Common DIY quantities — click to fill:
1 gallon paint
5-gallon bucket
1 liter → gal
3 quarts (concrete mix water)
2 gallons (typical room)
1 quart
19 liters (Canadian paint)
4 liters (European liter can)
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Gallons vs. Liters — DIY Reference
// US Gallon to Liter
Liters = Gallons × 3.78541
// Liter to US Gallon
Gallons = Liters ÷ 3.78541
// Note: UK Imperial gallon ≠ US gallon (UK = 4.546 L)
Liters = Gallons × 3.78541
// Liter to US Gallon
Gallons = Liters ÷ 3.78541
// Note: UK Imperial gallon ≠ US gallon (UK = 4.546 L)
⚠️ US gallon ≠ UK Imperial gallon — A US gallon is 3.785 liters. A UK (Imperial) gallon is 4.546 liters — about 20% larger. Canadian paint is sold in liters. UK products often use Imperial gallons. This converter uses US gallons.
Paint Quantities — Gallons vs. Liters
| US Gallons | Liters | Coverage (350 sq ft/gal) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 quart (0.25 gal) | 0.946 L | ~88 sq ft | Small accent wall, trim touch-up |
| 1 gallon | 3.785 L | ~350 sq ft | One coat, standard bedroom |
| 2 gallons | 7.571 L | ~700 sq ft | Two coats, 12×12 room |
| 5 gallons | 18.93 L | ~1,750 sq ft | Large area / contractor pricing |
Concrete Mixing Water Reference
Concrete mixing water ratios are critical — too much water weakens the final product. A standard 80 lb bag of concrete needs 3 quarts (0.75 gallons / 2.84 liters) of water. Here's a quick reference:
| Bag Size | Water (quarts) | Water (liters) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 lb bag | ~1.5 qts | ~1.42 L | Add gradually — stop before it gets soupy |
| 60 lb bag | ~2.25 qts | ~2.13 L | Standard mid-size bag |
| 80 lb bag | ~3 qts | ~2.84 L | Most common; stiff mix is stronger |
Volume Units Quick Reference
| Unit | Gallons | Liters | Fluid oz |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 fl oz | 0.0078 gal | 0.0296 L | 1 |
| 1 cup | 0.0625 gal | 0.2366 L | 8 |
| 1 pint | 0.125 gal | 0.4732 L | 16 |
| 1 quart | 0.25 gal | 0.9464 L | 32 |
| 1 gallon (US) | 1 | 3.785 L | 128 |
| 5 gallons | 5 | 18.93 L | 640 |
| 1 cubic foot | 7.481 gal | 28.32 L | 957 |
| 1 cubic yard | 201.97 gal | 764.6 L | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many liters in a US gallon?
There are exactly 3.785411784 liters in one US liquid gallon. For practical DIY purposes, 1 gallon ≈ 3.785 liters or roughly 3.8 liters. Note that the UK Imperial gallon is larger — 4.54609 liters — so be careful when using non-US product specifications.
How many gallons is a 4-liter can of paint?
A 4-liter paint can (common in Europe and Canada) equals 1.057 US gallons — just over one gallon. When buying European or Canadian paint, check whether coverage is listed per liter or per 4-liter can to avoid buying too little or too much.
How much water does an 80 lb bag of concrete need?
An 80 lb bag needs approximately 3 quarts (0.75 gallons / 2.84 liters) of water. Add water gradually and stop when the mix is stiff and workable — like thick oatmeal. Overly wet concrete loses significant compressive strength. A soupy mix can reduce strength by 40% or more.
How many gallons does a 5-gallon bucket hold exactly?
A standard 5-gallon bucket holds exactly 5 US gallons (18.93 liters) when filled to the rim. In practice, most are filled to about 4.5 gallons to avoid spillage. Paint sold in "5-gallon" quantities actually contains exactly 5 gallons of paint.