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Teacher Guide: Converting Metric Volume Units

Convert between liters, deciliters, centiliters and milliliters, and link them to cubic centimeters and cubic meters.

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Worksheet Answer key

Class quiz

10 questions on Volume & Capacity. Students join with a name, you see everyone's score.

For Teachers

Learning Objectives
  • Name the metric capacity units kL, hL, L, dL, cL and mL and order them by size
  • Convert between metric capacity units by multiplying or dividing by 10, 100 or 1000
  • Use the links 1 mL = 1 cm³, 1 L = 1 dm³ and 1 m³ = 1000 L
  • Compare and order amounts given in different units
  • Solve multi-step word problems that involve volume conversions
Prerequisites
  • • Metric Volume Units (mL, L): knowing that 1 L = 1000 mL
  • • Volume of Rectangular Prisms: finding a volume in cubic centimeters
  • • Multiplying and dividing decimals by 10, 100 and 1000
Discussion Starters
  • 1. A can says 33 cL and a bottle says 0.5 L. How could you decide quickly which holds more?
  • 2. Why do you think water companies charge per cubic meter instead of per liter?
  • 3. A cube with 10 cm edges holds exactly 1 liter. How could you check this at home?
  • 4. Why is it useful that every step on the metric ladder is a factor of 10?
Common Misconceptions

Every metric volume conversion uses 1000

Remediation: Draw the ladder and count steps together: L to dL is 1 step (10), L to cL is 2 steps (100), L to mL is 3 steps (1000).

1 m³ is the same as 1 L, or 100 L

Remediation: Show a 10 cm cube (1 L) and explain that a 1 m cube has 10 of these along each edge: 10 × 10 × 10 = 1000 liters.

The amount with the bigger number is always more

Remediation: Compare 58 cL and 0.6 L with real containers or a measuring jug, then convert both to mL to show why 0.6 L is more.

Differentiation Ideas

For Struggling Students:

  • • Start with whole numbers and one-step conversions (L to dL, dL to cL)
  • • Give each student a printed ladder to place a finger on and count steps
  • • Use a place value chart to move the decimal point

For On-Level Students:

  • • Convert decimal amounts across two or three steps
  • • Order sets of four amounts given in different units
  • • Change an aquarium's size in cm into liters

For Advanced Students:

  • • Solve problems with m³, kL and hL, such as filling pools or tanks
  • • Find how long a pump needs to empty a tank given in m³
  • • Explain why 1 m³ = 1000 L using 1 m = 10 dm
Standards Alignment
  • 5.MD.A.1 (CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.MD.A.1)

    Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a given measurement system and use these conversions in solving multi-step, real world problems

  • 5.NBT.A.2 (CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NBT.A.2)

    Explain patterns in the placement of the decimal point when a decimal is multiplied or divided by a power of 10

  • 4.MD.A.2 (CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.A.2)

    Use the four operations to solve word problems involving liquid volumes

Lesson Resources
  • visualCapacity Ladder Poster

    A wall chart with kL down to mL and the factor 10 on every step

  • activityMeasuring Jug Station

    Students pour water given in dL and cL into a jug marked in mL and check their conversions

  • worksheetShop Shelf Comparison

    Compare drinks labeled in L, cL and mL and find which one holds the most

Lesson Content

Everything students see: definition, examples, common mistakes, applications. Tap to open.

