Introduction
If you’ve ever been confused about how many liters are in a gallon, you’re not alone. The difference between the US gallon and the Imperial gallon can make conversions tricky. Whether you’re dealing with gasoline, water, or any liquid measurement, knowing how to convert liters into gallons is helpful.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How many liters are in a gallon
- The difference between US and Imperial gallons
- How to convert liters into gallons easily
- How many liters are in a gallon of gas
- Why different gallon measurements exist
Let’s dive in and clear up the confusion!
Quick Conversion Table: Liters to Gallons
Here’s a handy reference table for common conversions.
| Liters (L) | US Gallons (gal) | Imperial Gallons (gal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 liter | 0.264 gal | 0.22 gal |
| 2 liters | 0.528 gal | 0.44 gal |
| 3 liters | 0.792 gal | 0.66 gal |
| 4 liters | 1.06 gal | 0.88 gal |
| 5 liters | 1.32 gal | 1.1 gal |
| 10 liters | 2.64 gal | 2.2 gal |
| 20 liters | 5.28 gal | 4.4 gal |
| 50 liters | 13.2 gal | 11 gal |
| 100 liters | 26.4 gal | 22 gal |
How Many Liters in a Gallon?
There are two main types of gallons used worldwide:
- US Gallon = 3.785 liters
- Imperial (UK) Gallon = 4.546 liters
Why Two Different Gallons?
The US gallon and the Imperial gallon come from different historical measurement systems:
- The US gallon is based on the old British wine gallon used in the 18th century.
- The Imperial gallon was later standardized in the UK in 1824 and is larger.
Since the US never adopted the metric system fully, it continues using the smaller US gallon, while the UK and Commonwealth nations switched to the Imperial gallon.
How to Convert Liters into Gallons
Conversion is super easy if you know these two key numbers:
- 1 US gallon = 3.785 liters
- 1 Imperial gallon = 4.546 liters
Convert Liters to Gallons
To convert liters into gallons, use these formulas:
- US Gallons = Liters ÷ 3.785
- Imperial Gallons = Liters ÷ 4.546
Example Conversions
- 10 liters to gallons (US) → 10 ÷ 3.785 = 2.64 gallons
- 10 liters to gallons (UK) → 10 ÷ 4.546 = 2.2 gallons
- 50 liters to gallons (US) → 50 ÷ 3.785 = 13.2 gallons
- 100 liters to gallons (UK) → 100 ÷ 4.546 = 22 gallons
If you need quick conversions, just remember:
1 liter ≈ 0.26 US gallons and 1 liter ≈ 0.22 Imperial gallons.
How Many Liters in a Gallon of Gas?
Gasoline is usually sold by the gallon in the United States and by the liter in most other countries.
- In the US, 1 gallon of gas is 3.785 liters.
- In Canada and the UK, 1 gallon of gas is 4.546 liters (if measured in Imperial gallons).
This means when you compare gas prices between the US and Canada, make sure you’re using the correct gallon size for an accurate comparison.
Why Does the US Still Use Gallons Instead of Liters?
The US is one of the few countries that still uses the Imperial system instead of metric measurements. Some reasons include:
- The US Customary System was deeply ingrained in daily life when metrication efforts started.
- Businesses resisted changing because it would be expensive to update gas stations, road signs, and product labels.
- People were already comfortable using miles, feet, pounds, and gallons.
- The government never made a full legal switch to metric.
However, the metric system is used in many scientific, industrial, and international trade settings in the US.
Conclusion
Now you know how many liters are in a gallon and the difference between the US and Imperial gallon.
To summarize:
- 1 US gallon = 3.785 liters
- 1 Imperial gallon = 4.546 liters
- To convert liters into gallons, divide liters by 3.785 (US) or 4.546 (Imperial).
- A gallon of gas in the US is 3.785 liters, while in Canada/UK, it’s 4.546 liters.
Next time you’re at the gas station or comparing fuel efficiency, you’ll know exactly what those numbers mean!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many liters are in 1 gallon of water?
- 1 US gallon of water = 3.785 liter’s
- 1 Imperial gallon of water = 4.546 liter’s
2. How do I convert liters into gallons?
Use these formulas:
- US gallons = Liter’s ÷ 3.785
- Imperial gallons = Liter’s ÷ 4.546
3. How many liters in a gallon of gas?
- US gas gallon = 3.785 liter’s
- Canadian/UK gas gallon = 4.546 liter’s
4. Why are US gallons and Imperial gallons different?
The US uses an older British measurement, while the UK later standardized a larger gallon in 1824.
5. Do any countries still use gallons?
Yes! The United States still uses US gallons, while Canada, the UK, and other Commonwealth nations use liters for fuel.