Gallons to Liters Converter - Convert gal to L Instantly
Convert US gallons (gal) to liters (L) quickly and accurately with this easy-to-use volume converter. Ideal for fuel calculations, cooking, aquariums, beverages, and engineering tasks that require precise liquid measurements.
Note: This tool converts US liquid gallons to liters. For Imperial (UK) gallons, use the dedicated Imperial gallons to liters converter.
About Gallons to Liters Conversion
Gallons (gal) and liters (L) are two of the most common units for liquid volume. The US gallon is widely used in the United States for fuel, beverages, and various commodities, while the liter—an SI (metric) unit—is used internationally in consumer packaging, science, and engineering. Whether you're comparing fuel tank sizes, adapting a recipe, or converting technical documentation, translating gallons to liters is a frequent and practical task.
The exact relationship is defined by a constant: 1 US gallon = 3.785411784 liters. To convert gallons to liters, simply multiply by this factor. The inverse operation—liters to gallons—divides by the same value. Using an exact factor helps ensure your numbers are consistent across scientific calculations, industrial processes, and everyday use.
Gallons to Liters Formula
Use the direct multiplication method:
liters = gallons (US) × 3.785411784Example:
10 gal (US) = 10 × 3.785411784 = 37.85412 L
To convert in the opposite direction:
gallons (US) = liters ÷ 3.785411784.
US vs Imperial Gallons
There are two widely referenced gallons: US gallon (3.785411784 L) and Imperial/UK gallon (4.54609 L). This page uses the US gallon. If your context uses Imperial units—such as certain UK or Commonwealth references—choose the correct gallon unit to avoid errors of roughly 20%.
Why Convert Gallons to Liters?
- ⛽ Fuel & automotive: Compare gas station volumes (gal) with technical specs in liters.
- 🥤 Beverages & foodservice: Standardize packaging or recipes across US and international markets.
- 🐠 Aquariums & pools: Calculate treatments, filter capacities, and water changes accurately.
- 🧪 Science & industry: Convert tankage, reagents, and process volumes for documentation.
- 📦 Logistics: Align shipping and storage data when suppliers use different unit systems.
Common Conversions
- 1 gal (US) = 3.78541 L
- 2 gal (US) = 7.57082 L
- 5 gal (US) = 18.92706 L
- 10 gal (US) = 37.85412 L
- 20 gal (US) = 75.70824 L
- 50 gal (US) = 189.27089 L
- 100 gal (US) = 378.54118 L
What is a US Gallon?
A US gallon is a customary unit of volume used for gasoline, beverages, and many liquid products in the United States. It contains exactly 3.785411784 liters. Be careful not to confuse it with the larger Imperial (UK) gallon of 4.54609 liters.
What is a Liter?
The liter is a metric unit of volume commonly used worldwide. It integrates cleanly with other SI units and is convenient for everyday quantities as well as technical work. You'll see liters on beverage labels, medical solutions, and scientific equipment.
Step-by-Step: Converting gal to L
- Write down your volume in US gallons.
- Multiply by 3.785411784.
- Express the result in L (liters).
Example walkthrough:
Input: 7.5 gal (US)
Multiply: 7.5 × 3.785411784 = 28.39059
Output: 28.39059 LPrecision, Rounding & Significant Figures
For general use, 5 decimal places are ample. In scientific or industrial contexts, match the precision of your instruments or data standards. Keep significant figures consistent across your calculations to avoid rounding artifacts and to maintain reproducibility.
Use Cases of Gallons → Liters
- 🚗 Fuel logs and trip planning when traveling between unit systems.
- 🥛 Beverage production scaling for export markets using metric units.
- 🏗️ Industrial mixing and batching recipes specified in different units.
- 🏊 Pool/spa volume estimation for chemical dosing.
- 🐟 Aquarium setup and maintenance calculations.
Quick Reference Table
| Gallons (US gal) | Liters (L) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3.78541 |
| 2 | 7.57082 |
| 5 | 18.92706 |
| 10 | 37.85412 |
| 20 | 75.70824 |
| 50 | 189.27089 |
| 100 | 378.54118 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you convert gallons to liters?
Use the formula: liters = gallons × 3.785411784. One US gallon equals exactly 3.785411784 liters, so multiply gallons by this value to get liters.
How many liters are in 1 gallon?
1 US gallon equals exactly 3.785411784 liters. For quick estimates, you can use 3.7854.
Is a US gallon the same as an Imperial (UK) gallon?
No. A US gallon is 3.785411784 liters, while an Imperial (UK) gallon is 4.54609 liters. This tool converts US gallons to liters.
How many gallons are in a liter?
1 liter is approximately 0.264172 US gallons. To convert liters to gallons, divide liters by 3.785411784.
How many milliliters are in a US gallon?
1 US gallon = 3,785.411784 milliliters (mL). Since 1 liter = 1,000 mL, multiply liters by 1,000 to get mL.
Tips for Working with Liters
- For kitchen tasks, convert liters to milliliters or US fluid ounces to simplify measuring tools.
- When documenting results, include the exact factor (3.785411784) so others can reproduce your calculations.
- If your context might use Imperial units, clearly label outputs as US gallons or liters to avoid mix-ups.