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Liters to Gallons Converter

Convert liters to gallons instantly — with a two-way calculator, full conversion chart, and real-world examples for fuel, water, cooking, and purchasing.

⚡ Quick Answer
1 liter = 0.2642 US gallons. To convert liters to gallons, multiply by 0.264172. Example: 10 L × 0.264172 = 2.642 gallons. Reverse: 1 gallon = 3.785 L.

Liters to Gallons Converter

0.264172
US gallons
Gallons to Liters Converter
3.785411
liters
L → gal: gal = L × 0.264172  |  gal → L: L = gal × 3.78541

Common Liters to Gallons Conversions

The most frequently searched liter-to-gallon values — from a single liter up to large tank capacities:

  • 0.5 L to gallons: 0.5 × 0.264172 = 0.132 gal
  • 1 L to gallons: 1 × 0.264172 = 0.264 gal
  • 1.5 L to gallons: 1.5 × 0.264172 = 0.396 gal
  • 2 L to gallons: 2 × 0.264172 = 0.528 gal
  • 3 L to gallons: 3 × 0.264172 = 0.793 gal
  • 3.785 L to gallons: 3.785 × 0.264172 = 1.000 gal
  • 5 L to gallons: 5 × 0.264172 = 1.321 gal
  • 10 L to gallons: 10 × 0.264172 = 2.642 gal
  • 20 L to gallons: 20 × 0.264172 = 5.283 gal
  • 50 L to gallons: 50 × 0.264172 = 13.209 gal

Liters to Gallons Conversion Chart

Complete reference table from 0.5 liters to 100 liters with fluid ounce equivalents:

Liters (L)US GallonsUS Fluid OzCommon Context
0.5 L0.132 gal16.91 fl ozStandard water bottle
1 L0.264 gal33.81 fl oz1-litre bottle
1.5 L0.396 gal50.72 fl ozLarge sparkling water
2 L0.528 gal67.63 fl oz2-litre soda bottle
3 L0.793 gal101.4 fl oz
3.785 L1.000 gal128 fl oz1 US gallon
4 L1.057 gal135.3 fl oz
5 L1.321 gal169.1 fl ozLarge water jug
7.571 L2.000 gal256 fl oz2 US gallons
10 L2.642 gal338.1 fl oz
15 L3.963 gal507.2 fl oz
18.93 L5.000 gal640 fl oz5-gallon jug / fuel can
20 L5.283 gal676.3 fl ozLarge drum
37.85 L10.000 gal1,280 fl oz10-gallon tank
50 L13.209 gal1,690 fl oz
100 L26.417 gal3,381 fl ozLarge storage tank

How to Convert Liters to Gallons

The liters-to-gallons conversion uses a single multiplication factor:

US gallons = liters × 0.264172   |   liters = gallons × 3.78541

Where Does 0.264172 Come From?

It is the reciprocal of 3.78541 (the number of liters per US gallon). Since 1 ÷ 3.78541 = 0.264172, multiplying any liter value by 0.264172 converts it to US gallons precisely.

Quick Mental Estimate

For fast mental math, use ¼ gallon per liter as an approximation. It's slightly low (0.25 vs 0.264) but useful for quick estimates. Example: 8 liters ≈ 2 gallons (exact: 2.113 gal).

Gallons to Liters Reference

The reverse conversion — gallons to liters — is equally common, especially when comparing US product sizes with metric equivalents:

US GallonsLiters (L)Common Context
0.25 gal (1 qt)0.946 LQuart carton
0.5 gal1.893 LHalf-gallon jug
1 gal3.785 LGallon water jug
2 gal7.571 L
5 gal18.93 LFuel can / water cooler
10 gal37.85 LFish tank / small drum
15 gal56.78 LAverage sedan fuel tank
20 gal75.71 LSUV fuel tank

For fluid ounce equivalents, use our gallon to oz converter or the oz to liter tool.

Real-Life Uses for Liters to Gallons Conversion

Fuel Economy Comparisons

European fuel economy is measured in litres per 100 km (L/100km). American fuel economy uses miles per gallon (mpg). Converting between the two requires both a liter-to-gallon conversion and a km-to-mile conversion. A car rated at 6 L/100km achieves approximately 39.2 US mpg — numbers that look very different without the conversion.

Importing Appliances

European washing machines, dishwashers, and refrigerators list water capacities in litres. American equivalents list in gallons. A washing machine using "50 L per cycle" uses about 13.2 US gallons — context that matters when comparing water efficiency ratings.

Aquariums and Fish Tanks

Fish tanks sold in Europe are sized in litres; US tanks in gallons. A 200-litre tank = 52.8 US gallons. Knowing this lets you use US-labelled chemicals, filtration equipment, and feeding guides with metric-sized tanks.

Cooking with International Recipes

A soup recipe calling for "4 litres of stock" needs 4 × 0.264172 = 1.057 US gallons — just over one gallon jug. Converting lets you buy the right amount without waste. For full cooking measurement coverage see: Liquid Measurement Conversion Chart.

Official conversion standards: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many gallons is 1 liter?
1 liter = approximately 0.2642 US gallons. Conversely, 1 US gallon = 3.785 liters.
How many liters is 1 gallon?
1 US gallon = 3.78541 liters. This is the standard US liquid gallon.
How many gallons is 5 liters?
5 liters = approximately 1.321 US gallons (5 × 0.264172).
How many gallons is 10 liters?
10 liters = approximately 2.642 US gallons (10 × 0.264172).
How do you convert liters to gallons?
Multiply liters by 0.264172. Formula: gallons = liters × 0.264172. For a rough estimate, divide liters by 4.
How many liters in a half gallon?
A half gallon = 1.8927 liters (3.78541 ÷ 2).