A US liquid gallon is exactly 3.785411784 liters.
Gallons to Centiliters Converter — gal to cL
Convert Gallon (gal) to Centiliter (cL) using the exact conversion factor (1 gallon = 378.5411784 centiliter). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Gallons to Centiliters converter
Converter
Volume Converter
Convert metric, US customary, imperial, cooking, dry, and industrial volume units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Centiliter is 0.01 liter units.
Result = input x 0.003785411784 / 1e-5.
Volume uses the cubic meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Gallons to Centiliters
Gallon and Centiliter appear side by side at fuel pumps and on beverage labels, since the US measures liquids in gallons while most of the world uses liters. Gallon is most often used for fuel pump and vehicle fuel-economy measurement in the us.
Formula
centiliters = gallons × 378.5411784
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 gallon equals 0.003785411784 base units, and 1 centiliter equals 0.00001 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct gallon-to-centiliter factor of 378.5411784.
Simple example
1 gal × 378.5411784 = 378.5411784 cL
1 gallon = 378.5411784 centiliters.
Real-world example
10 gal × 378.5411784 = 3,785.411784 cL
10 gallons = 3,785.411784 centiliters.
Conversion table
| Gallon (gal) | Centiliter (cL) |
|---|---|
| 1 gal | 378.5411784 cL |
| 5 gal | 1,892.705892 cL |
| 10 gal | 3,785.411784 cL |
| 25 gal | 9,463.52946 cL |
| 50 gal | 18,927.05892 cL |
| 100 gal | 37,854.11784 cL |
Reverse conversion: Centiliter to Gallon
378.5411784 cL × 0.002641720524 = 1 gal
378.5411784 centiliters = 1 gallon.
gallons = centiliters × 0.00264172052358
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Centiliter to Gallon.
Understanding the Gallon
Gallon (gal) measures volume. The US liquid gallon is defined as exactly 231 cubic inches, equal to 3.785411784 liters. It is classified as a US customary unit.
Where it's used: United States (fuel, beverage, and liquid measurement)
US gallon vs. imperial gallon. The US liquid gallon (3.785411784 L) and the British imperial gallon (4.54609 L) are different units with the same name; always confirm which one a source is using.
Uses of the Gallon today
- Fuel pump and vehicle fuel-economy measurement in the US
- Beverage and liquid product packaging in the US
- Cooking and recipe measurement in US customary units
History of the Gallon
The US gallon descends from the English wine gallon of 231 cubic inches, a standard used for measuring wine in medieval and early modern England, which the American colonies inherited and retained even after England moved to a different imperial gallon in 1824.
England's 1824 Weights and Measures Act replaced the old wine gallon with a new imperial gallon (based on 10 pounds of water), but the US kept the older 231-cubic-inch definition — which is why the US gallon (3.785 L) and the imperial gallon (4.546 L) differ by about 20% today.
Historical origin. Gallon was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Centiliter (cL)
Centiliter is 0.01 liter units.
Gallon — sources
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C — General tables of units of measurement, including the US gallon definition.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many centiliters are in 1 gallon?
1 gallon equals 378.5411784 centiliters, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert gallon to centiliter?
Multiply the gallon value by 378.5411784. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert centiliter back to gallon?
Use the reverse factor: 1 centiliter equals 0.0026417205 gallons. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a gallon?
Gallon (gal) measures volume. The US liquid gallon is defined as exactly 231 cubic inches, equal to 3.785411784 liters. It is classified as a US customary unit.
What is a centiliter?
Centiliter (cL) is a unit of volume.
Is the gallon to centiliter conversion exact?
Yes. The US liquid gallon is defined as exactly 231 cubic inches, equal to 3.785411784 liters. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
What is the difference between us gallon vs. imperial gallon?
The US liquid gallon (3.785411784 L) and the British imperial gallon (4.54609 L) are different units with the same name; always confirm which one a source is using.
Where is the gallon still used today?
United States (fuel, beverage, and liquid measurement)