Fuel Price Breakdown Calculator
Ever wondered where your money goes when you fill up? Use our calculator to see the costs that make up the price of petrol and diesel in the UK.
Your Petrol Price Breakdown @ 135.67p/litre
Wholesale & Retail: 60.11p
Fuel Duty: 52.95p
VAT: 22.61p
Government gets 75.56p per litre.
Industry gets 60.11p per litre.
Petrol vs. Diesel Comparison
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the cost breakdown for a typical litre of petrol and diesel, based on average UK prices in March 2026.
Petrol @ 135.67p/litre
Wholesale & Retail: 60.11p
Fuel Duty: 52.95p
VAT: 22.61p
Government gets 75.56p per litre.
Industry gets 60.11p per litre.
Diesel @ 149.01p/litre
Wholesale & Retail: 71.22p
Fuel Duty: 52.95p
VAT: 24.83p
Government gets 77.78p per litre.
Industry gets 71.22p per litre.
| Component | Petrol (135.67p) | Diesel (149.01p) |
|---|---|---|
| Wholesale, Refining & Retail | 60.11p | 71.22p |
| Fuel Duty | 52.95p | 52.95p |
| VAT (20%) | 22.61p | 24.83p |
| Total Pump Price | 135.67p | 149.01p |
Understanding UK Fuel Prices
The price you pay at the pump is more than just the cost of the fuel itself. It is a combination of several components, each contributing a different amount to the final total. At Calculator Site, we believe in making these costs transparent.
This is the core cost of the product. It includes the price of crude oil on international markets, the expense of refining it into usable petrol or diesel, and the costs and profits for the distribution companies and the local petrol station. This portion is the most volatile, changing with global markets. You can explore how crude oil prices impact your wallet.
The "Tax on Tax" Effect
Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged at 20% on the total price of the fuel, which includes both the cost of the fuel and the Fuel Duty. This means you are effectively paying a tax on a tax, which is why the VAT amount increases as the pump price goes up. This is a crucial factor to understand when looking at your take-home pay.
The Key Components of the Pump Price
The final price at the pump is a combination of the actual fuel cost and two major UK taxes: Fuel Duty and Value Added Tax (VAT). Understanding these is key to knowing where your money goes.
52.95p
Fixed Fuel Duty per litre
20%
VAT on total price
~60%
Of pump price is tax
How to use this Calculator Site tool
Use the slider at the top to set the current petrol price per litre. The charts and tables will automatically update to show you exactly how much of that price goes towards the actual fuel, how much is Fuel Duty, and how much is VAT. The tool also provides a comparison with a typical diesel price to give you a broader view of UK fuel costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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