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 unleaded petrol price today can feel like hitting a moving target, especially with South Africa’s monthly fuel adjustments. Whether you are filling up a passenger vehicle, managing a small delivery fleet, or just budgeting for the month ahead, knowing the exact cost per litre at the pumps is essential.
As a localized hub for South African motorists, this page delivers the most up-to-date, official regulated prices for Unleaded Petrol (ULP), details the differences between regional zones, and helps you navigate your choice of fuel grade seamlessly.
Unleaded Petrol Price Today: Current Price
The official retail price of unleaded petrol in South Africa is regulated by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and changes on the first Wednesday of every month.
Because prices are split by geographic zones (Inland vs. Coastal) and octanes (ULP 93 vs. ULP 95), there isn’t a single national price. Instead, motorists pay a specific cents-per-litre (c/l) or Rand-per-litre (R/l) rate based on where they top up.
Current Official Price Status: Effective 2 September 2026
- Inland ULP 95: 2,692.00 c/l (R26.92/l)
- Coastal ULP 95: 2,605.00 c/l (R26.05/l)
- Inland ULP 93: 2,676.00 c/l (R26.76/l)
To find out exactly how much a full tank will cost you right now based on your vehicle’s capacity, jump over to our interactive calculate fuel cost tool to turn these raw figures into actionable trip budgeting.
Latest Petrol and Fuel Price Table
To get a comprehensive look at how ULP petrol price variants compare to other fuel types across South Africa, refer to the official baseline table below. These figures represent the latest confirmed gazetted rates.
| Fuel Grade / Type | Inland Price (c/l) | Coastal Price (c/l) |
| Unleaded Petrol 95 (ULP 95) | 2,692.00 c/l | 2,605.00 c/l |
| Unleaded Petrol 93 (ULP 93) | 2,676.00 c/l | 2,597.00 c/l |
| Diesel 50ppm (Wholesale)* | 2,955.51 c/l | 2,868.31 c/l |
| Diesel 500ppm (Wholesale)* | 2,911.11 c/l | 2,823.91 c/l |
*Note: Diesel prices listed are wholesale baselines; retail pump prices vary as diesel is unregulated.
Price Change from the Previous Month
Fuel pricing in South Africa relies on a combination of the international Brent Crude oil price and the USD/ZAR exchange rate. Every month, the Central Energy Fund (CEF) tracks these daily under- or over-recoveries to calculate the final price adjustment.
Compared to the previous month, the unleaded petrol price South Africa experiences has shifted as follows:
- ULP 95 (Inland & Coastal): Increased by 134.00 c/l (R1.07 per litre).
- ULP 93 (Inland & Coastal): Increased by 134.00 c/l (R0.96 per litre).
This shift directly impacts consumer inflation and daily commuting costs. Keeping tabs on the monthly momentum helps you strategically time your trips to the filling station before the midnight price adjustments kick in.
Inland vs. Coastal Prices
If you’ve ever driven from Johannesburg to Durban, you’ve likely noticed that fuel gets progressively cheaper as you descend toward the coast. Why does this discrepancy exist?
The Transport Cost Factor
South Africa imports a massive portion of its refined petroleum and crude oil through coastal ports. Moving that fuel from the coast to Gauteng and other interior provinces requires an extensive network of pipelines, rail transport, and road tankers.
The DMPR adds a regulated transport tariff to the inland fuel price to cover these distribution costs. As a result:
- Coastal Prices reflect the baseline landing cost without heavy inland transport add-ons.
- Inland Prices are inherently higher to offset the expense of moving fuel hundreds of kilometers away from the ports.
Petrol Grades, Diesel, and Related Fuels
Understanding the broader fuel ecosystem ensures you don’t accidentally compromise your vehicle’s engine or overpay for performance you don’t need.
ULP 93 vs. ULP 95
The primary difference between these two unleaded options is their octane rating. Octane measures a fuel’s resistance to “knocking” or pre-ignition in the engine cylinders.
- ULP 93: Primarily available inland. It is perfectly optimized for naturally aspirated engines running at higher altitudes where the air density is lower.
- ULP 95: Available nationwide and mandatory at the coast. It is designed for high-performance, turbocharged, or modern multi-valve engines that require higher compression.
How This Differs from Diesel Pricing
Unlike unleaded petrol, which is strictly price-controlled by the government at the retail pump, diesel is only subject to a regulated wholesale master price. Individual fuel retailers are free to set their own retail profit margins on Diesel 50ppm and 500ppm. This is why diesel prices fluctuate wildly between competing petrol stations down the same street, whereas the unleaded petrol price today will be identical at every single pump within a specific pricing zone.
How to Use This Price Information
Raw cents-per-litre data is only helpful if you apply it to your everyday driving habits. Here is how you can use today’s unleaded price to your advantage:
- Audit Your Logbooks: If you manage a small business or claim fuel expenses back from SARS, using the exact effective monthly c/l rate ensures your tax and corporate accounting claims are accurate.
- Optimize Fuel Purchases: If an upcoming monthly forecast indicates a steep price hike, filling up your tank the evening before the first Wednesday of the month will net you immediate savings.
- Choose the Correct Grade: Check your vehicle’s fuel cap or owner’s manual. If your car is rated for 93 octane and you live inland, filling up with 95 octane provides zero performance benefit while unnecessarily draining your wallet.
Related Tools and Updates
To stay one step ahead of the pumps, we provide dynamic tools and predictive trackers built on transparent data from the CEF and DMPR.
- Fuel Cost Calculator: Don’t do the math manually. Use our dedicated calculate fuel cost tool to plug in your vehicle’s tank size and calculate exactly what a full fill-up costs today.
- Mid-Month Forecasts: We monitor daily exchange rates, international oil markets, the slate balance, and CEF over-/under-recovery data to provide predictive insights on whether the next month will bring relief or a price hike.
- Historical Data Hub: Track how the price of ULP has trended over time to better analyze your long-term transport budget scaling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does unleaded petrol price today mean for drivers?
It represents the official, legally mandated price per litre you will pay at any filling station in your specific geographic zone. Because petrol is highly regulated in South Africa, no station can legally charge you more or less than this baseline for ULP 93 or ULP 95 until the next monthly DMPR directive.
Should drivers choose 93 or 95?
Always consult your vehicle’s user manual first. If you drive a modern turbocharged car or live at the coast, ULP 95 is generally required. If you drive an older, naturally aspirated engine inland, ULP 93 is highly suitable and costs less per litre. For a deep dive into how these grades interact with your engine, read our comprehensive 93 vs 95 petrol guide.
Does fuel grade affect price?
Yes. ULP 95 carries a higher production and refining premium than ULP 93, making it slightly more expensive per litre. To see the exact difference between the two variants today, view our dedicated 93 petrol price and 95 petrol pricebreakdowns.