Sometimes you need to translate between different units of measurement. Volume is a common example, and the difference between the metric system (liters) and the U.S. system (gallons) can be confusing. Whether you’re cooking, buying supplies, or trying to figure out gas mileage, volume conversion comes in handy.
So, how many gallons is 17 liters? Seventeen liters is roughly 4.49 U.S. gallons.
This article will define liters and gallons, explain the formula for converting 17 liters to gallons, and provide a real-world example to help you understand the conversion.
What is a liter?
A liter (L) is a unit of volume in the metric system. It’s part of the International System of Units (SI) and is equal to a cubic decimeter (dm³), 1,000 cubic centimeters (cm³), or 1/1,000 of a cubic meter (m³).
The liter is a standard measurement around the world.
You may see it abbreviated as “L,” “l,” or “ℓ.”
Understanding U.S. Gallons
The U.S. gallon is a unit of volume in the U.S. customary system, mostly used for liquids. One U.S. gallon equals 231 cubic inches.
So, how many liters are in a gallon? A U.S. gallon is about 3.785 liters.
Gallons are a common way to measure liquids in the United States, such as gasoline, milk, and other drinks. You’ll see gallons used all the time in American commerce and daily life.
The conversion formula: Liters to U.S. gallons
To convert liters to U.S. gallons, you can use this handy formula.
Conversion factor
One liter equals about 0.264172 U.S. gallons. This conversion factor is based on the relationship between liters and cubic inches.
Formula and calculation
Here’s the formula you’ll need:
U.S. Gallons = Liters × 0.264172
So, to convert 17 liters to U.S. gallons, you’ll multiply like this:
U.S. Gallons = 17 × 0.264172 = 4.490924
Rounding the result
For most situations, rounding to 4.49 gallons is accurate enough.
Practical applications of liter to gallon conversions
It might seem like a liter to gallon conversion is just a math problem, but these conversions can be useful in everyday life.
Everyday scenarios
- Cooking and baking. Some recipes call for liquids in liters, while others use gallons or quarts.
- Purchasing liquids. You may want to compare the price of something sold by the liter against a similar product sold by the gallon.
- Fuel efficiency. Cars sold in the U.S. often have fuel efficiency measured in miles per gallon (MPG), while other countries measure fuel efficiency in liters per 100 kilometers.
Examples
Let’s say bottled water is selling for $2 per liter. How can you find the price per gallon?
Since there are 3.785 liters in a gallon, you can multiply $2 by 3.785 to get $7.57. So, $2 per liter is the same as about $7.57 per gallon.
Or, let’s say you’re trying to compare the fuel efficiency of two different cars. One car gets 8 liters per 100 kilometers, while the other gets 30 miles per gallon. To compare them, you’ll need to convert to the same units. Eight liters per 100 kilometers is about 29.4 miles per gallon.
U.S. Gallons vs. Imperial Gallons
It’s important to know that there are actually two different kinds of gallons: U.S. gallons and Imperial (UK) gallons. They’re both units of volume, but they aren’t the same.
For reference, one Imperial gallon equals 4.54609 liters.
This article focuses on how to convert liters into U.S. gallons.
The Bottom Line
To quickly convert liters to U.S. gallons, multiply the number of liters by 0.264172. So, 17 liters is about 4.49 U.S. gallons.
Understanding unit conversions like this is important in all sorts of situations, from cooking to construction. Now you know how to switch between liters and gallons!