# What is the density of petrol and diesel in India?

> The density limits at 15 °C for BS-VI petrol (IS 2796, 720–775 kg/m³) and BS-VI diesel (IS 1460, 810–845 kg/m³) in India, as listed in MDG 2024, and what to do when a reading falls outside.

Canonical: https://dipdensity.watsinfo.com/guides/petrol-diesel-density-range/
Last updated: 2026-11-02

**Short answer:** At 15 °C, BS-VI petrol must be between 720 and 775 kg/m³ (IS 2796) and BS-VI diesel between 810 and 845 kg/m³ (IS 1460). The oil companies list these limits in their Marketing Discipline Guidelines. Most petrol sits around 740 to 755 and most diesel around 825 to 835.

## The limits

| Fuel | Standard | Density at 15 °C |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol (MS), BS-VI, and E10 to E20 | IS 2796 | 720 to 775 kg/m³ |
| Diesel (HSD), BS-VI, up to B7 | IS 1460 | 810 to 845 kg/m³ |
| Biodiesel blends B8 to B20 | IS 16531 | 820 to 860 kg/m³ |

MDG 2024 notes that a relaxation of the diesel density range may apply to fuel processed from Assam crude, as notified by the Government.

## Why the ranges matter at the pump

The limits are wide enough to cover every refinery's output, so a reading inside them does not prove the fuel is right. The check that catches mixing is the **±3.0 kg/m³ comparison with the invoice**, and the comparison of each morning's density with the last load's. A reading outside the range, though, is a clear sign: stop, take a fresh sample, and call your sales officer.

## Weight of a litre

Density in kg/m³ divided by 1,000 is kg per litre. A litre of petrol at 15 °C weighs 0.720 to 0.775 kg; a litre of diesel 0.810 to 0.845 kg. See the [litres to kg calculator](https://dipdensity.watsinfo.com/tools/fuel-weight-calculator/).

## Questions

### Why has the diesel lower limit changed?

Under BS-IV the diesel range was 820 to 845 kg/m³. The BS-VI specification lowered the bottom to 810 kg/m³.

### Is blended petrol (E10, E20) in the same range?

Yes. MDG 2024 lists 720 to 775 kg/m³ for motor gasoline and for the ethanol blends E10 to E20 alike.

### My reading is 12 kg/m³ off yesterday's. Is that wrong?

Compare density at 15 °C, never raw hydrometer readings. A raw reading drops by roughly 0.7 to 0.9 kg/m³ for every degree warmer. If the figures at 15 °C differ that much, check the jar, the hydrometer and the sample.

## Sources

- [BPCL, Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024, product specifications (pages 40 to 41)](https://www.bharatpetroleum.in/images/files/MDG-2024-Effective-24-10-2024.pdf)
- [HPCL, MS and HSD BS-VI specifications](https://www.hindustanpetroleum.com/images/pdf/MS_HSD_BS-VI_SPECS.pdf)