How to Convert Liters to Gallons: US Customary vs. Imperial
Table of Contents
When converting fluid volumes between the metric system and English units, confusion frequently arises because the word "gallon" refers to two distinctly different volumes depending on whether you are in the United States or the United Kingdom.
The Crucial Distinction: US Liquid vs. UK Imperial Gallons
- US Liquid Gallon: Officially defined as 231 cubic inches, equal to 3.785411784 Liters.
- UK Imperial Gallon: Officially defined as the volume of 10 pounds of distilled water at 62°F, equal to exactly 4.54609 Liters.
Key takeaway: An Imperial Gallon is approximately 20% larger than a US Gallon! A British pint is 20 fluid ounces, while a US pint is 16 fluid ounces.
Converting Liters to US Liquid Gallons
To convert Liters (L) to US Liquid Gallons (gal), multiply by 0.264172 (or divide by 3.78541):
US Gallons = Liters × 0.264172
Convert Fluid Volumes Instantly
Calculate Liters, US Gallons, UK Imperial Gallons, Milliliters, and Cups in real time.
Converting Liters to UK Imperial Gallons
To convert Liters (L) to UK Imperial Gallons (imp gal), multiply by 0.219969 (or divide by 4.54609):
UK Imperial Gallons = Liters × 0.219969
Liters to Gallons Comparison Table
| Liters (L) | US Liquid Gallons | UK Imperial Gallons | Direct Tool Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 L | 0.2642 gal | 0.2200 imp gal | Calculate 1 L → |
| 5 L | 1.3209 gal | 1.0998 imp gal | Calculate 5 L → |
| 10 L | 2.6417 gal | 2.1997 imp gal | Calculate 10 L → |
| 20 L | 5.2834 gal | 4.3994 imp gal | Calculate 20 L → |
| 50 L (Car Fuel Tank) | 13.2086 gal | 10.9985 imp gal | Calculate 50 L → |
Fuel Economy (L/100km vs. MPG) Context
When comparing vehicle fuel efficiency specifications:
- In the US,
30 MPG (US)corresponds to approximately7.84 Liters per 100 km. - In the UK,
30 MPG (Imp)corresponds to approximately9.42 Liters per 100 kmbecause the UK gallon contains more fuel.