UK fuel prices May 2026
Last updated .
UK petrol averaged 157.4p a litre in May 2026, of which 79.2p was tax (50%) and 52.1p was crude oil. The price rose from 156.8p in the week to 4 May 2026 to 158.8p in the week to 25 May 2026.
Every week in May 2026
| Week to | Pump price | Crude | Margin | Duty | VAT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 May 2026Details for 4 May 2026 | 156.8 | 55.0 | 22.8 | 52.95 | 26.1 |
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11 May 2026Details for 11 May 2026 | 156.8 | 48.9 | 28.8 | 52.95 | 26.1 |
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18 May 2026Details for 18 May 2026 | 157.4 | 54.7 | 23.5 | 52.95 | 26.2 |
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25 May 2026Details for 25 May 2026 | 158.8 | 50.0 | 29.3 | 52.95 | 26.5 |
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What was happening
Brent averaged $112 a barrel over the month and the pound bought $1.351. Fuel duty was 52.95p a litre throughout. The refining and retail margin averaged 26.1p.
Where these figures come from
Pump prices are the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero's weekly UK average, with the duty and VAT rates DESNZ published alongside each week. Crude is Brent converted at that week's exchange rate. The full method is on the methodology page, and the underlying series are downloadable.