Definition

In the lesson on metric volume units you learned that 11 L =1000= 1000 mL. Between the liter and the milliliter there are two more units, and above the liter there are bigger ones. Together they form the metric capacity ladder:
kL→×10hL→×10daL→×10L→×10dL→×10cL→×10mL\text{kL} \xrightarrow{\times 10} \text{hL} \xrightarrow{\times 10} \text{daL} \xrightarrow{\times 10} \text{L} \xrightarrow{\times 10} \text{dL} \xrightarrow{\times 10} \text{cL} \xrightarrow{\times 10} \text{mL}
Each step on the ladder is a factor of 1010 (the decaliter, daL, is rarely used, but it keeps the steps even):
  • 11 L =10= 10 dL =100= 100 cL =1000= 1000 mL
  • 11 hL =100= 100 L and 11 kL =1000= 1000 L
How to convert:
  • From a bigger unit to a smaller unit: multiply (the number gets bigger)
  • From a smaller unit to a bigger unit: divide (the number gets smaller)
  • Count the steps: 11 step =10= 10, 22 steps =100= 100, 33 steps =1000= 1000
Capacity and cubic units are linked:
1 mL=1 cm31 L=1 dm3=1000 cm31 m3=1000 L1 \text{ mL} = 1 \text{ cm}^3 \qquad 1 \text{ L} = 1 \text{ dm}^3 = 1000 \text{ cm}^3 \qquad 1 \text{ m}^3 = 1000 \text{ L}

Worked Examples

A bottle of juice holds 3.53.5 L. How many centiliters is that?
1

Find the direction

L is bigger than cL, so we go down the ladder → Multiply
2

Count the steps

L →\to dL →\to cL is 22 steps → Factor 100100
3

Calculate

3.5×100=3503.5 \times 100 = 350 → 350350 cL

Common Mistakes

Using 10001000 for every conversion, for example writing 22 L =2000= 2000 cL

Why it's wrong: Only L to mL is 33 steps. L to cL is just 22 steps on the ladder.

Correct: Count the steps: L →\to dL →\to cL is 22 steps, so multiply by 100100: 22 L =200= 200 cL.

Multiplying when going to a bigger unit, for example 4040 cL =400= 400 L

Why it's wrong: A liter is much bigger than a centiliter, so you need fewer liters than centiliters.

Correct: Smaller to bigger unit: divide. 40÷100=0.440 \div 100 = 0.4, so 4040 cL =0.4= 0.4 L.

Comparing the numbers without converting: thinking 5858 cL is more than 0.60.6 L because 58>0.658 > 0.6

Why it's wrong: The numbers are in different units, so they cannot be compared directly.

Correct: Convert first: 5858 cL =580= 580 mL and 0.60.6 L =600= 600 mL, so 0.60.6 L is more.

Forgetting the placeholder zero: writing 8585 mL =0.85= 0.85 L

Why it's wrong: Dividing by 10001000 moves the decimal point 33 places, and 8585 has only 22 digits.

Correct: Fill the empty place with a zero: 85÷1000=0.08585 \div 1000 = 0.085, so 8585 mL =0.085= 0.085 L.

Why It Matters

Metric volume units appear in many forms, and you often need to switch between them:
  • Shopping: A can holds 3333 cL, a bottle holds 1.51.5 L. Which is more? Only a conversion tells you.
  • Cooking: Many European recipes use deciliters (22 dL of milk) while a measuring jug shows milliliters.
  • Aquariums and pools: You measure a tank in centimeters or meters, but the water is sold and pumped in liters.
  • Water bills: Water companies charge per cubic meter, and 11 m³ is 10001000 L.
  • Science: Lab cylinders show mL, and 11 mL is exactly 11 cm³.
Once you know the ladder, every metric volume conversion is just multiplying or dividing by 1010, 100100 or 10001000.

Real World Applications

Cooking with Mixed Units

European recipes often mix deciliters, centiliters and milliliters, so cooks convert everything to one unit before measuring.

Example:

A pancake recipe needs 2.52.5 dL of milk. On a jug marked in mL, that is 250250 mL.

1Try It Yourself

A sauce needs 33 dL of milk, 1515 cL of cream and 250250 mL of water.

How many milliliters of liquid is that in total?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

Convert to mL, then add: 3×100+15×10+2503 \times 100 + 15 \times 10 + 250

Filling an Aquarium

Pet shops measure tanks in centimeters, but water treatment and fish numbers depend on liters. Because $1000$ cm³ $= 1$ L, the conversion is quick.

