Official figures — October 2026. These are the confirmed prices published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), effective Wednesday, 7 October 2026. Petrol 93 rose 312 c/l, petrol 95 rose 333 c/l, diesel 500ppm rose 284 c/l, diesel 50ppm rose 324 c/l and illuminating paraffin rose 358 c/l. The previous official prices took effect on 2 September 2026.
Finding the exact petrol price today can feel like hitting a moving target in South Africa, especially with monthly adjustments heavily dependent on global oil indices and currency shifts. To help you budget accurately and navigate pump variations across the country, this comprehensive tracker provides the verified, official fuel figures currently active across all South African zones.
Petrol Price Today: current price
As of the latest official directive issued by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), South African fuel users are enjoying a substantial financial breather at the pumps.
Following the latest regulated pricing cycle, the official cost for 95 Unleaded Petrol (Inland) stands at R30.25 per litre, while motorists in Coastal regions pay R29.38 per litre. This current structure became officially effective on Wednesday, 7 October 2026.
Important Regulatory Note: These figures represent the official retail prices set by the government for the current month. Unlike diesel, which operates under a partially deregulated wholesale pricing mechanism, petrol prices are fixed by law at the pump across South Africa’s distinct pricing zones.
Latest petrol and fuel price table
To give you a quick, comprehensive overview of what you will pay across various fuel grades and locations, the table below highlights the official retail and wholesale prices for October 2026.
Official Fuel Price Breakdown (Effective 7 October 2026)
| Fuel Type / Grade | Inland Pump Price (R/l) | Coastal Pump Price (R/l) | Net Change vs Previous Month |
| 93 Unleaded Petrol (ULP & LRP) | R29.88 | R29.01 | Increased by R3.12 / L |
| 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP & LRP) | R30.25 | R29.38 | Increased by R3.33 / L |
| Diesel 0.05% Sulphur (500 ppm) * | R31.95 | R31.08 | Increased by R2.84 / L |
| Diesel 0.005% Sulphur (50 ppm) * | R32.80 | R31.93 | Increased by R3.24 / L |
| Illuminating Paraffin * | R24.47 | R23.42 | Increased by R3.58 / L |
*Note: Diesel and illuminating paraffin values denote official wholesale baselines. Actual retail prices at individual service stations will vary slightly based on local retailer margins.
If you are looking to map out your upcoming road trip or monthly commuting budget based on these figures, you can quickly jump to our dedicated calculate fuel cost conversion tool. This interactive tool makes the current national baseline immediately actionable for your specific vehicle make and model.
Price change from the previous month
The transition into the current month brings another marked increase for South African consumers. In September, 95 Unleaded Inland stood at R26.92 per litre. The rise of R3.33 per litre for 95 petrol, R3.12 for 93 petrol and R3.24 per litre for 50ppm diesel places renewed pressure on household and fleet budgets.
This increase lands on a baseline with no tax cushion: the full General Fuel Levy (GFL) of 429.00 c/l on petrol and 416.00 c/l on diesel is already in the price, and no levy change was announced this cycle. The full weight of the international movement therefore reaches the pump.
The Core Drivers Behind the Increase
- Higher Crude Prices: The average Brent Crude price rose from about $88 to $101 per barrel over the review period, on continued US–Iran tension, uncertainty over oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz and higher shipping costs.
- Tighter Product Supply: International prices of petrol, diesel and paraffin rose as global inventories of refined products fell. Higher product prices added about 329 c/l to the basic fuel price of petrol and 280 c/l to diesel, which is why petrol moved R3.12 to R3.33 per litre and diesel R2.84 to R3.24.
- A Flat Rand: The Rand averaged about R16.21 to the US Dollar, almost exactly where it was in the previous review period, so currency movement neither added to nor offset the adjustment.
- The Slate Levy Rose Again: After climbing to 83.28 c/l in September, the DMPR self-adjusting slate levy rose a further 4.38 c/l to 87.66 c/l, adding slightly to the adjustment.
Inland vs coastal prices
A frequent source of confusion for local drivers is why the latest petrol price South Africa tracks is always split cleanly between inland and coastal zones.
