Miles per gallon (MPG) and kilometers per liter (Kmpl) are two common ways to measure a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. You’ll usually see MPG in the United States and the United Kingdom, while Kmpl is more common in countries that use the metric system.
If you want to understand and compare fuel efficiency across different regions or vehicles, you’ll need to know how to convert between MPG and Kmpl. This article explains exactly how to do that and helps you understand the relationship between the two measurements.
Understanding MPG and Kmpl
Fuel efficiency is generally measured in miles per gallon (MPG) or kilometers per liter (Kmpl).
What is MPG?
Miles per gallon tells you how many miles a vehicle can travel on one gallon of fuel. Keep in mind that a U.S. gallon and a U.K. gallon are different sizes: a U.K. gallon is equal to 4.54609 liters, while a U.S. gallon equals 3.78541 liters.
What is Kmpl?
Kilometers per liter measures the number of kilometers a vehicle can travel using one liter of fuel. Some people find Kmpl easier to understand and calculate than MPG.
Conversion Formulas
So, how do you convert miles per gallon to kilometers per liter? Here are the formulas you’ll need:
MPG (US) to Kmpl
To convert from miles per gallon in the U.S. system to kilometers per liter, multiply your MPG number by 0.425144.
Kmpl = MPG (US) x 0.425144
For example, let’s say your car gets 30 MPG (US). In that case:
Kmpl = 30 x 0.425144 = 12.75 Kmpl
Kmpl to MPG (US)
To convert from kilometers per liter to miles per gallon in the U.S. system, multiply your Kmpl number by 2.352145.
MPG (US) = Kmpl x 2.352145
For example, let’s say your car gets 10 Kmpl. In that case:
MPG (US) = 10 x 2.352145 = 23.52 MPG (US)
MPG (UK) to Kmpl
Converting from miles per gallon in the British system to kilometers per liter is a little more complex, since it involves converting to U.S. gallons first. Keep in mind that you’ll end up with a different Kmpl value than you would if you started with MPG (US).
Conversion Tables
Need to quickly convert between MPG and kmpl? These handy tables will help.
MPG (US) to Kmpl Conversion
| MPG (US) | Kmpl |
|---|---|
| 10 | 4.25 |
| 20 | 8.50 |
| 30 | 12.75 |
| 40 | 17.00 |
| 50 | 21.26 |
Kmpl to MPG (US) Conversion
| Kmpl | MPG (US) |
|---|---|
| 5 | 11.76 |
| 10 | 23.52 |
| 15 | 35.28 |
| 20 | 47.04 |
| 25 | 58.80 |
How to Use the Tables
Simply find the value you have (either MPG or kmpl) in the left column, and the corresponding value in the other unit will be in the right column. These tables are designed for quick estimations.
What affects fuel efficiency?
Many things can affect your car’s MPG, including:
- Driving habits: Slamming on the brakes, driving fast, and other aggressive behaviors will lower your MPG.
- Vehicle maintenance: Keeping your tires inflated and getting regular oil changes will help.
- Road conditions: Hills and stop-and-go traffic are the enemy.
- Environmental factors: Even things like temperature and wind can change how much fuel you burn.
In Summary
Understanding the relationship between MPG and kmpl is crucial if you want to compare fuel efficiency across different countries and car models. Keep in mind that 1 MPG is roughly equivalent to 0.425 kmpl.
Use the formulas and tables in this article to easily convert between these two units. Choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle is good for the environment and your wallet, so make sure you compare MPG and kmpl when you’re shopping for a new car.