Unit Converter · Practical guide
How Many Liters in a Gallon?
One US gallon is 3.78541 liters — here is the quick math plus a lookup table for common amounts.
At a glance
The Short Answer
1 US gallon = 3.78541 liters. So a 2-gallon container holds about 7.57 L, and a standard 5-gallon gas can holds 18.93 L. Enter any gallon amount in the converter above (Volume category, gal to l) for an exact figure to six decimals.
Interactive tool
Unit Converter
Enter your own values, then compare the result with the examples below.
Result
Quick Gallon-to-Liter Table
| US Gallons | Liters | Common Item |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 gal | 1.89271 L | Half-gallon of milk |
| 1 gal | 3.78541 L | Gallon jug |
| 2 gal | 7.57082 L | Water cooler bottle |
| 5 gal | 18.92705 L | Gas can, paint bucket |
| 10 gal | 37.8541 L | Small aquarium |
Going the Other Way
One liter is 0.264172 US gallons — roughly four liters to a gallon. To convert liters to gallons by hand, divide by 3.78541: a 2-liter soda bottle is 2 ÷ 3.78541 = 0.528 gal, just over half a gallon.
US Gallon vs. Imperial Gallon
The UK's imperial gallon is 4.54609 L — about 20% larger than the US gallon. If a UK recipe or fuel figure looks off, this is usually why. This converter uses US customary units, so results assume the 3.78541 L gallon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many liters are in a half gallon?
A half US gallon is 1.89271 liters, just under 1.9 L. That is the standard size of a half-gallon milk or juice carton.
How many gallons are in a liter?
One liter equals 0.264172 US gallons. Four liters is about 1.057 gallons, slightly more than one gallon.
Is a UK gallon the same as a US gallon?
No. The imperial gallon used in the UK is 4.54609 liters, about 20% larger than the 3.78541-liter US gallon.
How many liters are in a 5-gallon bucket?
Five US gallons equal 18.927 liters. Multiply gallons by 3.78541 to get liters for any amount.