Liters to Gallons Converter
Enter a value below to convert liters to US gallons - one liter is about 0.2642 gal (1 US gallon = 3.785411784 L exactly). For the reverse, use our gallons to liters converter.
1 L = 0.264172 gal. Convert liters to US gallons. Need the reverse? See gallons to liters.
Liter
- Definition
- A liter (symbol: L) is a metric unit of volume equal to one cubic decimeter (1 L = 0.001 m³ = 1,000 cm³). It is accepted for use with the International System of Units (SI), though it is not an SI base unit.
- History / origin
- The liter was introduced in France in 1795 as part of the original metric system. It was once defined as the volume of one kilogram of water, but since 1964 it has been fixed at exactly one cubic decimeter, removing the small discrepancy that earlier definition carried.
- Current use
- The liter is used worldwide for measuring liquids - beverages, fuel, and household quantities - and for labeling container capacity in every country that uses the metric system.
US gallon
- Definition
- A US gallon (symbol: gal) is a unit of volume in the US customary system, defined as exactly 231 cubic inches, which equals 3.785411784 liters. It is divided into 4 quarts, 8 pints, or 128 US fluid ounces.
- History / origin
- The US gallon derives from the British wine gallon of 231 cubic inches, which was standardized in England in 1707 under Queen Anne. The United States kept this measure, while the United Kingdom later replaced it with the larger imperial gallon of 4.54609 liters in 1824.
- Current use
- The US gallon is used mainly in the United States for fuel, milk, and other liquids sold by volume. The UK and Canada use the imperial gallon, which is larger, so a gallon does not mean the same amount on both sides of the Atlantic.
Liter to gallon conversion table
| Liter [L] | US gallon [gal] |
|---|---|
| 0.1 L | 0.0264172052 gal |
| 0.5 L | 0.1320860262 gal |
| 1 L | 0.2641720524 gal |
| 2 L | 0.5283441047 gal |
| 5 L | 1.3208602618 gal |
| 10 L | 2.6417205236 gal |
| 25 L | 6.604301309 gal |
| 50 L | 13.2086026179 gal |
| 100 L | 26.4172052358 gal |
| 500 L | 132.0860261791 gal |
| 1,000 L | 264.1720523581 gal |
Popular liter to gallon conversions
Everyday fuel-tank, jug, and container sizes in US gallons, rounded to two decimals - the liter values people look up most.
| Liter [L] | US gallon [gal] |
|---|---|
| 1 L | 0.26 gal |
| 2 L | 0.53 gal |
| 5 L | 1.32 gal |
| 10 L | 2.64 gal |
| 15 L | 3.96 gal |
| 20 L | 5.28 gal |
| 40 L | 10.57 gal |
| 50 L | 13.21 gal |
| 60 L | 15.85 gal |
| 100 L | 26.42 gal |
How to convert liters to gallons
To convert liters to US gallons, divide the number of liters by 3.785411784. For example, 20 L ÷ 3.785411784 = 5.28 US gallons (or multiply by 0.2641720524).
One US gallon is defined as exactly 3.785411784 liters, so to convert a volume in liters to US gallons you divide by 3.785411784 - or, equivalently, multiply by 0.2641720524:
US gallons = liters ÷ 3.785411784 = liters × 0.2641720524
1 L = 0.2641720524 gal · 1 gal = 3.785411784 L
Example. To convert 50 liters to US gallons, divide by 3.785411784: 50 L = 50 ÷ 3.785411784 = 13.21 gal. Going the other way, 5 US gallons is 5 × 3.785411784 = 18.93 L.
When you need to convert liters to gallons
Liter-to-gallon conversion comes up whenever a metric volume has to be read in US gallons. Common cases:
- Reading a fuel tank or fuel-economy figure quoted in liters against a US pump or odometer in gallons.
- Sizing an aquarium or fish tank sold in liters when stocking guides are written in gallons.
- Buying water jugs, fuel cans, and drums labeled in liters for a US setup measured in gallons.
- Following a brewing, pool, or chemical-dosing recipe that mixes metric volumes with gallon-based amounts.
- Checking the capacity of an imported appliance or container rated in liters for a US spec.
Frequently asked questions
How many gallons is 1 liter?
One liter equals 0.2641720524 US gallons - just over a quarter of a US gallon. Roughly four liters make a US gallon.
How do I convert liters to gallons?
Divide the number of liters by 3.785411784, or multiply by 0.2641720524. For example, 20 L ÷ 3.785411784 = 5.28 US gallons.
Are US gallons and UK gallons the same?
No. A US gallon is 3.785411784 liters, while a UK (imperial) gallon is 4.54609 liters - about 20 percent larger. This page uses the US gallon.
How many gallons is 5 liters?
5 liters equals 1.32 US gallons (1.3208602618 gal to be exact).
How many gallons is 50 liters?
50 liters equals 13.21 US gallons (13.2086026179 gal to be exact) - a typical car fuel-tank size.
Is a gallon bigger than a liter?
Yes. One US gallon is 3.785411784 liters, so a gallon is nearly four times the size of a liter.
How do I convert liters to gallons in my head?
Divide the liters by four for a quick estimate, since one US gallon is close to four liters. For example, 20 L is about 5 gallons, and the exact value is 5.28 gallons.
How many liters is 1 US gallon?
One US gallon equals 3.785411784 liters. To convert gallons to liters, multiply by 3.785411784.
Popular volume unit conversions
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Convert liters to other volume units
Convert a liter measurement into any other volume unit our converter supports.