Liters to Gallons (L to gal)
To convert liters to US gallons, divide by 3.785411784, the exact size of a US gallon in liters. 20 L is 5.28 US gal and 100 L is 26.4 US gal. The UK imperial gallon is larger (4.54609 L), so the table also shows imperial gallons.
Convert liters to gallons
Result
liters to gallons
20 L = 5.28344 gal
1 L = 0.264172 gal · 1 gal = 3.78541 L
Show the mathHow it was calculated
gal = L ÷ 3.785411784
Uses exact legal definitions; results are rounded to 6 significant figures for display. Ounces, cups and gallons are US customary units unless noted.
How to convert liters to gallons
gal = L ÷ 3.785411784
One US gallon is exactly 3.785411784 liters, so divide by 3.785411784. If you'd rather multiply, use 0.264172 (rounded).
Worked example: converting 20 L:
- gal = L ÷ 3.785411784
- 20 L ÷ 3.785411784 = 5.28344 gal
Liters to gallons conversion table
Common values, each computed with the exact formula and rounded to 6 significant figures.
| Liters (L) | US gallons (gal) | Imperial gallons (UK) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 L | 0.264172 gal | 0.21997 |
| 2 L | 0.528344 gal | 0.43994 |
| 3 L | 0.792516 gal | 0.65991 |
| 4 L | 1.05669 gal | 0.87988 |
| 5 L | 1.32086 gal | 1.0998 |
| 10 L | 2.64172 gal | 2.1997 |
| 15 L | 3.96258 gal | 3.2995 |
| 19 L | 5.01927 gal | 4.1794 |
| 20 L | 5.28344 gal | 4.3994 |
| 25 L | 6.6043 gal | 5.4992 |
| 30 L | 7.92516 gal | 6.5991 |
| 40 L | 10.5669 gal | 8.7988 |
| 45 L | 11.8877 gal | 9.8986 |
| 50 L | 13.2086 gal | 10.998 |
| 55 L | 14.5295 gal | 12.098 |
| 60 L | 15.8503 gal | 13.198 |
| 70 L | 18.492 gal | 15.398 |
| 75 L | 19.8129 gal | 16.498 |
| 80 L | 21.1338 gal | 17.598 |
| 100 L | 26.4172 gal | 21.997 |
| 120 L | 31.7006 gal | 26.396 |
| 150 L | 39.6258 gal | 32.995 |
| 200 L | 52.8344 gal | 43.994 |
| 208 L | 54.9478 gal | 45.754 |
| 250 L | 66.043 gal | 54.992 |
| 500 L | 132.086 gal | 109.98 |
| 1,000 L | 264.172 gal | 219.97 |
Quick reference: everyday liters in US gallons
One liter
1 L = 0.264172 gal
One US gallon in liters
3.78541 L = 1 gal
One imperial gallon in liters
4.54609 L = 1.20095 gal
A 20 L jerry can
20 L = 5.28344 gal
A compact car's fuel tank
50 L = 13.2086 gal
A '55-gallon' drum
208 L = 54.9478 gal
Fuel tanks and fuel economy
Fuel is sold by the liter almost everywhere except the US, where it's sold by the US gallon. A 50 L tank holds 13.2 US gallons, and a 70 L tank holds 18.5. To compare pump prices, multiply the price per liter by 3.785 to get a price per US gallon, after converting the currency.
Fuel economy needs a separate conversion, because metric countries quote liters per 100 km (lower is better) while the US quotes miles per gallon (higher is better). To convert, divide 235.2 by the L/100 km figure to get US mpg. 7 L/100 km is about 33.6 mpg.
Aquariums, drums and water storage
Aquarium and water-tank sizes are sold in liters or US gallons depending on the brand's home market. A 200 L tank is 52.8 US gallons. A standard 55-gallon steel drum holds 208 L, which is why metric spec sheets list it as 208 L or 210 L.
If you're dosing water treatments or pool chemicals, check which gallon the label means. A product dosed 'per gallon' in the UK assumes the 4.55 L imperial gallon. Using that rate on US gallons slightly overdoses, by the 20% difference between the two gallons.
Frequently asked questions
Why are UK gallons different from US gallons?
The US kept the old English wine gallon of 231 cubic inches (3.785 L). In 1824 Britain defined a new imperial gallon based on the volume of 10 pounds of water, now exactly 4.54609 L. So a UK gallon is about 20% larger. That's why the same car shows a higher mpg figure in Britain than in the US.
What's a US dry gallon?
The US dry gallon (4.405 L) was used for grain and produce and is rarely seen today. Liquids, fuel and paint in the US always use the liquid gallon of 3.785 L. Unless a source explicitly says 'dry gallon', assume the liquid one, as this converter does.
How many liters are in a half gallon and a quart?
A US half gallon is 1.893 L and a US quart (a quarter gallon) is 0.946 L. That makes a 2 L bottle about 6% bigger than a half gallon, and a 1 L carton slightly bigger than a quart. For smaller amounts, the mL to fl oz converter is easier.