One litre of petrol
One litre of petrol is a standard quantity of liquid fuel used in combustion engines.
How big is it?
34 MJ · energy
Energy · defined energy model
A little perspective
One litre of petrol vs A 10 kWh day: energy comparison
The energy of a 10 kWh day is about 1.06 times the energy of one litre of petrol.
ENERGY STORED OR TRANSFERRED
One litre of petrol is a standard quantity of liquid fuel used in combustion engines.
This is the amount of electrical energy consumed by a household over the course of one day.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
One litre of petrol
Energy: 34 MJ; defined energy model.
A rounded 34 MJ lower-heating-value model; fuel composition and conditions affect the value.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked energy is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
A 10 kWh day
Energy: 36 MJ; defined energy model.
A chosen daily electrical-energy example. Household use differs widely.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked energy is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 34 MJ
We compare the energy of one litre of petrol. This is an illustrative comparison value, not a claim that every example is the same.
A rounded 34 MJ lower-heating-value model; fuel composition and conditions affect the value.
The picture identifies the subject; the diagram compares the recorded values. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 MJ | Not recorded | defined energy model |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valueEnergyA 2,000 kcal food day8.368 MJEnergyDaily food energy is the chemical energy a person obtains from all food and drink consumed over a day.
Nearest higher valueEnergyA 10 kWh day36 MJEnergyThis is the amount of electrical energy consumed by a household over the course of one day.Sources and method
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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
EnergyFood kilocalorie4.184 kJA food kilocalorie is the energy needed to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water by one degree Celsius, used to express food energy.
EnergyPhone battery54 kJA phone battery stores electrical energy to power a mobile phone.
EnergyElectric car battery216 MJAn electric car battery stores energy to power an electric vehicle.
EnergyOne second of sunlight3.828 × 10¹¹ PJThe total energy emitted by the Sun in all directions over one second.EnergyA 10 kWh day36 MJThis is the amount of electrical energy consumed by a household over the course of one day.EnergyA 2,000 kcal food day8.368 MJDaily food energy is the chemical energy a person obtains from all food and drink consumed over a day.
EnergyLightning energy model1 GJA lightning energy model represents the total energy released during a single lightning discharge.
EnergyHeat one litre of water334.4 kJHeating one litre of water is the energy required to raise the temperature of a standard amount of water to near boiling.