Volume
Liters to gallons: US vs imperial
There are two gallons, and they differ by about 20%. Use the right one or your numbers will be off.
Quick answer
1 litre = 0.264 US gallons = 0.220 imperial gallons. US gallon = 3.785 L · imperial gallon = 4.546 L.
The formulas
US gallons = liters × 0.264172
imperial gallons = liters × 0.219969
Worked examples
- 50 L of fuel: 50 × 0.264172 = 13.2 US gal (or 11.0 imperial gal).
- 10 US gallons: 10 × 3.785412 = 37.85 L.
| Liters | US gallons | Imperial gallons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.264 | 0.220 |
| 5 | 1.321 | 1.100 |
| 10 | 2.642 | 2.200 |
| 20 | 5.283 | 4.399 |
| 50 | 13.209 | 10.998 |
Where it comes up
Fuel economy (US mpg uses US gallons), recipes, and water volumes. Mixing the two gallons is a classic source of error in travel and cooking.
Frequently asked questions
How many litres are in a gallon?
It depends which gallon. A US gallon is 3.785 litres; a UK (imperial) gallon is 4.546 litres — about 20% bigger.
Why are US and UK gallons different?
They’re two separate historical standards. The US kept an older wine gallon; the UK redefined its gallon in 1824. Always check which one a figure uses.
Which gallon should I use?
For US fuel economy, recipes, or anything American, use the US gallon. The UK now mostly uses litres, but older figures may be imperial gallons.
How do I convert litres to US gallons?
Multiply litres by 0.264172 (or divide by 3.785).