Convert liters to gallons

Liter

Definition
A liter (symbol: L) is a non-SI unit of volume commonly used alongside the International System of Units. By definition, 1 L = 1 cubic decimeter (dm³) = 1 000 cubic centimeters (cm³) = 0.001 cubic meters (m³).

Origins
Between 1901 and 1964, the liter was briefly tied to the mass of one kilogram of pure water at its point of maximum density. Variations in water’s properties—and a slight error in the kilogram prototype—led to today’s simpler definition: exactly one cubic decimeter.

Where You’ll See It
Liters dominate liquid measurements worldwide—beverage bottles, milk cartons, and fuel pumps. Beyond liquids, you’ll find liters used to describe car trunk and backpack capacities, appliance interiors, and more on our converter pages.

U.S. Gallon

Definition
The U.S. liquid gallon (symbol: gal US) is defined as 231 in³, which equals 3.785411784 L. It divides into four quarts, each quart into two pints, each pint into two cups, and each cup into two gills (for a total of 32 gills per gallon). A U.S. gill contains four U.S. fluid ounces (1/128 gal).

Origins
“Gallon” comes from Old Northern French galon, originally used for wine and ale measures in medieval England. Over time, distinct wine, ale, and imperial gallons emerged; today, the U.S. gallon remains in everyday use in America.

Where You’ll See It
In the United States, gallon measurements appear on milk jugs, ice-cream tubs, and fuel economy ratings. While Canada and the U.K. largely use liters for liquid volumes, the U.S. gallon persists—especially at the pump.

Liter → U.S. Gallon Conversion Table

How to Convert

• 1 L = 0.26417205 gal US

• 1 gal US = 3.78541178 L

Example

To convert 15 L into U.S. gallons:

15 L × 0.26417205 gal US/L = 3.96258078 gal US