Example:

A small tank of 3030 cm ×\times 2020 cm ×\times 2525 cm holds 15 00015\,000 cm³, which is 1515 L.

2Try It Yourself

An aquarium is 6060 cm long, 4040 cm wide and 5050 cm high.

How many liters of water does it hold when full?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

Volume in cm³, then divide by 10001000: 60×40×50÷100060 \times 40 \times 50 \div 1000

Water Delivery

Water trucks are filled in kiloliters, while tanks at homes and farms are often sold by their size in cubic meters.

Example:

A truck with 1010 kL of water carries 10 00010\,000 L, which is also 1010 m³.

3Try It Yourself

A water truck carries 99 kL. It fills garden tanks that each hold 1.51.5 m³.

How many tanks can the truck fill completely?

Step 1: Write the mathematical expression

Convert both to liters, then divide: 9×1000÷(1.5×1000)9 \times 1000 \div (1.5 \times 1000)

Key Takeaways

  • 1The capacity ladder is kL, hL, daL, L, dL, cL, mL, and each step is a factor of 1010
  • 211 L =10= 10 dL =100= 100 cL =1000= 1000 mL; 11 hL =100= 100 L; 11 kL =1000= 1000 L
  • 3Bigger unit to smaller unit: multiply. Smaller unit to bigger unit: divide
  • 411 mL =1= 1 cm³, 11 L =1= 1 dm³ =1000= 1000 cm³ and 11 m³ =1000= 1000 L
  • 5To compare amounts, convert them all to the same unit first
  • 6When dividing, fill empty places with zeros: 8585 mL =0.085= 0.085 L

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know whether to multiply or divide?

Ask yourself which unit is bigger. Going to a smaller unit means you need more of them, so multiply. Going to a bigger unit means you need fewer of them, so divide.

Is 11 mL really the same as 11 cm³?

Yes. A cube that is 11 cm on each side holds exactly 11 mL. That is why a 1010 cm cube (10001000 cm³) holds exactly 11 L.

Why do I almost never see decaliters?

The decaliter (1010 L) is a correct metric unit but rarely used in daily life. It is still useful on the ladder, because it keeps every step equal to 1010.

Where do I see centiliters and deciliters?

On drink cans and bottles in many countries (3333 cL, 5050 cL) and in recipes (22 dL of cream). Measuring jugs usually show mL, so you convert.

Glossary

Deciliter (dL)
One tenth of a liter: 11 dL =100= 100 mL
Centiliter (cL)
One hundredth of a liter: 11 cL =10= 10 mL
Hectoliter (hL)
One hundred liters: 11 hL =100= 100 L
Kiloliter (kL)
One thousand liters: 11 kL =1000= 1000 L =1= 1 m³
Cubic centimeter (cm³)
The volume of a cube with 11 cm edges, equal to 11 mL
Conversion factor
The number you multiply or divide by to change units, here 1010, 100100 or 10001000

Formula Card

Liter ladder

1 L=10 dL=100 cL=1000 mL1 \text{ L} = 10 \text{ dL} = 100 \text{ cL} = 1000 \text{ mL}

Each step down the ladder multiplies by 10

Large units

1 hL=100 L,1 kL=1000 L1 \text{ hL} = 100 \text{ L}, \quad 1 \text{ kL} = 1000 \text{ L}

Used for tanks, barrels and water deliveries

Capacity and cubic units

1 mL=1 cm3,1 L=1 dm3=1000 cm31 \text{ mL} = 1 \text{ cm}^3, \quad 1 \text{ L} = 1 \text{ dm}^3 = 1000 \text{ cm}^3

Links the volume of a solid to how much liquid it holds

Cubic meter

1 m3=1000 L1 \text{ m}^3 = 1000 \text{ L}

Used for pools, tanks and water bills

More in This Topic

Introduction to Volume

Elementary20 min

Metric Volume Units (mL, L)

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Volume of Rectangular Prisms

Intermediate25 min

Imperial Volume Units (cups, pints, gallons)

Elementary20 min