The primary explanation comes down to inland transport logistics costs. South Africa’s primary crude oil and refined fuel imports enter via coastal ports. To transport this fuel up to the economic heartland of Gauteng and other inland provinces, it must be pumped through extensive underground pipeline networks or trucked across vast distances.
The costs incurred during this bulk transport phase are legally factored into the final retail pricing structure. This creates a structural zone differential where inland pump stations charge roughly 80 to 90 cents more per litre than their coastal counterparts for identical fuel grades.
To explore how these structural pricing mechanisms have evolved over the years across specific magisterial zones, check our comprehensive historical database on fuel price South Africa.
Related guides: Previous Petrol Price South Africa and Fuel Price Trends South Africa.
Petrol grades, diesel and related fuels
Understanding the distinction between various fuel grades is critical for maintaining your vehicle’s performance and optimizing your fleet’s overall operating margins.
93 Octane vs 95 Octane Petrol
The primary variance between 93 and 95 petrol is its octane rating, which measures the fuel’s resistance to premature combustion (commonly known as engine knocking).
- 93 Unleaded (ULP): Generally optimized for vehicles running at higher altitudes (Inland regions like Gauteng). The lower atmospheric pressure inland naturally reduces the engine’s octane requirement.
- 95 Unleaded (ULP): Mandatory for vehicles operating at sea level (Coastal regions) to prevent knocking. It is also highly recommended nationwide for modern, turbocharged, or high-performance engines.
Retail Petrol vs Wholesale Diesel
Unlike petrol, which is strictly price-regulated across all stations, retail diesel pricing is deregulated in South Africa. While the government sets a strict monthly wholesale baseline price, individual fuel stations are legally permitted to set their own retail margins. This explains why you will see highly competitive, varying diesel prices on display boards across different street corners.
For commercial fleets and transport businesses, tracking the distinct grades is highly relevant:
- Diesel 0.05% (500 ppm): Contains a higher sulphur content and is typically utilized by older heavy-duty machinery or commercial transport fleets.
- Diesel 0.005% (50 ppm): A premium, low-sulphur configuration engineered specifically for modern passenger SUVs and highly advanced turbodiesel engines to keep emissions low and components clean.
How to use this price information
Staying informed on the exact petrol price per litre South Africa enforces does more than just satisfy curiosity—it serves as a direct financial tool.
Smart Ways to Apply Today’s Price Data
- Time Your Fill-Ups: If a substantial price decrease is officially scheduled for the first Wednesday of an upcoming month, try to run your tank low and delay filling up until the change kicks in. Conversely, if an aggressive hike is locked in, ensure you top up your tank before midnight on Tuesday.
- Audit Business Travel Claims: Use the verified monthly pricing tiers to accurately calculate fuel reimbursements for employees using personal vehicles for business operations.
- Audit Fuel Receipts: If you drive a diesel vehicle, use our national wholesale baseline as a benchmark to identify which local service stations are offering the fairest, most cost-effective retail margins.
Related tools and updates
While knowing the current price is necessary for immediate planning, forward-looking drivers keep a close eye on incoming market indicators to forecast future trends.
Fuel adjustments in South Africa happen on the first Wednesday of every calendar month, dictated by the rolling daily data tracked by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). Throughout the month, the CEF publishes daily “over-recovery” or “under-recovery” data.
- An over-recovery indicates that international product prices or exchange rates are working in South Africa’s favor, signaling a likely price drop ahead.
- An under-recovery implies the local market is accumulating a deficit, pointing towards a future pump price increase.
A Note on Forecast Precision: It is important to separate official, legally binding price schedules published by the DMPR from mid-month speculative commentary. We avoid using language like “confirmed increase” based purely on early CEF indicators, as market volatility can sharply reverse a trajectory before the final gazetted announcement is signed.
Frequently asked questions
Why does petrol cost more inland than at the coast?
Inland prices include the additional regulated logistics costs required to transport fuel from coastal ports via pipelines and rail networks up to the interior provinces.
When are South African fuel prices updated?
Prices are adjusted officially once a month, going into effect at midnight on the first Wednesday of every new month.
Is diesel regulated the same way as petrol?
No. Petrol has a strictly fixed retail price set by law. Diesel prices are only regulated at a wholesale baseline level, allowing local service stations to adjust their retail pump prices competitively.