Mass per volume density.
Pounds per Gallon to Kilograms per Liter Converter — lb/gal to kg/L
Convert Pound per Gallon (lb/gal) to Kilogram per Liter (kg/L) using the exact conversion factor (1 pound per gallon = 0.1198264273 kilogram per liter). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, and common uses.
Pounds per Gallon to Kilograms per Liter converter
Converter
Density Converter
Convert thousands of mass-per-volume density combinations for science, engineering, agriculture, and fluids.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Mass per volume density.
Result = input x 119.8264273 / 1000.
Density uses kilograms per cubic meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Pounds per Gallon to Kilograms per Liter
Pound per Gallon and Kilogram per Liter both measure density — mass per unit volume — a property used to identify materials, check manufacturing quality, and predict whether something floats or sinks. As a fixed reference point, water has a density of exactly 1000 kg/m³ (1 g/cm³, 1 g/mL) at its temperature of maximum density, which is why many density figures in science and engineering are quoted relative to water. Pound per Gallon is typically associated with united States (paint, fuel, and industrial liquid density specifications), while Kilogram per Liter is typically associated with widely used internationally for fuel, oil, and food-industry density specifications.
Formula
kilograms per liter = pounds per gallon × 0.119826427317
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 pound per gallon equals 119.826427317 base units, and 1 kilogram per liter equals 1000 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct pound per gallon-to-kilogram per liter factor of 0.119826427317.
Simple example
1 lb/gal × 0.1198264273 = 0.1198264273 kg/L
1 pound per gallon = 0.1198264273 kilograms per liter.
Real-world example
1,000 lb/gal × 0.1198264273 = 119.8264273 kg/L
1,000 pounds per gallon = 119.8264273 kilograms per liter.
Conversion table
| Pound per Gallon (lb/gal) | Kilogram per Liter (kg/L) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 lb/gal | 0.0119826427 kg/L |
| 1 lb/gal | 0.1198264273 kg/L |
| 10 lb/gal | 1.198264273 kg/L |
| 100 lb/gal | 11.98264273 kg/L |
| 1,000 lb/gal | 119.8264273 kg/L |
| 10,000 lb/gal | 1,198.264273 kg/L |
Reverse conversion: Kilogram per Liter to Pound per Gallon
0.1198264273 kg/L × 8.345404452 = 0.9999999999 lb/gal
0.1198264273 kilograms per liter = 0.9999999999 pounds per gallon.
pounds per gallon = kilograms per liter × 8.34540445202
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Kilogram per Liter to Pound per Gallon.
Pound per Gallon vs. Kilogram per Liter
| Aspect | Pound per Gallon | Kilogram per Liter |
|---|---|---|
| Family | US customary density unit | metric derived density unit |
| Typical use | US paint and coatings density specifications | Fuel and petroleum density specifications (diesel is roughly 0.85 kg/L, gasoline roughly 0.74 kg/L) |
| Where it's used | United States (paint, fuel, and industrial liquid density specifications) | Widely used internationally for fuel, oil, and food-industry density specifications |
Understanding the Pound per Gallon
Pound per Gallon (lb/gal) measures density. The US customary unit for liquid density, based on the US gallon (231 cubic inches). It is classified as a US customary density unit.
Where it's used: United States (paint, fuel, and industrial liquid density specifications)
lb/gal vs. lb/ft³. Both are US customary density units; they're related through the real, fixed relationship between the US gallon and the cubic foot (1 cubic foot ≈ 7.48 US gallons), not a round conversion factor.
Uses of the Pound per Gallon today
- US paint and coatings density specifications
- US fuel and petroleum liquid density specs
- Industrial liquid handling and shipping weight calculations
Understanding the Kilogram per Liter
Kilogram per Liter (kg/L) measures density. Numerically identical to grams per milliliter and to specific gravity for water-based substances, since water has a density of very nearly 1 kg/L. It is classified as a metric derived density unit.
Where it's used: Widely used internationally for fuel, oil, and food-industry density specifications
Uses of the Kilogram per Liter today
- Fuel and petroleum density specifications (diesel is roughly 0.85 kg/L, gasoline roughly 0.74 kg/L)
- Food and beverage industry quality control
- Quick density comparisons against water, since water is almost exactly 1 kg/L
Pound per Gallon — sources
- NIST Handbook 44 — General tables of units including US customary density measures.
Kilogram per Liter — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Litre and kilogram as accepted SI and SI-derived units.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many kilograms per liter are in 1 pound per gallon?
1 pound per gallon equals 0.1198264273 kilograms per liter, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert pound per gallon to kilogram per liter?
Multiply the pound per gallon value by 0.1198264273. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert kilogram per liter back to pound per gallon?
Use the reverse factor: 1 kilogram per liter equals 8.345404452 pounds per gallon. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a pound per gallon?
Pound per Gallon (lb/gal) measures density. The US customary unit for liquid density, based on the US gallon (231 cubic inches). It is classified as a US customary density unit.
What is a kilogram per liter?
Kilogram per Liter (kg/L) measures density. Numerically identical to grams per milliliter and to specific gravity for water-based substances, since water has a density of very nearly 1 kg/L. It is classified as a metric derived density unit.
Is the pound per gallon to kilogram per liter conversion exact?
Yes. Both pound per gallon and kilogram per liter are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 0.1198264273 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.
What is the difference between lb/gal vs. lb/ft³?
Both are US customary density units; they're related through the real, fixed relationship between the US gallon and the cubic foot (1 cubic foot ≈ 7.48 US gallons), not a round conversion factor.
Where is the pound per gallon still used today?
United States (paint, fuel, and industrial liquid density specifications)