Checked against the Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024 (Ver. 1, effective 24.10.2024) on 31 October 2026. Published by MDG Services on 31 October 2026.
Petrol density limits at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Minimum petrol density | 720 kg/m³ at 15°C MDG 7.6 |
| Maximum petrol density | 775 kg/m³ at 15°C MDG 7.6 |
| Grades covered | MG, E5, E10, E12, E15 and E20, all BS VI MDG 7.6 |
| Tanker on arrival | Within ±3.0 kg/m³ of the invoice density MDG 1.2(iv) |
| Your morning reading | Recorded at 15°C before sales, by 10 AM MDG 1.4.1(c) MDG 5.1.9 |
The petrol table has one density row, and no separate figure for premium petrol MDG 7.6. See E20 petrol and premium petrol. Diesel has other ranges: diesel density. Both fuels side by side: density range.
A hot-day reading of 715 can still be inside the range
Warm petrol reads lower on the hydrometer and cold petrol reads higher, but the limits are at 15°C. Convert first, with the ASTM table or the 15°C calculator MDG 1.2(iv) MDG 1.5(vi). For example (made-up samples, worked with that calculator):
| Hydrometer reads | Sample temperature | Density at 15°C | Against 720–775 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 715.0 | 35°C | 733.0 | Inside |
| 777.0 | 10°C | 772.7 | Inside |
| 770.0 | 25°C | 778.1 | Outside |
So a petrol sitting exactly on the limits reads like this on the hydrometer:
| Sample temperature | Petrol at 720 (15°C) reads about | Petrol at 775 (15°C) reads about |
|---|---|---|
| 20°C | 715.5 | 770.8 |
| 30°C | 706.4 | 762.4 |
| 40°C | 697.2 | 754.0 |
The printed ASTM table decides if it differs in the last digit MDG 1.2(iv) MDG 1.5(vi). For other temperatures use the density temperature chart, and see why density changes with temperature.
If the reading is outside 720–775
- Take the density and the temperature from the same sample MDG 1.2(viii). If the figure surprises you, read both again (general practice, not an MDG rule).
- Convert to 15°C. The density checker does it and says inside or outside.
- For a tanker, compare with the invoice. More than 3.0 kg/m³ apart is outside the limit MDG 1.2(iv).
- If you doubt the quality, MDG says to contact the supply location or the area field officer MDG 1.2(ix). That step is written for a tanker being decanted. For your own tank, ask your oil company.
At an inspection, samples go to lab tests that include density at 15°C. A sample that fails on density is acted on as established adulteration MDG 7.4, a critical irregularity with termination at the first instance MDG 8.2.
Note: your hydrometer reading is not the lab result. A higher or lower figure inside the range is not better or worse: see high or low density.
Questions dealers ask
01What is the petrol density range in India?
720–775 kg/m³ at 15°C for BS VI petrol, E20 included MDG 7.6. MDG states it at 15°C only, so a reading taken at any other temperature is converted first MDG 1.2(iv).
02What is the minimum density of petrol in India?
720 kg/m³ at 15°C MDG 7.6. A hydrometer can show less than 720 on a hot day with petrol that converts to inside the range, as the first table shows.
03What is the maximum petrol density?
775 kg/m³ at 15°C MDG 7.6. A cold-morning reading can show above 775 and still convert to inside the range.
04Petrol ki density kitni honi chahiye, kitni hoti hai?
Between 720 and 775 kg/m³ at 15°C: not below 720 and not above 775 MDG 7.6. A warm sample reads lower, so convert to 15°C before you compare MDG 1.2(iv).
05What if my petrol density is below 720 or above 775?
Convert it to 15°C first MDG 1.2(iv). If it is still outside, ask your oil company; for a tanker you doubt, MDG names the supply location or area field officer MDG 1.2(ix).
Read the official text: Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024 (PDF on Bharat Petroleum's website) (also published on iocl.com).
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