Convert Kilometers per Liter to Liters per Mile - Fuel Economy Converter
This converter transforms fuel economy expressed as kilometers per liter (km/L) into liters per mile (L/mi). It is useful when comparing vehicles or fuel usage across metric and imperial distance units without changing the underlying fuel volume unit (liters).
The conversion is exact using the international statute mile definition (1 mile = 1.609344 kilometers). Results are best interpreted with awareness of measurement uncertainty (odometer rounding, tank fill accuracy, and testing vs real-world driving).
Governance
Record 706504d0e2f0 • Reviewed by Fidamen Standards Committee
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Methodology
We use the international statute mile (1 mi = 1.609344 km) as defined by national measurement authorities and convert by inverting km per liter to get liters per kilometer, then scaling to liters per mile.
This approach is purely mathematical and deterministic. For real-world fuel-economy assessment, consult laboratory or agency test procedures (for example, EPA or DOE guidance) because observed values can differ from steady-state or laboratory measurements due to driving conditions and instrumentation limits.
Worked examples
Example 1: 15.0 km/L → L/mi = 1.609344 ÷ 15.0 = 0.1072896 L/mi (≈ 0.1073 L/mi).
Example 2: 8.0 km/L → L/mi = 1.609344 ÷ 8.0 = 0.201168 L/mi (≈ 0.2012 L/mi).
F.A.Q.
What is the exact relationship between km/L and L/mi?
The exact relationship is L/mi = 1.609344 ÷ (km/L). The factor 1.609344 is the exact number of kilometers in an international statute mile.
Why use 1.609344 rather than an approximate mile value?
1.609344 km per mile is the internationally accepted exact definition used by national measurement laboratories. Using the exact value avoids small systematic errors when comparing fuel economy across unit systems.
How should I round results for reporting?
Round according to your use case: two to four significant digits are common for consumer reporting (e.g., 0.1073 L/mi). For engineering or regulatory submissions follow the stated precision in the test method (refer to agency guidance such as DOE/EPA).
How does instrument and measurement error affect conversions?
The conversion itself is exact, but input uncertainty (odometer error, fuel fill accuracy, temperature effects on volume) propagates to the output. For typical vehicle tank-filling methods, expect real-world uncertainty of 1–3% unless using precision test equipment.
How do I convert km/L to other common fuel-economy units (for example, L/100km or mpg)?
To convert to L/100km: L/100km = 100 ÷ (km/L). To convert to miles per gallon, convert km/L to mi/L by multiplying km/L by 0.62137119223733, then multiply mi/L by the number of liters per gallon (use the correct gallon definition for US or imperial).
Sources & citations
- NIST Reference: Values and Units — https://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Units/index.html
- U.S. Department of Energy — Fuel Economy Information — https://www.fueleconomy.gov
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Green Vehicle Guide and Testing Procedures — https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles
- ISO 80000-3:2019 — Space and time — https://www.iso.org/standard/64974.html
- NIST SP 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units — https://www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-811
Further resources
Related tools
Versioning & Change Control
Audit record (versions, QA runs, reviewer sign-off, and evidence).
Record ID: 706504d0e2f0What changed (latest)
v1.0.0 • 2025-11-20 • MINOR
Initial publication and governance baseline.
Why: Published with reviewed formulas, unit definitions, and UX controls.
Public QA status
PASS — golden 25 + edge 120
Last run: 2026-01-23 • Run: golden-edge-2026-01-23
Versioning & Change Control
Audit record (versions, QA runs, reviewer sign-off, and evidence).
What changed (latest)
v1.0.0 • 2025-11-20 • MINOR
Initial publication and governance baseline.
Why: Published with reviewed formulas, unit definitions, and UX controls.
Public QA status
PASS — golden 25 + edge 120
Last run: 2026-01-23 • Run: golden-edge-2026-01-23
Engine
v1.0.0
Data
Baseline (no external datasets)
Content
v1.0.0
UI
v1.0.0
Governance
Last updated: Nov 20, 2025
Reviewed by: Fidamen Standards Committee (Review board)
Credentials: Internal QA
Risk level: low
Reviewer profile (entity)
Fidamen Standards Committee
Review board
Internal QA
Entity ID: https://fidamen.com/reviewers/fidamen-standards-committee#person
Semantic versioning
- MAJOR: Calculation outputs can change for the same inputs (formula, rounding policy, assumptions).
- MINOR: New features or fields that do not change existing outputs for the same inputs.
- PATCH: Bug fixes, copy edits, or accessibility changes that do not change intended outputs except for previously incorrect cases.
Review protocol
- Verify formulas and unit definitions against primary standards or datasets.
- Run golden-case regression suite and edge-case suite.
- Record reviewer sign-off with credentials and scope.
- Document assumptions, limitations, and jurisdiction applicability.
Assumptions & limitations
- Uses exact unit definitions from the Fidamen conversion library.
- Internal calculations use double precision; display rounding follows the unit's configured decimal places.
- Not a substitute for calibrated instruments in regulated contexts.
- Jurisdiction-specific rules may require official guidance.
Change log
v1.0.0 • 2025-11-20 • MINOR
Initial publication and governance baseline.
Why: Published with reviewed formulas, unit definitions, and UX controls.
Areas: engine, content, ui • Reviewer: Fidamen Standards Committee • Entry ID: 1e02a41bc3cf