MPG Calculator

An online MPG calculator assists you to determine fuel consumption per gallon of a car. Since you are planning a trip, now you will probably desire to know how many miles per gallon you need before you start your journey. Whether you are curious about your gas mileage throughout a particular distance, you can use our gas MPG calculator to perform calculations swiftly.

What is MPG (miles per gallon)?

“MPG (Miles Per Gallon) is the key measure of a car's fuel efficiency while driving.”

Simply put, MPG shows the distance a vehicle can travel per gallon of fuel. The higher the MPG, the more fuel-efficient the car is. You can also check your vehicle’s fuel efficiency using our Gas Calculator.

How to Calculate MPG?

Official fuel economy data is usually calculated based on WLTP testing (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure), which is conducted in a lab to simulate real-world driving conditions. To find out the actual MPG of your car while driving, many modern vehicles display current MPG directly on the driver’s display system.

MPG Formula:

Imperial system:

MPG = Distance traveled (miles) / Fuel consumed (gallons)

Metric system:

MPG = (Distance traveled in km) ÷ (Fuel consumed in litres) × 100

Example:

Suppose a car returns 70 MPG, and its fuel tank contains one gallon of petrol or diesel. In this case, the car can travel 70 miles before it runs out of fuel.

However, it is much easier and more accurate to use our online Miles Per Gallon Calculator, which applies the same formula to provide instant and precise calculations.

Why Do Cars Have Multiple MPG Figures?

WLTP tests simulate different driving conditions in separate “phases,” so each phase produces its own MPG figure. The combined figure is an average across all phases. Here are the typical phases you’ll see:

Low Speed: Urban driving at speeds up to 56.5 km/h (≈35 mph).

Medium Speed: Suburban driving at speeds up to 76.6 km/h (≈48 mph).

High Speed: Rural driving at speeds up to 97.4 km/h (≈61 mph).

Extra High Speed: Motorway driving at speeds up to 131.3 km/h (≈82 mph).

Combined Speed: This is a mixture of all the above phases and is usually the most prominently advertised figure.

Additionally, you can estimate the fuel cost for a trip based on distance, your car’s fuel efficiency, and fuel prices using our miles per gallon calculator.

Solved Example:

Suppose a car covers a distance of 14 km, consumes 5 litres of fuel, and the fuel price is $60 per litre. Let’s calculate the miles per gallon (MPG) and fuel cost per gallon.

Given:

Distance = 14 km
Fuel used = 5 litres
Fuel price = $60 per litre

Solution:

Convert fuel used into US gallons: 5 litres ≈ 1.32 gallons (rounded)
Convert distance into miles: 14 km ≈ 8.7 miles
Miles per gallon (MPG) = Distance (miles) ÷ Fuel (gallons) = 8.7 ÷ 1.32 ≈ 6.6 MPG
Fuel cost per gallon = Fuel price × litres per gallon = $60 × 3.785 ≈ $227.10 per gallon

How the MPG Calculator Works:

Our online Miles Per Gallon calculator is user-friendly and provides quick, accurate results based on your inputs. Here’s how it works:

Input:

Simple calculation:

Distance (with selectable units: km, miles)
Fuel used (litres or gallons)
Fuel economy (optional units)

Advanced calculation:

Trip start and end distances
Fuel used (in various units)
Fuel price (in various units)

After entering the values, simply click the “Calculate” button.

Output:

Distance traveled (in chosen units)
Fuel economy (MPG or L/100km)
Total fuel cost for the trip

FAQ’s – Miles Per Gallon (MPG)

What is a good MPG?

A good MPG depends on the type of car and fuel used, but in general, the higher the MPG, the more fuel-efficient the vehicle.

Can my driving style affect my car’s MPG?

Yes. Smooth driving improves MPG, while aggressive acceleration, rapid braking, and jerky driving reduce fuel efficiency.

Is 42 MPG good?

Yes, 42 MPG is considered good. Historically, normal petrol cars ranged around 35-40 MPG, while modern efficient vehicles can achieve 50-55 MPG.

Are 31 miles per gallon good?

Yes, for older petrol vehicles or non-hybrid cars, 31 MPG is acceptable. Hybrid cars like the Prius can reach 60 MPG, but 30+ MPG is still considered good.

What car has the best MPG?

Some of the most fuel-efficient midsized cars include:

Rank	Make & Model	Highway MPG
1	Honda Accord Hybrid EX	52
2	Toyota Camry Hybrid LE	53
3	Hyundai Sonata Hybrid SEL	51
4	Kia K5 LXS	52

Does any car get 50 MPG?

Modern cars achieving 50 MPG or more are still rare. Most of these use hybrid systems, electricity, or alternative fuels rather than relying solely on gasoline.

What car gets 65 MPG?

Ford’s ECOnetic Fiesta is a modern car that can achieve approximately 65 MPG under EPA testing conditions.

Are 25 miles per gallon good?

Generally, a vehicle with at least 23 MPG combined (city + highway) is considered acceptable. Below this, fuel efficiency is considered poor.

Is it possible to get 70 MPG?

Yes. Modern hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrids can reach 70-80 MPG under ideal driving conditions.

What is a good MPG for a used car?

For a used vehicle, a good MPG is at least 35 MPG. The average MPG for cars around 2020 models is approximately 25.7 MPG.

Conclusion:

When buying a car, understanding MPG is crucial as it directly impacts fuel costs and efficiency. Higher MPG indicates better fuel economy. To calculate your vehicle’s MPG quickly and accurately, use our MPG Calculator. This tool also helps estimate fuel expenses based on distance traveled and current fuel prices.

References:

Carwow: MPG meaning – Are MPG figures realistic?
Car and Driver: What Is MPG? – How Is Fuel Economy Calculated?