A Japanese car manual shows 12 km/L. How do I compare that to a European car rated 8 L/100km?

12 km/L = 100 ÷ 12 ≈ 8.3 L/100km. So the Japanese car (8.3 L/100km) is slightly less efficient than the European car (8 L/100km). Very close—nearly equivalent.

Which is more efficient: 8 km/L or 15 L/100km?

8 km/L = 100 ÷ 8 = 12.5 L/100km. So 15 L/100km is less efficient (consumes more fuel per 100 km). The 8 km/L car is better.

Why do countries use different fuel economy metrics?

Historical reasons. The US uses MPG (miles per gallon), giving higher numbers for better cars. Europe uses L/100km (lower is better) because it directly shows fuel consumption cost. Asia uses km/L. All measure efficiency differently, but express the same relationship. Compare across regions with [km/L to MPG](/fuel/kml-to-mpg/).

My car gets 18 km/L on the highway. If fuel costs €1.50/L, how much does it cost per 100 km?

18 km/L = 100 ÷ 18 ≈ 5.56 L/100km. Cost per 100 km = 5.56 L × €1.50/L = €8.33. You spend €8.33 to drive 100 km.

Km per Liter to Liters per 100km Converter

Enter a value to instantly convert between fuel economy units.

From

Precision4 dp

1 Km per Liter = 100 Liters per 100km

Key Formulas

MPG (US) → Liters per 100km

L/100km = mpg × 235.215

Liters per 100km → MPG (US)

mpg = L/100km × 235.215

Km per Liter → MPG (US)

mpg = km/L × 2.35215

MPG (US) → Km per Liter

km/L = mpg × 0.425144

Formula

L/100km = 100 ÷ km/L

Kilometers per liter (km/L) and liters per 100 km (L/100km) both measure fuel efficiency, but they invert the relationship. Higher km/L is better; lower L/100km is better. Asia and some regions use km/L; Europe and Australia prefer L/100km. This is an inverse conversion—you divide 100 by km/L to get L/100km, not multiply. Understanding both metrics is essential when comparing vehicles internationally or evaluating fuel costs across different measurement systems.

Source: NIST SP 811, Table B.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Real-World Examples

5 km/L = 20 L/100km. A car consuming 20 liters per 100 km is typical for an older SUV or truck.

5 km/L = 20 L/100km

10 km/L = 10 L/100km. A point where both metrics equal—a useful reference for mental conversion.

10 km/L = 10 L/100km

15 km/L ≈ 6.7 L/100km. A reasonably efficient European car or modern sedan.

15 km/L = 6.67 L/100km

20 km/L = 5 L/100km. Excellent efficiency—typical of hybrid vehicles or eco-conscious driving.

20 km/L = 5 L/100km

mpg to l per 100km l per 100km to mpg kml to mpg mpg to kml

Km per Liter to Liters per 100km Converter

Key Formulas

Formula

Frequently Asked Questions

Real-World Examples

Related Converters