How many liters are in a gallon? + Conversion Charts
Are you ever in the kitchen and left wondering how many liters are in a gallon? Learn everything there is to know about converting liters to gallons.
Have you ever been in the kitchen, ready to follow a recipe, only to stumble upon measurements that don’t seem to make sense? If you’ve ever wondered, “how many liters are in a gallon?” or “what’s the difference between a liter and a gallon?” then you’re in the right place.
Understanding this basic conversion can save you a lot of time, especially when dealing with recipes or cooking techniques from different parts of the world.
This article will explain everything you need to know about liters and gallons and how to convert between the two.
What is a liter?
A liter (also spelled litre) is a metric unit of volume. It’s defined as the volume of a cube that’s 10 centimeters on each side. Liters are used in most countries for measuring liquids like water, milk, and gasoline. They’re also common in cooking, especially in countries that use the metric system.
What is a gallon?
A gallon is a larger unit of volume used mainly in the United States and a few other countries. There are actually two types of gallons: the US gallon and the Imperial gallon. The US gallon is smaller, holding about 3.78541 liters, while the Imperial gallon holds about 4.54609 liters. Gallons are often used for larger quantities of liquids, like milk sold in grocery stores or gas at the pump.
How many liters are in a gallon?
How many liters per gallon? The answer depends on which gallon you’re talking about. In the US, 1 gallon is equal to about 3.78541 liters. But if you’re using the Imperial gallon (common in the UK and some other countries), 1 gallon is about 4.54609 liters. This difference can cause confusion, especially when following recipes or comparing fuel consumption across countries.
Measurement systems
Liters belong to the metric system, which is used in most countries worldwide. It’s based on units of 10, making conversions between different volumes (like milliliters to liters) relatively easy.
Gallons, on the other hand, are part of the Imperial system (UK) or the US customary system. These systems are less standardized globally and can be trickier to work with.
Converting between liters and gallons
Converting between liters and gallons is straightforward once you know the conversion factors.
For U.S. gallons to liters, the conversion factor is 3.78541. For U.K. gallons to liters, the conversion factor is 4.54609.
Here’s how you can convert:
U.S. Gallons to Liters: Multiply the number of gallons by 3.78541.
U.K. Gallons to Liters: Multiply the number of gallons by 4.54609.
Liters to U.S. Gallons: Divide the number of liters by 3.78541.
Liters to U.K. Gallons: Divide the number of liters by 4.54609.
Conversion chart: liters to gallons
| Liters | US Gallons | Imperial Gallons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.26 | 0.22 |
| 5 | 1.32 | 1.10 |
| 10 | 2.64 | 2.20 |
| 20 | 5.28 | 4.40 |
Conversion chart: gallons to liters
| US Gallons | Liters | Imperial Gallons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3.79 | 0.83 |
| 2 | 7.57 | 1.67 |
| 5 | 18.93 | 4.16 |
| 10 | 37.85 | 8.33 |
Download the printable liters to gallons conversion chart.
Frequently asked questions
The difference between US and Imperial gallons stems from historical developments in measurement systems. The US gallon is 128 fluid ounces (about 3.785 liters), while the Imperial gallon is 160 fluid ounces (approximately 4.546 liters). These differences arose as regions developed their systems independently.
The type of gallon you should use depends on your location and the context of your measurement. If you’re in the United States or using a US-based recipe or product, you’ll typically use the US gallon (3.785 liters). If you’re in the UK or using British measurements, you’ll use the Imperial gallon (4.546 liters).
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