Official figures — September 2026. These are the confirmed prices published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), effective Wednesday, 2 September 2026. Petrol 93 and 95 both rose 134 c/l, diesel 500ppm rose 294 c/l, diesel 50ppm rose 315 c/l and illuminating paraffin rose 213 c/l. The previous official prices took effect on 5 August 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 R26.92 per litre, while motorists in Coastal regions pay R26.05 per litre. This current structure became officially effective on Wednesday, 2 September 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 September 2026.
Official Fuel Price Breakdown (Effective 2 September 2026)
| Fuel Type / Grade | Inland Pump Price (R/l) | Coastal Pump Price (R/l) | Net Change vs Previous Month |
| 93 Unleaded Petrol (ULP & LRP) | R26.76 | R25.97 | Increased by R1.34 / L |
| 95 Unleaded Petrol (ULP & LRP) | R26.92 | R26.05 | Increased by R1.34 / L |
| Diesel 0.05% Sulphur (500 ppm) * | R29.11 | R28.24 | Increased by R2.94 / L |
| Diesel 0.005% Sulphur (50 ppm) * | R29.56 | R28.68 | Increased by R3.15 / L |
| Illuminating Paraffin * | R20.89 | R19.84 | Increased by R2.13 / 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 a marked increase for South African consumers, reversing the relief recorded in the mid-winter cycle. In the preceding month of August, 95 Unleaded Inland stood at R25.58 per litre. The subsequent rise of R1.07 per litre for 95 petrol and a much steeper R2.92 per litre increase for premium 50ppm diesel places renewed pressure on household and fleet budgets.
This increase lands on a baseline that already absorbed a major fiscal headwind: the complete phasing out of National Treasury’s temporary fuel levy relief, which reinstated the full General Fuel Levy (GFL) of 429.00 c/l on petrol and 416.00 c/l on diesel. With no tax cushion remaining, the full weight of the international movement now reaches the pump.
The Core Drivers Behind the Price Relief
- The Global Oil Collapse: The primary catalyst was a dramatic drop in international Brent Crude oil prices, which tumbled from an average of $104.59 down to $86.53 per barrel due to improved global supply realities.
- Resilient Rand Performance: The South African Rand mounted a highly stable defense against the US Dollar, improving from a previous average baseline of R16.52 to R16.38 per USD. This strengthening lowered the local cost of importing refined petroleum products.
- Slate Levy Reductions: Further internal relief emerged from the DMPR’s self-adjusting Slate Levy mechanism.Because accumulated state oil account balances improved, the slate tax component was scaled back from 157.74 c/l to 113.94 c/l, handing 43.80 c/l directly back to consumers.
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.
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.