Calculators & everyday math
Liters vs. Gallons: US and UK Conversions
A gallon is not one fixed size: the US gallon and the imperial (UK) gallon differ by about 20%. Converting between liters and gallons starts with knowing which gallon is meant. This guide gives exact figures for both.
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Two gallons
| Gallon | Liters | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| US gallon | 3.785411784 | 231 cubic inches |
| Imperial (UK) gallon | 4.54609 | Defined as 4.54609 liters |
Liters to gallons
| Liters | US gallons | Imperial gallons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.2641720524 | 0.2199692483 |
| 10 | 2.641720524 | 2.199692483 |
| 20 | 5.283441047 | 4.399384966 |
| 50 | 13.20860262 | 10.99846241 |
Why fuel economy figures differ
Miles per gallon depends on which gallon is used. A car that does 40 miles per imperial gallon does about 33.3 miles per US gallon, because the US gallon is smaller. Check where a figure comes from before comparing.
Quick estimates
- US gallons ≈ liters ÷ 3.8.
- Imperial gallons ≈ liters ÷ 4.5.
Liters vs. Gallons FAQ
- How many liters are in a gallon?
- It depends which gallon: 3.785411784 liters in a US gallon, and 4.54609 liters in an imperial (UK) gallon.
- Is a US gallon smaller than a UK gallon?
- Yes, by about 16.7%. An imperial gallon is about 1.2 US gallons.
- How many gallons are in 1,000 liters?
- About 264.1720524 US gallons, or 219.9692483 imperial gallons.
- How many US gallons are in an imperial gallon?
- About 1.200949926.
- Which gallon does the Volume Converter use?
- Both. They are listed separately as US gallons and UK imperial gallons, so they can’t be mixed up.
Related guides
- US vs. Imperial VolumeWhy US and UK gallons, pints, and fluid ounces have the same names but different sizes, how they compare, and how to avoid mixing them up.
- Cups, Pints, and QuartsHow US teaspoons, tablespoons, fluid ounces, cups, pints, quarts, and gallons fit together, in milliliters, and why there are three different cups.
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