Gallon to Liter Calculator
Quickly convert US gallons to liters using our simple calculator below.
Convert Gallons to Liters
How to Convert Gallons to Liters
To convert US gallons to liters, multiply the number of gallons by 3.78541. This value represents the number of liters in one US gallon. For example, 10 gallons is equal to 10 × 3.78541 = 37.8541 liters. This conversion is commonly used in contexts such as cooking, automotive fuel measurements, industrial fluid management, and household water usage tracking.
US Gallon vs. Other Gallon Types
It’s important to distinguish between different gallon definitions around the world:
- US Liquid Gallon: 3.78541 liters
- UK (Imperial) Gallon: 4.54609 liters
- US Dry Gallon: 4.40488 liters (rarely used outside agriculture)
Our calculator is designed specifically for the US liquid gallon, which is the standard for most residential, commercial, and industrial applications in the United States.
Why Convert Gallons to Liters?
In an increasingly globalized world, unit conversions are essential for communication, compliance, and accuracy. Reasons to convert gallons to liters include:
- International Travel: Fuel is sold in liters in most countries outside the US.
- Appliance Manuals: Many household appliance capacities are listed in liters.
- Pool & Spa Maintenance: Water treatment chemicals often require dosages in liters.
- Cooking: Recipes from international sources may use liters for liquid measurements.
- Scientific and Laboratory Work: The metric system is standard in most scientific disciplines.
Common Gallon to Liter Conversions
| US Gallons | Liters |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3.78541 |
| 5 | 18.92705 |
| 10 | 37.8541 |
| 20 | 75.7082 |
| 50 | 189.2705 |
| 100 | 378.541 |
Measurement Tips
- Always confirm whether you're dealing with US or Imperial gallons.
- Use a calibrated measuring container when accuracy is important (e.g., in labs or medical settings).
- Round to the appropriate number of decimal places based on your use case.
- For large-scale conversions (e.g., thousands of gallons), consider using spreadsheets or automated systems.
Industry Applications
Volume conversions from gallons to liters are useful in various industries:
- Automotive: Converting fuel capacity, oil quantities, and coolant volumes.
- Agriculture: Mixing pesticides and fertilizers which are often measured in liters.
- Food & Beverage: International bottling and packaging standards are typically in metric units.
- Medical: Intravenous solutions and chemical compounds often require precise liter-based measurements.
- Home Improvement: Paint, sealant, and cleaning product containers often list volume in liters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is this calculator for US gallons only?
Yes. This tool is specifically designed for converting US liquid gallons to liters. For Imperial gallons, use the appropriate conversion factor of 4.54609.
What is the formula to convert gallons to liters?
The formula is: Liters = Gallons × 3.78541
Why are there different gallon sizes?
The gallon originated in different regions with varied volumes. Over time, the US and UK adopted different standards. The US gallon is now smaller than the UK gallon.
How many liters are in half a gallon?
0.5 US gallon × 3.78541 = 1.892705 liters
Can I use this for fuel conversion?
Absolutely. This calculator is ideal for converting fuel tank capacity or consumption from gallons to liters.
Is this accurate for medical or lab use?
Yes, the calculation is accurate, but for critical applications, always use calibrated lab instruments for measuring volume.
What is the difference between dry and liquid gallons?
Dry gallons are used for dry goods (like grains) and are not the same as liquid gallons. A US dry gallon is approximately 4.40488 liters.
Why is gallon still used in the US?
The US continues to use the imperial system for historical and regulatory reasons. However, many industries operate in metric alongside customary units.
What household items are measured in gallons?
Common items include paint (1 gal cans), milk jugs (1 gal), water storage containers, and cleaning solution bottles.
Can I reverse this calculation to go from liters to gallons?
This calculator does not support reverse conversion. For liters to gallons, divide the liter value by 3.78541.