Toyota Prius achieve about 3.4 L/100 km (69 MPG combined). Plug-in hybrids can achieve below 2 L/100 km in mixed driving.
Annual cost = (annual km / 100) × L/100 km × fuel price per liter. Example: 15,000 km at 7 L/100 km at €1.80/L = 150 × 7 × 1.80 = €1,890.
The EU target of 93.6 g CO₂/km corresponds to about 4.0 L/100 km for gasoline (41.6 g CO₂/L) and 3.5 L/100 km for diesel.
Roboculator Team
The Roboculator Team explains calculations, planning tools, and practical formulas in clear language for real-life situations.
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