How Many Liters Are in a Gallon and Gallons in a Liter: Liters to Gallons and Gallons to Liters

Convert liters to gallons and gallons to liters using our conversion tables, conversion calculators, and learn the relationship between these two units.

Conversion of liters to gallons and gallons to liters is an easy one since both units are units of volume. Just be aware that there are three gallons in general use including US liquid gallon, US dry gallon, and Imperial gallon.

Liters to Gallons and Gallons to Liters Conversion Calculator

In order to convert liters to US fluid gallons and US fluid gallons to liters, feel free to use this conversion calculator - write the value that You have and click 'Calculate' to convert it:

Conversion Formulas

A liter is a metric system unit of volume and is equal to 1 cubic decimeter (dm³), 1000 cubic centimeters (cm³), or 0.001 cubic meters (m³).

One liter occupies a volume of 0.1m x 0.1m x 0.1m and thus equals to one-thousandth (0.001 m³) of a cubic meter.

Thus, gallons-liter conversion formulas are:

• 1 US Liquid Gallon = 128 US Fluid Ounces (fl oz) = 3.78541 liters
• 1 US Dry Gallon = 148.95 US Fluid Ounces (fl oz) = 4.4049 liters
• 1 Imp Liquid Gallon = 160 Imp Fluid Ounces = 4.54609 liters

In most situations, US liquid gallons are used for liter-to-gallon and gallon-to-liter conversions.

Conversion Examples

If You have 2 gallons (US/Imp) that would be:

V_(liters) = 3.78541 * V_{(US fluid gallon)} = 3.78541 * 2 = 7.57082 liters

V_(liters) = 4.4049 * V_{(US dry gallon)} = 4.4049 * 2 = 8.8098 liters

V_(liters) = 4.54609 * V_{(Imp gallon)} = 4.54609 * 2 = 9.09218 liters

Brief History of Gallons and Liters

The gallon and the liter, two fundamental units of volume, have distinct origins and have evolved through complex pathways to become standard measurements used globally today.

The gallon's history traces back to medieval England, where it was used as a measure for wine and beer. Initially, the size of the gallon varied depending on the commodity being measured and the region.

By the 14th century, the gallon based on the British wine gallon became more standardized at about 231 cubic inches, primarily due to its convenience in trade and taxation.

Over the centuries, the definition of the gallon continued to evolve. In the United States, the gallon used today, known as the US liquid gallon, measures precisely 231 cubic inches, or about 3.785 liters, and is used in everyday transactions.

Meanwhile, the British Imperial gallon, established in 1824, is larger, defined as 4.54609 liters, and is used in some Commonwealth countries.

US Fluid Gallon vs. US Dry Gallon

The U.S. fluid gallon and the U.S. dry gallon are two distinct units used to measure volume but serve different purposes.

The U.S. fluid gallon, commonly used for measuring liquids, is defined as exactly 231 cubic inches or approximately 3.785 liters. It is widely used in daily life, especially for commodities like gasoline and milk.

In contrast, the U.S. dry gallon, less commonly used, is defined as 1/8th of a U.S. bushel, approximately 4.405 liters.

It is specifically designed for use with dry materials like grains and other agricultural commodities.

The difference in volume reflects the nature of the substances they are intended to measure, ensuring precision and appropriateness for specific types of goods.

Liters and Metric System

On the other hand, the liter's origin is tied to the metric system, a revolutionary change developed during the French Revolution in the late 18th century aimed at standardizing measurements.

The liter was initially defined as the volume of one kilogram of water at its maximum density under standard atmospheric pressure. This definition was later refined with the introduction of the metric system, and in 1795, the liter was officially described as one cubic decimeter.

The adoption of the metric system spread across many countries, leading to the widespread use of the liter in science and commerce, favored for its simplicity and relationship to the base-10 system.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the gallon and the liter were shaped by industrial advances and international trade, leading to their current forms and uses in different parts of the world.

While the gallon remains predominant in the United States and a few other countries for non-scientific purposes, the liter is globally recognized in scientific and standardized applications, illustrating how historical and cultural factors can influence the evolution and adoption of measurement units.

Liters to US Fluid Gallons and US Fluid Gallons to Liters Conversion Table

Here is a liters to gallons and gallons to liters quick conversion table to aid You with unit' conversions:

For more values, please, use the conversion calculators.