Kilometers per Liter (km/L) - Unit Information & Conversion

Definition

Kilometers per Liter (km/L) is a unit of fuel efficiency within the metric system. It quantifies the distance in kilometers that a vehicle can travel for every liter of fuel consumed. A higher value indicates better fuel economy.

History

The adoption of Kilometers per Liter as a standard measure of fuel efficiency coincided with the widespread global adoption of the metric system for measuring both distance (kilometers) and volume (liters). It provides a direct and intuitive understanding of fuel economy in metric-based societies, contrasting with volume-per-distance measures like L/100km or distance-per-volume using different units like MPG.

Common Uses

• Vehicle Specifications: Used by manufacturers to state fuel economy in regions using the metric system (e.g., Europe, Japan, India, South America, Australia, Canada).
• Consumer Comparison: Allows consumers to easily compare the fuel efficiency of different vehicles using a straightforward "distance per unit fuel" metric.
• Government Regulations: Often used alongside L/100km in government standards and labeling for vehicle fuel economy and emissions.
• Trip Planning: Helps drivers estimate fuel consumption and costs for journeys based on their vehicle's rating.

Unit FAQs

Is a higher km/L value better?

Yes, a higher km/L value indicates better fuel efficiency. It means the vehicle can travel more kilometers using the same amount of fuel (one liter).

How do I convert km/L to L/100km?

To convert km/L to Liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km), divide 100 by the km/L value: L/100km = 100 / km/L. Note that for L/100km, a lower value indicates better fuel efficiency.

How do I convert km/L to MPG (US)?

To convert km/L to US Miles Per Gallon (MPG), multiply the km/L value by approximately 2.352: MPG (US) ≈ km/L * 2.352.

How do I convert km/L to MPG (Imperial)?

To convert km/L to Imperial Miles Per Gallon (MPG), used in the UK, multiply the km/L value by approximately 2.825: MPG (Imperial) ≈ km/L * 2.825.