A US liquid gallon is exactly 3.785411784 liters.
Gallons to Cubic inches Converter — gal to in3
Convert Gallon (gal) to Cubic inch (in3) using the exact conversion factor (1 gallon = 231 cubic inch). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Gallons to Cubic inches 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.
A cubic inch is the volume of a one-inch cube.
Result = input x 0.003785411784 / 1.6387064e-5.
Volume uses the cubic meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Gallons to Cubic inches
Gallon and Cubic inch 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
cubic inches = gallons × 231
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 gallon equals 0.003785411784 base units, and 1 cubic inch equals 0.000016387064 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct gallon-to-cubic inch factor of 231.
Simple example
1 gal × 231 = 231 in3
1 gallon = 231 cubic inches.
Real-world example
10 gal × 231 = 2,310 in3
10 gallons = 2,310 cubic inches.
Conversion table
| Gallon (gal) | Cubic inch (in3) |
|---|---|
| 1 gal | 231 in3 |
| 5 gal | 1,155 in3 |
| 10 gal | 2,310 in3 |
| 25 gal | 5,775 in3 |
| 50 gal | 11,550 in3 |
| 100 gal | 23,100 in3 |
Reverse conversion: Cubic inch to Gallon
231 in3 × 0.004329004329 = 1 gal
231 cubic inches = 1 gallons.
gallons = cubic inches × 0.004329004329
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Cubic inch 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 Cubic inch (in3)
A cubic inch is the volume of a one-inch cube.
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 cubic inches are in 1 gallon?
1 gallon equals 231 cubic inches, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert gallon to cubic inch?
Multiply the gallon value by 231. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert cubic inch back to gallon?
Use the reverse factor: 1 cubic inch equals 0.0043290043 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 cubic inch?
Cubic inch (in3) is a unit of volume.
Is the gallon to cubic inch 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)