Volume & Capacity

≈ 25 min

Volume is the amount of space a solid object takes up, measured in cubic units (cm $^3$ , m $^3$ ). Imagine filling the object with $1 \times 1 \times 1$ cubes and counting them.

For a rectangular prism (a box shape) with length $l$ , breadth $b$ and height $h$ ,

V = l \times b \times h.

Capacity is how much liquid a container holds, measured in millilitres and litres. A handy link: $1$ cm $^3$ holds exactly $1$ mL, and $1$ litre $= 1000$ mL.

Worked example. A box $4$ cm by $3$ cm by $2$ cm has volume $4 \times 3 \times 2 = 24$ cm $^3$ .

A box measures $4$ cm by $3$ cm by $2$ cm. What is its volume, in cm $^3$ ?

How many millilitres are there in $2$ litres?

$20$

$200$

$2\,000$

$20\,000$

A rectangular water tank is $5$ m long, $2$ m wide and $3$ m deep. What is its volume, in m $^3$ ?

A carton holds $500$ mL of juice. How many full cartons are needed to fill a $3$ -litre jug?