Conversion guide
Liters to US liquid gallons: exact conversion
Convert liquid capacity from liters to US liquid gallons for fuel, tanks, and containers. The unit is stated explicitly because a US gallon and an Imperial gallon are not interchangeable.
Formulas in both directions
US gal = L ÷ 3.785411784L = US gal × 3.785411784Divide liters by exactly 3.785411784. This definition applies to the US liquid gallon, not the US dry gallon or Imperial gallon.
Common conversion values
| liter (L) | US liquid gallon (US gal) |
|---|---|
| 0.25 L | 0.06604301309 US gal |
| 0.5 L | 0.1320860262 US gal |
| 1 L | 0.2641720524 US gal |
| 2 L | 0.5283441047 US gal |
| 3 L | 0.7925161571 US gal |
| 3.785411784 L | 1 US gal |
| 5 L | 1.320860262 US gal |
| 10 L | 2.641720524 US gal |
| 20 L | 5.283441047 US gal |
| 50 L | 13.20860262 US gal |
| 100 L | 26.41720524 US gal |
| 200 L | 52.83441047 US gal |
Worked real-world examples
Example 1
A small aquarium holds 12 L. Convert its nominal capacity to US gallons.
12 ÷ 3.785411784 = 3.17006462812 L = 3.170064628 US galExample 2
A vehicle fuel tank is rated at 55 L. Convert the capacity for a US specification sheet.
55 ÷ 3.785411784 = 14.5294628855 L = 14.52946288 US galWhat the units mean
liter (L)
A liter is a metric unit of volume equal to exactly one cubic decimeter, or 0.001 cubic meter.
US liquid gallon (US gal)
A US liquid gallon is a customary volume unit defined as exactly 231 cubic inches, equivalent to exactly 3.785411784 liters.
Where these units are used
Liters are standard for beverages, fuel, and tank capacity in most countries. US liquid gallons are used for fuel economy, large containers, and household volume in the United States.
Important distinctions
One Imperial gallon is exactly 4.54609 L, about 20% larger than a US liquid gallon. The less common US dry gallon also has a different volume. Confirm which gallon a source intends.
Accuracy and rounding
Fuel and tank estimates are often shown to two or three decimal gallons. Capacity, billing, or engineering work should retain sufficient precision and round according to the instrument or regulation.
Frequently asked questions
How many US gallons are in one liter?
One liter is approximately 0.2641720524 US liquid gallons.
Is a US gallon the same as a UK gallon?
No. The UK Imperial gallon is 4.54609 L, while the US liquid gallon is 3.785411784 L.
Can this conversion be used for fuel economy?
It converts tank or fuel volume. Fuel-economy units such as L/100 km and mpg also involve distance and require a separate formula.
What does US gal mean?
It explicitly means US liquid gallon, the common US unit for liquids.