Liter to Gallon Converter – Liters to US Gallons and Back
Liter to Gallon Converter
Convert liquid fluid capacities instantly with absolute mathematical standard rules
Quick answer
To convert liter to gallon (US), divide the liters by 3.78541. One US gallon is exactly 3.785411784 liters, so 10 L ÷ 3.78541 = 2.6417 gal. To go from gallons to liters, multiply by 3.78541: 5 gal = 18.9271 L.
Our free Liter to Gallon Converter does the maths in one click and shows the exact formula with your number. Switch to Gallons to Liters when you need the reverse. It is handy for fuel, water tanks, aquariums, paint, cooking and lab work.
US Gallons vs UK (Imperial) Gallons
There are two common gallons, and mixing them up is the biggest source of errors. The US liquid gallon is 3.785411784 liters and is used in the United States for fuel, milk and water. The imperial gallon is 4.54609 liters and is still seen in the UK, Canada and some Caribbean countries. One imperial gallon equals about 1.2009 US gallons.
This liter to gallon tool uses the US gallon. For imperial gallons, divide liters by 4.54609 instead. For example, 10 L is 2.6417 US gallons but only 2.1997 imperial gallons.
Liter to Gallon Formula
| Conversion | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Liters to US gallons | gal = L ÷ 3.78541 | 20 L = 5.2834 gal |
| US gallons to liters | L = gal × 3.78541 | 10 gal = 37.8541 L |
| Liters to imperial gallons | gal (UK) = L ÷ 4.54609 | 10 L = 2.1997 gal (UK) |
How to Use the Liter to Gallon Converter
Step 1: Choose Liters to Gallons or Gallons to Liters
Click Liters to Gallons or Gallons to Liters at the top of the tool. The label and unit badge switch to match. We keep Liters to Gallons selected.
Step 2: Enter the Volume in Liters
Type the volume into the input box. Decimals are fine. In our example we enter 10 liters, about the size of a small bucket.
Step 3: Click Convert Volume
Press Convert Volume. If the box is empty or the number is negative, the tool asks for a valid volume instead of showing a result.
Step 4: Read the Result in Gallons
The result box shows 2.6417 gal. Below it you can see the US liquid standard (1 US gallon = 3.78541 liters) and the formula with your number, so you can check the answer.
Liters to Gallons Chart
| Liters | US gallons |
|---|---|
| 0.5 L | 0.1321 gal |
| 1 L | 0.2642 gal |
| 2 L | 0.5283 gal |
| 4 L | 1.0567 gal |
| 5 L | 1.3209 gal |
| 10 L | 2.6417 gal |
| 20 L | 5.2834 gal |
| 25 L | 6.6043 gal |
| 40 L | 10.5669 gal |
| 50 L | 13.2086 gal |
| 60 L | 15.8503 gal |
| 100 L | 26.4172 gal |
| 200 L | 52.8344 gal |
Gallons to Liters Chart
| US gallons | Liters |
|---|---|
| 0.5 gal | 1.8927 L |
| 1 gal | 3.7854 L |
| 2 gal | 7.5708 L |
| 3 gal | 11.3562 L |
| 5 gal | 18.9271 L |
| 10 gal | 37.8541 L |
| 15 gal | 56.7812 L |
| 20 gal | 75.7082 L |
| 55 gal (drum) | 208.1976 L |
Everyday Examples
- Car fuel tank: a 50 L tank holds about 13.21 US gallons.
- Water cooler bottle: a 5 gallon bottle holds about 18.93 liters, often sold as a 19 L bottle.
- Aquarium: a 20 gallon tank holds about 75.71 liters of water.
- Soft drink bottle: a 2 L bottle is a little over half a US gallon (0.5283 gal).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the wrong gallon. US and imperial gallons differ by about 20%. Check which one your recipe, car manual or invoice uses.
- Multiplying instead of dividing. A gallon is bigger than a liter, so the gallon number should always be smaller.
- Rounding to 4 liters. Treating a gallon as 4 L adds about 5.7% error, which matters for fuel costs and dosing.
- Confusing dry and liquid gallons. The US dry gallon (about 4.405 L) is rarely used today. This tool uses the liquid gallon.
For temperature or length conversions on the same project, use our temperature converter or length converter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert liter to gallon?
Divide the liters by 3.78541 to get US gallons. For example, 20 L ÷ 3.78541 = 5.2834 gal.
How many liters are in a gallon?
A US gallon is 3.78541 liters. An imperial (UK) gallon is 4.54609 liters.
How many gallons is 1 liter?
One liter is 0.2642 US gallons, or about a quarter of a gallon.
How many liters is 5 gallons?
5 US gallons is 18.9271 liters.
Does this tool use US or UK gallons?
It uses the US liquid gallon. For UK gallons, divide liters by 4.54609.
Is this liter to gallon converter free?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser.