What does L/100 km mean?
Learn how fuel economy is measured and how to estimate what your driving costs.
Lower L/100 km means less fuel used
Unlike MPG, where a larger number represents better efficiency, L/100 km works in the opposite direction. A vehicle rated at 6.5 L/100 km uses fewer litres over the same distance than one rated at 10.0 L/100 km. That makes the number useful for estimating real fuel spending.
Convert efficiency into money
Fuel economy becomes more meaningful when you connect it to your own driving. Divide your annual kilometres by 100, multiply by L/100 km, then multiply by the price per litre. That turns a technical efficiency rating into a yearly budget number.
At $1.60 per litre, that example would be about $1,920 per year. Use your own price and distance because both can change the result substantially.
Why your dashboard may not match the published rating
Traffic, short trips, cold starts, winter conditions, tires, hills, speed, idling and cargo can all affect real consumption. Published ratings are useful for comparing vehicles under a consistent test, while your own long-term average is usually more useful for personal budgeting.
Compare fuel economy in context
A more efficient car can save money on fuel, but that does not automatically make it the cheapest vehicle overall. Compare financing, insurance, maintenance and depreciation too. Use the fuel cost calculator for the fuel piece and the car comparison calculator for the broader decision.
What is L/100 km?
L/100 km means litres of fuel used to travel 100 kilometres.
It is one of the most common ways fuel economy is shown in Canada.
Is a lower number better?
Yes. A lower L/100 km number means the vehicle uses less fuel to travel the same distance.
For example, a car rated at 6 L/100 km generally uses less fuel than a vehicle rated at 10 L/100 km.
Simple example
Suppose your car averages 8 L/100 km.
If you drive 100 km, the vehicle would use approximately 8 litres of fuel.
If you drive 50 km, it would use approximately 4 litres.
How do you calculate fuel used?
You can estimate fuel usage by dividing the distance travelled by 100 and multiplying that number by your vehicle's L/100 km.
For example, if you drive 250 km in a vehicle averaging 8 L/100 km:
250 ÷ 100 = 2.5
2.5 × 8 = 20 litres
The trip would use approximately 20 litres of fuel.
How do you calculate the cost?
Once you know how many litres the trip uses, multiply that amount by the price per litre.
If the trip uses 20 litres and fuel costs $1.50 per litre:
20 × $1.50 = $30
Your estimated fuel cost would be $30.
City and highway fuel economy
Vehicles often have different city and highway fuel economy ratings.
Stop-and-go driving generally uses more fuel than steady highway driving, so city L/100 km is often higher.
Why your real fuel economy may be different
The number shown for your vehicle is an estimate. Your actual fuel consumption can change depending on how and where you drive.
Traffic, cold weather, idling, acceleration, tire pressure, vehicle load and air conditioning can all affect fuel consumption.
L/100 km compared with MPG
In the United States, fuel economy is commonly shown as miles per gallon, or MPG.
The two systems work in opposite directions: with L/100 km, lower is better. With MPG, higher is better.
Try the fuel cost calculator
Use the DriveMath Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate fuel used and cost per trip, month or year.
Useful before you buy
This page is part of a broader decision framework: calculators for the math, research guides for the trade-offs and interactive tools for narrowing the shortlist.
Context around the numbers
DriveMath aims to explain why a result matters, not just show a figure. That is why most pages include assumptions, limitations and related next steps.
How to go deeper
Use the methodology, editorial standards and car finder to continue the research instead of relying on one page alone.