Litres to Gallons Conversion: Formula and Reference Chart
Convert litres to gallons (US and UK) and back. Fuel consumption, cooking, and everyday reference.
Litres vs Gallons
The litre is the metric unit of liquid volume used by almost every country. The gallon is used primarily in the United States and, for some purposes, the United Kingdom.
Complication: There are two gallons:
US gallon: 3.78541 litres. Used in the US for fuel, milk, and most liquids.
UK (Imperial) gallon: 4.54609 litres. Used in the UK for fuel economy (mpg).
When someone says "gallon" without qualification, they usually mean US gallon.
Conversion Formulas
Litres to US gallons: Divide by 3.785 (or multiply by 0.2642)
US gallons to litres: Multiply by 3.785
Litres to UK gallons: Divide by 4.546 (or multiply by 0.2200)
UK gallons to litres: Multiply by 4.546
Quick Reference
| Litres | US Gallons | UK Gallons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 L | 0.264 gal | 0.220 gal |
| 5 L | 1.32 gal | 1.10 gal |
| 10 L | 2.64 gal | 2.20 gal |
| 40 L | 10.57 gal | 8.80 gal |
| 1 US gal | — | 3.785 L |
| 1 UK gal | — | 4.546 L |
Fuel Economy: L/100km vs MPG
India uses litres per 100km (L/100km) for fuel economy.
US uses miles per gallon (MPG).
UK uses miles per gallon (using UK gallons).
Convert: 40 L/100km ≈ 5.9 MPG (US). Better fuel economy = lower L/100km = higher MPG.
Frequently asked questions
How many litres is 1 US gallon?
1 US gallon = 3.785 litres. 1 UK gallon = 4.546 litres.
How do I convert fuel tank capacity from litres to gallons?
Divide litres by 3.785 to get US gallons. Example: 60 litre tank = 60 ÷ 3.785 = 15.85 US gallons.