Convert L/100 km to mpg
To convert L/100 km to mpg, divide 235.215 by the L/100 km figure. It turns European, Canadian and Australian fuel-consumption figures into the miles per gallon used in the US. This liters per 100km to mpg converter works both ways: type L/100 km or mpg into either box above and the other box, the worked formula and the chart below update as you type.
Liters per 100 kilometers (L/100 km) is the amount of fuel a vehicle uses to travel 100 km, so a lower number is better. It is the official fuel-consumption measure in Europe, Canada and Australia. A car using 8 L/100 km achieves 29.4 mpg in US units, and halving the consumption doubles the mpg.
Miles per gallon (mpg) is the distance a vehicle travels on one gallon of fuel, so a higher number is better. US mpg uses the 3.785-liter US gallon; UK mpg uses the larger 4.546-liter imperial gallon. Because mpg is distance per fuel rather than fuel per distance, 30 mpg works out at 7.84 L/100 km. Window stickers on new US cars show mpg for city, highway and combined driving.
How to convert liters per 100km to mpg with this tool
- Type a number into the Liters per 100 km (L/100 km) box — it starts at 6 L/100 km as an example.
- Read the answer in the US miles per gallon (mpg) box and in the result panel, which also shows the formula with your number.
- To go the other way, type into the mpg box, or press the swap button to open the MPG to L/100 km converter with your value carried over.
- Choose how many decimal places you want, or tap a quick value such as 3 L/100 km, 4.5 L/100 km, 5 L/100 km.
- Press Copy result to paste the conversion into a message, spreadsheet or note.
L/100 km to MPG converter features
Converts both ways
Type in the L/100 km box to get mpg, or in the mpg box to get L/100 km. The other box follows instantly.
Exact factor
Calculations use the full constant 235.2145833… (100 × 3.785411784 ÷ 1.609344), and rounding is applied only to the answer you see — choose Auto or 0–10 decimal places.
Formula with your number
The working is shown under the result, for example 235.215 ÷ 6 = 39.2 mpg, so you can check it or copy the method.
Quick values and chart
Tap common values like 3 L/100 km, 4.5 L/100 km, 5 L/100 km, or read the L/100 km-to-mpg table further down this page.
UK mpg as well
The answer is also shown in UK mpg, which uses the larger imperial gallon.
L/100 km to MPG formula
The formula is mpg = 235.215 ÷ L/100 km. It is exact because a US gallon is exactly 3.785411784 L and a mile exactly 1.609344 km, so the constant is 100 × 3.785411784 ÷ 1.609344 = 235.2145833… (the calculator uses the full value).
The reverse formula is L/100 km = 235.215 ÷ mpg — or use the MPG to L/100 km converter. Three worked examples:
- A 6 L/100 km hatchback: 235.215 ÷ 6 = 39.2 mpg
- An 8 L/100 km family car: 235.215 ÷ 8 = 29.4 mpg
- A 4.5 L/100 km hybrid: 235.215 ÷ 4.5 = 52.27 mpg
Why mpg and L/100 km move in opposite directions
Miles per gallon is distance per unit of fuel, so bigger is better. Liters per 100 km is fuel per unit of distance, so smaller is better. Because one is the reciprocal of the other, the conversion is a division rather than a multiplication, using the constant 235.214583 = 100 × 3.785411784 ÷ 1.609344 for US gallons.
With UK (imperial) gallons the constant is 282.480936, so UK and US mpg figures are not interchangeable: 8 L/100 km = 29.4 mpg with US gallons, but 8 L/100 km = 35.31 UK mpg with UK gallons.
L/100 km to MPG quick reference
The values people look up most often, worked out with the exact factor:
- 1 L/100 km = 235.215 mpg
- 1 mpg = 235.215 L/100 km
- 3 L/100 km = 78.4 mpg
- 4.5 L/100 km = 52.27 mpg
- 5 L/100 km = 47.04 mpg
- 6 L/100 km = 39.2 mpg
Quick tip: Divide 235.2 by the L/100 km figure for US mpg, or 282.5 for UK mpg: 7 L/100 km ≈ 33.6 mpg (US).
Related conversions: the full fuel economy converter.
L/100 km to MPG conversion table
Values in mpg are rounded to 2 decimal places (more for very small numbers). For any value not listed, type it into the converter above.
| L/100 km | mpg | L/100 km | mpg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 117.61 | 9 | 26.13 |
| 3 | 78.4 | 9.5 | 24.76 |
| 3.5 | 67.2 | 10 | 23.52 |
| 4 | 58.8 | 11 | 21.38 |
| 4.5 | 52.27 | 12 | 19.6 |
| 5 | 47.04 | 13 | 18.09 |
| 5.5 | 42.77 | 14 | 16.8 |
| 6 | 39.2 | 15 | 15.68 |
| 6.5 | 36.19 | 16 | 14.7 |
| 7 | 33.6 | 18 | 13.07 |
| 7.5 | 31.36 | 20 | 11.76 |
| 8 | 29.4 | 25 | 9.41 |
| 8.5 | 27.67 |
L/100 km to MPG FAQ
What is 5 L/100 km in mpg?
5 liters per 100 km is 47.04 miles per gallon: 235.215 ÷ 5 = 47.04 mpg.
How do I convert liters per 100km to mpg?
Divide 235.215 by the L/100 km figure. For example, 235.215 ÷ 10 = 23.52 mpg. To convert back, divide 235.215 by the mpg figure — the same formula, because the conversion is a reciprocal — or use the MPG to L/100 km converter.
What is 30 mpg in L/100 km?
30 miles per gallon is 7.84 liters per 100 km, because 235.215 ÷ 30 = 7.84 L/100 km.
What does 10 L/100 km equal in mpg?
What is 5 L/100 km in UK mpg?
5 L/100 km = 47.04 mpg in US mpg, or about 56.5 mpg in imperial (UK) mpg, because the UK gallon is larger.