Volume: units and measurement guide

What is being measured?

Volume describes a three-dimensional extent or a quantity of liquid under a specified volume convention. US and imperial liquid measures can have different definitions.

Cups, pints, quarts, tablespoons and teaspoons use US customary liquid measures. Imperial gallons are separate. These are volume conversions; ingredient mass also depends on density.

Choose a unit definition

Symbols, prefixes and conventions matter. Each row links to a definition, a worked example and a comparison table. Units of different quantities are kept separate even when symbols or dimensions look similar.

Choose the conversion direction

Start with the unit attached to the original measurement. Select the unit needed by the receiving report, specification or formula. Conversion tools preserve the measured quantity; calculating another property can require additional measured inputs and assumptions.

Precision and common mistakes

• Keep the source and target quantity consistent. A matching symbol is not enough to establish a compatible definition.
• Record the original measurement precision. Showing twelve significant digits in a table does not make a rounded input more precise.
• Check symbol capitalization, prefixes and any regional convention in the source. Use the displayed unit definition rather than a similarly named unit.
• Factors involving repeating fractions or π use finite numerical precision. Round the final answer to the precision justified by your input.

Use a working converter

• Volume converter
• Millilitres to Litres converter
• Millilitres to Cubic metres converter
• Millilitres to cubic centimeters converter
• Millilitres to cubic inches converter
• Millilitres to Cubic feet converter

Source and verification scope

Examples and tables are computed from the versioned unit definitions used by the linked converters. The source access dates appear below. Computandum is independent of the cited organizations; a citation does not mean that a publisher endorses this page or an actual project.

Read the calculation and sourcing methodology →