Primary 5 maths · Measurement & time · About 12 minutes
Convert between litres, millilitres and cm³
Track which volume each unit names before scaling its numerical count.
Start the interactive lesson →Open practice activity
What you will learn
- Convert between litres, millilitres and cm³
Models used: number sentences, stories, tables.
Before you start
Two names for the same space
A cube measuring 1 cm on every edge occupies one cubic centimetre.
Count cubes across a layer, then count the layers. Some cubes are hidden.
A cube measuring 1 cm on every edge occupies one cubic centimetre.
1 cm³
A litre contains one thousand millilitres. Use both unit relationships while preserving the occupied space.
Width 1, height 1, depth 1
Count cubes across a layer, then count the layers. Some cubes are hidden.
That space holds 1 millilitre of liquid. The two units describe the same volume.
1 cm³ = 1 ml
Width 1, height 1, depth 1
Count cubes across a layer, then count the layers. Some cubes are hidden.
A litre is 1000 millilitres. So one litre occupies 1000 cubic centimetres.
1 litre = 1000 ml = 1000 cm³
Width 10, height 10, depth 10
What did the picture help us see?
A litre is 1000 millilitres. So one litre occupies 1000 cubic centimetres.
Worked example: A new example, together
Convert 4.1 litres to cubic centimetres.
| Litres | Millilitres | Cubic centimetres |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1000 | 1000 |
Equivalent liquid volumes. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Track which volume each unit names before scaling its numerical count.
Each millilitre occupies one cubic centimetre.
Equivalent liquid volumes Litres Millilitres Cubic centimetres 1 1000 1000 Equivalent liquid volumes. Read each value with the heading above its column.
1 litre = 1000 millilitres.
Equivalent liquid volumes Litres Millilitres Cubic centimetres 1 1000 1000 Convert 4.1 litres to cubic centimetres.
4100 cm³
Equivalent liquid volumes. Read each value with the heading above its column.
1 litre = 1000 millilitres.
Equivalent liquid volumes Litres Millilitres Cubic centimetres 1 1000 1000 Equivalent liquid volumes. Read each value with the heading above its column.
1 millilitre = 1 cubic centimetre.
Equivalent liquid volumes Litres Millilitres Cubic centimetres 1 1000 1000 Equivalent liquid volumes. Read each value with the heading above its column.
4.1 × 1000 = 4100 cm³.
Equivalent liquid volumes Litres Millilitres Cubic centimetres 1 1000 1000 Equivalent liquid volumes. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Check the result against the question we started with.
4100 ÷ 1000 = 4.1 litres.
We found 4100 cm³. Each millilitre occupies one cubic centimetre.
Equivalent liquid volumes Litres Millilitres Cubic centimetres 1 1000 1000
Common mistakes to discuss
- A hundred millilitres in a litre. A litre holds 1000 ml, and 1 ml fills 1 cm³. So 2.6 litres is 2600 cm³.
Check your understanding
- Convert between litres, millilitres and cm³
- connect liquid-volume units with cubic centimetres
- check the answer against the original quantities and units
Explain your reasoning to an adult, then try a fresh question in the interactive lesson. A result from one attempt is not proof of lasting mastery.
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