Convert Cubic Decimeter (dm³) to Gallon (US) (gal (US)) instantly.
About these units
Cubic Decimeter (dm³)
A cubic decimeter is defined as 1 liter, since it is the volume of a cube 10 centimeters per side. Though equivalent to the liter, dm³ is often used in engineering and physics because it fits neatly into the SI geometric framework. This unit is convenient when working with densities (kg/dm³), where the equivalence of 1 dm³ and 1 L simplifies many calculations involving fluids and materials. While the liter dominates everyday usage, the cubic decimeter is favored in technical contexts where a strong geometric interpretation is needed—for example, in tank sizing, volumetric flow calculations, or experiments involving water displacement.
Gallon (US) (gal (US))
The US gallon is defined as exactly 231 cubic inches, or 3.785411784 liters. It is widely used in American commerce for gasoline, milk, water, and other household liquids. Its historical roots lie in old English wine and ale gallons, whose varying definitions ultimately led to divergent US and UK systems. Today, the US gallon remains deeply embedded in American culture, especially in automotive contexts—fuel economy ratings such as "miles per gallon" (MPG) illustrate its everyday relevance. Despite the global shift toward metric volume units, the US gallon persists due to familiarity and regulatory inertia. It remains an iconic unit, symbolizing uniquely American measurement traditions.