Convert liters to US gallons for fuel, water tanks, drinks, recipes, and other liquid measurements.
How to Convert Liters to US Gallons
One US gallon contains exactly 3.785411784 liters. To convert liters to US gallons, divide by 3.785411784.
US gallons = liters ÷ 3.785411784
You can also multiply by the equivalent conversion factor:
US gallons = liters × 0.2641720524
Example: Convert 20 Liters to US Gallons
20 ÷ 3.785411784 ≈ 5.28344 US gal
Therefore, 20 liters is approximately 5.28 US gallons.
Liters to US Gallons Conversion Table
| Liters (L) | US gallons (US gal) |
|---|---|
| 1 L | 0.264172 US gal |
| 2 L | 0.528344 US gal |
| 5 L | 1.32086 US gal |
| 10 L | 2.64172 US gal |
| 20 L | 5.28344 US gal |
| 25 L | 6.60430 US gal |
| 50 L | 13.2086 US gal |
| 100 L | 26.4172 US gal |
| 200 L | 52.8344 US gal |
| 1,000 L | 264.172 US gal |
Why Do Fuel Cans Show Both Litres and Gallons?
A fuel can or jerry can is a practical example of when a Litre to Gallon conversion is useful. Fuel containers may be manufactured for several countries, so their capacity is often marked in litres and gallons. A can labelled 20 L, for example, holds approximately 5.28 US gallons.
Displaying both units helps drivers compare the capacity of the can with fuel-pump readings, vehicle fuel-tank sizes and local purchase limits. It is particularly useful when a fuel can is bought in one country and used in another.
Convert Litres to Gallons for a 20-Litre Jerry Can
One litre equals approximately 0.264172 US gallons. To convert litres to US gallons, multiply the number of litres by 0.264172:
US gallons = litres × 0.264172
For a 20-litre fuel can:
20 × 0.264172 = 5.28344 US gallons
The label may round this result to 5.28 US gal. The can has not changed in size; litres and gallons are simply two ways of describing the same capacity.
Why Are Jerry Cans Commonly Measured in Litres?
The familiar rectangular jerry can became widely known as a 20-litre container. Its tall, narrow shape made it relatively easy to carry, stack and transport. Modern fuel cans are available in several capacities, but 5-litre, 10-litre and 20-litre models remain common in countries using metric measurements.
In the United States, fuel and container capacities are more commonly expressed in US gallons. A dual-unit label allows a 20-litre can to be understood immediately as a container holding a little more than five US gallons.
Common Fuel-Can Sizes in Litres and US Gallons
| Capacity in litres | Capacity in US gallons | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 L | 0.264 US gal | Small emergency fuel bottle |
| 5 L | 1.321 US gal | Lawn equipment or emergency fuel |
| 10 L | 2.642 US gal | Portable fuel supply |
| 15 L | 3.963 US gal | Vehicle or equipment reserve |
| 20 L | 5.283 US gal | Full-size jerry can |
| 25 L | 6.604 US gal | Large equipment fuel container |
US Gallons and Imperial Gallons Are Different
Before using a Litre to Gallon Converter, check which type of gallon is required. One US liquid gallon equals approximately 3.785 litres, while one Imperial gallon equals approximately 4.546 litres.
As a result, a 20-litre jerry can holds approximately 5.28 US gallons but only 4.40 Imperial gallons. A label that simply says “gallons” without identifying the system can therefore cause confusion.
How People Use the Litre to Gallon Conversion
Drivers may need to Convert Litre to Gallon measurements when calculating how much fuel a container can carry, comparing a metric fuel can with a vehicle manual, or estimating the cost of filling a can where fuel is sold by the US gallon.
The Litre to Gallon calculation is also useful for boats, generators, agricultural machinery, lawn equipment and emergency fuel supplies. Use the converter above when you need a more precise result for a container that is not included in the table.
Always use an approved fuel container and follow its stated capacity, filling instructions and safety warnings. Do not rely on a unit conversion to determine the safe filling limit of a container.