Unit Converter
Convert From Litres to Gallons and Vice Versa
Litres ↔ Gallons
Type in either litres or gallons — it’ll convert to the other automatically!
🧴 What is a Litre (L)?
A litre is a unit of volume in the metric system, widely used across the globe for measuring liquids like water, fuel, and beverages. 1 litre = 1,000 millilitres or about 0.2642 US gallons.
🛢️ What is a Gallon (gal)?
A gallon is a unit of volume used in the United States and some Caribbean countries. The **US gallon** is equal to 3.78541 litres. (Note: The UK or Imperial gallon is different, equal to 4.54609 litres.)
🧠 Quick Comparison
| Unit | Equivalent | Used In |
|---|---|---|
| 1 litre (L) | 0.2642 US gal | Global standard (science, retail, recipes) |
| 1 US gallon | 3.78541 L | USA (fuel, beverages, utilities) |
🧮 How to Convert
Litres to US Gallons: gal = L × 0.2642
US Gallons to Litres: L = gal × 3.78541
Example:
10 L × 0.2642 = 2.642 gallons
💡 Pro Tip
When converting fuel economy or filling tanks abroad, check if your car or container uses **litres** or **gallons (US or UK)**—using the wrong unit can cost you more than just confusion!
🎉 Did You Know?
The litre was originally defined in 1795 in France as the volume of a cube 10 cm on each side—and today it's used in over 160 countries.
🚗 Real-World Volume Examples
- 1 Litre – A standard water bottle or milk carton
- 3.8 L (1 gal) – A U.S. milk jug or small paint bucket
- 50 L – A medium car’s full fuel tank
- 1000 L – 1 cubic metre, often used in water tanks or shipping
📊 Litres to Gallons (US) Conversion Chart
| Litres (L) | US Gallons (gal) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.2642 |
| 5 | 1.321 |
| 10 | 2.642 |
| 20 | 5.284 |
| 50 | 13.21 |
| 100 | 26.42 |
📜 Timeline: Litre vs Gallon
- 1795: Litre introduced during the French Revolution as part of the metric system
- 1824: UK defines the Imperial gallon (4.54609 L)
- 1893: US adopts the current definition of the gallon (3.78541 L)
🌍 When to Use Litres vs Gallons
- ⛽ Gallons (US): Used in the USA for fuel and beverages
- 🧃 Litres: Used globally in drinks, recipes, engines, and science
- 📏 UK Gallons: Still appear in older British references, but the UK now uses litres officially