Calculate miles per gallon by dividing miles traveled by gallons used.
How the Fuel Efficiency Calculator Works

The Fuel Efficiency Calculator is a practical tool used to calculate how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel by dividing the distance traveled by the amount of fuel consumed. This is a valuable tool for understanding a vehicle’s performance, managing fuel costs, and reducing environmental impact.
How Fuel Efficiency is Calculated
The formula to calculate fuel efficiency is:
Fuel Efficiency = Distance Traveled ÷ Fuel Consumed
Components of the Formula:
- Fuel Efficiency: The distance covered per unit of fuel, usually measured in miles per gallon (mpg) or kilometers per liter (km/L).
- Distance Traveled: The total distance covered, measured in miles or kilometers.
- Fuel Consumed: The total fuel used, measured in gallons or liters.
Steps to Use the Calculator:
- Input the distance traveled.
- Input the fuel consumed.
- Divide the distance by the fuel consumption to calculate fuel efficiency.
Applications of Fuel Efficiency Calculation
Understanding fuel efficiency is essential for:
- Evaluating a vehicle’s performance.
- Estimating fuel costs for trips.
- Comparing the efficiency of different vehicles.
- Promoting eco-friendly driving habits.
10 Examples for Teachers
Here are 10 simple examples to help teach fuel efficiency calculations:
Example 1: Car Trip
Distance: 300 miles
Fuel Consumed: 10 gallons
Solution: Fuel Efficiency = 300 ÷ 10 = 30 mpg
Example 2: Family Road Trip
Distance: 450 kilometers
Fuel Consumed: 30 liters
Solution: Fuel Efficiency = 450 ÷ 30 = 15 km/L
Example 3: Motorcycle Ride
Distance: 200 miles
Fuel Consumed: 4 gallons
Solution: Fuel Efficiency = 200 ÷ 4 = 50 mpg
Example 4: Delivery Truck
Distance: 500 kilometers
Fuel Consumed: 50 liters
Solution: Fuel Efficiency = 500 ÷ 50 = 10 km/L
Example 5: SUV
Distance: 250 miles
Fuel Consumed: 12.5 gallons
Solution: Fuel Efficiency = 250 ÷ 12.5 = 20 mpg
Example 6: City Commute
Distance: 30 kilometers
Fuel Consumed: 2 liters
Solution: Fuel Efficiency = 30 ÷ 2 = 15 km/L
Example 7: Electric Car Equivalent
Distance: 400 miles
Fuel Consumed: 20 gallons equivalent
Solution: Fuel Efficiency = 400 ÷ 20 = 20 mpg-e
Example 8: Long-Distance Bus
Distance: 600 kilometers
Fuel Consumed: 100 liters
Solution: Fuel Efficiency = 600 ÷ 100 = 6 km/L
Example 9: Compact Car
Distance: 320 miles
Fuel Consumed: 8 gallons
Solution: Fuel Efficiency = 320 ÷ 8 = 40 mpg
Example 10: Tractor
Distance: 100 kilometers
Fuel Consumed: 20 liters
Solution: Fuel Efficiency = 100 ÷ 20 = 5 km/L
Helpful Resources
- Fuel Economy – Official Government Resource – Information on vehicle fuel efficiency.
- Khan Academy – Energy and Work – Learn about energy and fuel efficiency.
- Math is Fun – Unit Conversion – Useful for fuel efficiency calculations.
- CK-12 – Open Educational Resources – Lessons on physics and math.
- Study.com – Mileage Calculator – Tools for fuel and distance calculations.