Understanding fuel consumption figures
| Vehicle type | Typical consumption |
|---|---|
| Small hatchback / compact car | ~5 – 6.5 L/100km |
| Mid-size sedan | ~6.5 – 8.5 L/100km |
| SUV / crossover | ~8 – 11 L/100km |
| Pickup truck / large SUV | ~11 – 15 L/100km |
- Real-world fuel consumption varies with driving style, terrain, load, tire condition and traffic conditions, and typically differs from official/laboratory-rated figures.
- This calculator assumes a constant fuel price and consumption rate for the entire trip; long trips crossing regions with different fuel prices will vary from this estimate.
What does a fuel cost calculator do?
A fuel cost calculator converts a trip's distance and a vehicle's fuel consumption rate into the amount of fuel required, then multiplies by the fuel price to estimate the total cost. Fuel consumption is entered here in liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km), the standard metric convention, which is the inverse relationship of the more familiar 'miles per gallon' figure used in some countries.
The calculator also divides the total cost by the number of people sharing the trip, useful for splitting costs on a carpool or road trip, and reports a standardized cost per 100 km that makes it easy to compare fuel cost across different trip lengths, vehicles or fuel prices.
How to use this fuel cost calculator
- Enter the total trip distance in kilometers.
- Enter the vehicle's fuel consumption in liters per 100 km — check your vehicle's spec sheet or trip computer for a realistic figure.
- Enter the current fuel price per liter.
- Enter the number of passengers sharing the fuel cost, if applicable.
- Read the total fuel needed, the total cost, the cost per person, and the standardized cost per 100 km.
The formula behind fuel cost
Fuel needed equals distance divided by 100, multiplied by the consumption rate in L/100km. Total cost equals fuel needed multiplied by the fuel price per liter. Cost per person divides the total cost by the number of passengers, and cost per 100km standardizes the total cost to a fixed distance for comparison.
Worked example: a 400 km trip at 7.5 L/100km consumption needs (400 ÷ 100) × 7.5 = 30 liters of fuel. At $1.80 per liter, that costs 30 × $1.80 = $54 in total, or $13.50 per 100 km. Split between 4 passengers, the cost per person is $54 ÷ 4 = $13.50.
Common mistakes
- Entering a fuel consumption figure in miles-per-gallon terms into a field that expects L/100km, which will produce a nonsensical result.
- Using a manufacturer's official rated consumption figure without adjusting for real-world driving, which is often higher.
- Forgetting that cost per person only reflects the fuel cost, not other trip costs such as tolls, parking or vehicle wear.
- Mixing currency units between the fuel price entered and the expected cost output.
Sıkça Sorulan Sorular
How much fuel will a 400km trip cost?
At a consumption rate of 7.5 L/100km and a fuel price of $1.80 per liter, a 400 km trip needs 30 liters of fuel and costs about $54 in total, or $13.50 per 100 km.
How do I calculate fuel needed for a trip?
Divide the trip distance by 100, then multiply by the vehicle's consumption rate in liters per 100 km. A 400 km trip at 7.5 L/100km needs (400 ÷ 100) × 7.5 = 30 liters.
How do I split fuel cost between passengers?
Divide the total fuel cost by the number of people sharing the trip. A $54 total cost split between 4 passengers works out to $13.50 per person.
What is a typical fuel consumption rate?
It varies by vehicle type: small cars typically use around 5–6.5 L/100km, mid-size sedans around 6.5–8.5 L/100km, and SUVs around 8–11 L/100km, though real-world figures depend heavily on driving style and conditions.
Kaynaklar
- Standard L/100km fuel consumption convention used in metric-measurement countries for vehicle fuel economy labeling.
- Typical vehicle-class fuel consumption ranges reflect commonly published manufacturer and government fuel-economy rating data.