Liters to Gallons Converter
Convert liters (L) to US gallons or Imperial gallons instantly with precision controls.
Conversion Result
📐 Conversion Formulas
Liters to Gallons:
Constants:
- 1 US liquid gallon = 3.785411784 liters (exact)
- 1 Imperial gallon = 4.54609 liters (exact)
📝 Step-by-Step Calculation
Enter a value and convert to see the step-by-step breakdown.
Understanding Liters and Gallons
Converting liters to gallons is a common calculation for anyone working with liquid volumes across different measurement systems. Whether you're calculating fuel economy, cooking ingredient quantities, or managing fluid capacities, understanding how to convert between liters and gallons is essential.
What Is a Liter?
A liter (symbol: L or l) is a metric unit of volume equal to 1 cubic decimeter (dm³). It was originally defined in 1795 as the volume of one kilogram of water at 4°C. The liter is widely used worldwide for measuring liquids, from beverages to fuel. One liter equals exactly 1,000 milliliters (mL) or 0.001 cubic meters (m³).
What Is a Gallon?
A gallon is a unit of volume used primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom, but the two countries define it differently:
- US liquid gallon: Defined as exactly 231 cubic inches, which equals approximately 3.785411784 liters. This is the standard gallon used for measuring liquids in the United States.
- Imperial gallon: Used in the United Kingdom and some Commonwealth countries, defined as exactly 4.54609 liters. It is approximately 20% larger than the US gallon.
Why Are US and Imperial Gallons Different?
The difference stems from historical definitions. The US gallon was based on the English wine gallon (used before 1824), while the British Imperial gallon was defined in 1824 based on the volume of 10 pounds of water at a specific temperature. This historical divergence means the same term "gallon" refers to different volumes depending on the country.
Quick Reference Table
Common liter to gallon conversions for quick reference:
| Liters (L) | US Gallons | Imperial Gallons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.2642 | 0.2200 |
| 2 | 0.5283 | 0.4399 |
| 3 | 0.7925 | 0.6599 |
| 4 | 1.0567 | 0.8799 |
| 5 | 1.3209 | 1.0998 |
| 10 | 2.6417 | 2.1997 |
| 20 | 5.2834 | 4.3994 |
| 50 | 13.2086 | 10.9985 |
| 100 | 26.4172 | 21.9969 |
Frequently Asked Questions
There are approximately 0.2642 US gallons in one liter, or about 0.2200 Imperial gallons in one liter. To convert liters to gallons, divide the liter value by 3.785411784 for US gallons or by 4.54609 for Imperial gallons.
The US liquid gallon equals 3.785411784 liters (231 cubic inches), while the Imperial gallon equals 4.54609 liters. The Imperial gallon is about 20% larger than the US gallon due to different historical definitions.
To convert liters to US gallons, divide the number of liters by 3.785411784. For example, 10 liters ÷ 3.785411784 = 2.6417 US gallons.
To convert liters to Imperial gallons, divide the number of liters by 4.54609. For example, 10 liters ÷ 4.54609 = 2.1997 Imperial gallons.
The difference comes from history. The US gallon was based on the English wine gallon used before 1824, while the Imperial gallon was redefined in 1824 in Britain based on the volume of 10 pounds of water. When the US became independent, it retained the older wine gallon definition.
In the United States, a gallon of gasoline equals 3.785411784 liters. In countries using Imperial gallons (like the UK), a gallon of petrol would be 4.54609 liters. This difference affects fuel economy comparisons between countries.
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