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.
ULP stands for unleaded petrol. It is the standard petrol sold in South Africa, in two octane grades: 93 and 95. Petrol 95 ULP costs R30.25 per litre in Gauteng from 7 October 2026.
What Does ULP Mean: current price
| Grade | Inland (Gauteng) | Coastal | Change on 7 October 2026 |
| Petrol 95 ULP and LRP | R30.25 | R29.38 | Up R3.33 |
| Petrol 93 ULP and LRP | R29.88 | R29.01 | Up R3.12 |
The coastal Petrol 93 price is from the Department’s schedule for 7 October 2026.
ULP, LRP and octane
- ULP: unleaded petrol, for engines designed to run without lead.
- LRP: lead replacement petrol, intended for older engines that were built for leaded petrol.
- 93 and 95: the octane rating (RON). A higher number means the fuel resists engine knock better.
Official price schedules list ULP and LRP together and give them the same price for each octane grade.
Price change from the previous month
Petrol 95 rose by R3.33 per litre and Petrol 93 by R3.12 on 7 October 2026. The two grades moved by different amounts because the octane differential in the basic fuel price is reviewed each quarter.
Inland vs coastal prices
ULP is 87 cents per litre cheaper at the coast than in Gauteng, for both octane grades.
How to use this price information
Check your vehicle manual for the grade it needs. Using a higher octane than specified costs more without a guaranteed benefit; using a lower one than specified can harm the engine.
Related prices, forecasts and tools
- Petrol price today
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- Why fuel prices change every month
- Petrol price prediction
- Fuel cost calculator
- Petrol grades South Africa
Frequently asked questions
Is ULP the same as unleaded?
Yes. ULP is short for unleaded petrol.
What is the difference between ULP 93 and ULP 95?
The octane rating. 95 is higher and costs 37 c/l more from October 2026.
Do ULP and LRP cost the same?
Yes, for the same octane grade, in the official price schedule.