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What is volume and capacity?

We use millilitres and litres to measure volume and capacity.

Capacity is the amount of liquid a container can hold.

Volume is how much liquid is in the container.

We can write 'l' for litre and 'ml' for millilitre.

Millilitres

Now let's look at some containers with different scales. Can you spot what volume of liquid is in each container below?

To measure small volumes, you can use a measuring cylinder and measure liquid in millilitres.

We write millilitres as ml.

There are 1000 millilitres in a litre.

Can you think of what liquids are measured in millilitres and litres?

Example 1

What volume of orange juice is in the carton?

Can you read the number on the measuring jug?

The measuring jug can hold 1000ml and the scale goes up by 100ml each time.

✓ There is 800ml of orange juice in the jug.

Here are some more examples, see if you can read the measuring jugs.

Activity 1

Be your own measurement detective and work with a parent or guardian to find objects around your home which hold up to 1 litre, for example a bottle of water or a can of orange juice.

• Can you find a container that holds exactly 500ml?
• Can you find a container that holds exactly 1l?
• Which container holds the most?
• Which container holds the least?

Activity 2

Try out your measuring skills with this quiz.