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Annual Fuel Cost Calculator

Estimate what you spend on fuel in a year and per month, from how far you drive, your car's fuel consumption and the fuel price.

kilometres per year

How far you drive in a typical year.

litres per 100 kilometres

Your car's average, e.g. from the trip computer.

per litre

In any currency. Results use the same currency.

Results

Annual fuel cost

1,657.50

In the same currency as your fuel price.

Monthly average
138.13
Cost per km
0.1105
Fuel per year
975 L

Annual fuel cost 1,657.50. Monthly average 138.13. Fuel per year 975 litres. Cost per kilometre 0.1105.

Formula

Fuel per year (L)
= annual distance (km) ÷ 100 × fuel consumption (L/100 km)
Annual fuel cost
= fuel per year (L) × fuel price per litre
Monthly average
= annual fuel cost ÷ 12
Cost per kilometre
= annual fuel cost ÷ annual distance (km)

This is the same calculation as a single trip, with a year's driving as the distance. The monthly figure is an average: months with holidays or long trips will cost more than others.

Worked example

You drive about 15,000 km a year in a car that uses 6.5 L/100 km, and fuel costs 1.70 per litre.

  1. Step 1: Fuel per year

    15,000 ÷ 100 × 6.5 = 975 L

  2. Step 2: Annual fuel cost

    975 × 1.70 = 1,657.50

  3. Step 3: Monthly average

    1,657.50 ÷ 12 = 138.13

  4. Step 4: Cost per kilometre

    1,657.50 ÷ 15,000 = 0.1105

A year of driving uses about 975 litres of fuel and costs 1,657.50, an average of 138.13 a month or 0.1105 per kilometre, in whichever currency the price was given.

How to estimate your annual distance

The result depends most on the distance you enter, so it is worth getting a realistic figure:

  • Odometer readings: compare the reading now with one from a year ago, for example on a service record or inspection certificate.
  • Build it up: multiply your weekly commute distance by the weeks you work, then add regular trips and a typical holiday.
  • Newer car: if you have only owned it for a few months, divide the distance so far by the number of months and multiply by 12.

Using the results for a budget

The monthly average is a useful figure for a household budget or for setting aside money for fuel. Actual spending will rise and fall with the seasons, holidays and changes in fuel prices.

Fuel prices change over time, so it can help to run the calculation at a few different prices to see how sensitive your budget is to them.

What this does not include

The result covers fuel only. Insurance, maintenance, tyres, tax, parking, tolls and depreciation are all part of the cost of running a car but are not included here.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate my annual fuel cost?

Divide your annual distance in kilometres by 100, multiply by your car's L/100 km to get the litres you use in a year, then multiply by the price per litre. For example, 15,000 km at 6.5 L/100 km uses 975 litres, which costs 1,657.50 at 1.70 per litre.

How do I work out my monthly fuel cost?

Divide the annual fuel cost by 12. This gives an average month; the months in which you drive more will cost more.

Which currency does the calculator use?

Any currency. Enter the fuel price in your local currency per litre, and every cost result is in that same currency. The calculator does not convert between currencies.

How can I compare the annual fuel cost of two cars?

Use the fuel savings calculator. It takes the same annual distance and fuel price and shows the yearly fuel and cost difference between two consumption figures.

Can I use miles or MPG?

This calculator uses kilometres and L/100 km. Convert miles to kilometres by multiplying by 1.609344, and US MPG to L/100 km with the MPG to L/100 km converter.

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