Volume and Capacity

Measuring Volume and Capacity – Introduction

Have you ever wondered what capacity and volume mean? Capacity and volume are both words that we use when talking about measuring liquids, but they have different meanings.

Capacity is the maximum amount that a container can hold. Volume is the amount of space the liquid takes up.

We could have a beaker that had a capacity of 1,000ml, but when we poured in our liquid, there might only be 300ml. This means that although the capacity (maximum amount that can be held) is 1,000ml, the volume of the liquid is 300ml. We would know this by looking at the scale on the side of the container.

Here are some liquids in containers that have different capacities! The can has the smallest capacity as it can only hold 330ml, the bottle has the medium capacity as it can hold 1,000l, and the bucket has the largest capacity as it can hold 5,000ml or 5l!

When we measure the volume of a liquid, we can use containers that have different capacities. As long as there is a scale on the side of the container with the measurements to read, we can find the volume of the liquid.

We usually use litres and millilitres when talking about the volume of liquids, although other units are also sometimes used, such as pints. It is important when measuring liquids that we have a container that has a scale, so that we can read how much liquid is in that container.

An example of when we need to measure the volume of different liquids would be when making a smoothie. We might need to measure 100ml of apple juice, 200ml of mango juice, 30ml of banana puree and 60ml of yoghurt. Different apparatus are used to measure volume such as measuring jugs, beakers and cups. What is used to measure volume will often depend on the amount of liquid being measured, for example, a larger amount of liquid will need a beaker with a larger capacity. It’s not just smoothies we need to measure volume for, sometimes we just want to know how to measure water volume!

Volume and Capacity – Definitions

Measuring Volume and Capacity – Examples

To measure the volume, start by selecting a container to pour your liquid into. There are a range of capacity measuring instruments and we select depending on the amount or volume of liquid we are going to measure.This could be a larger container if you want to measure volume in litres, or a smaller one if you are measuring in milliliters. Next, pour the liquid into the container, such as a cylinder. The cylinder must be marked up the side in a scale in either milliletres (ml) or litres (l). The container, such as the cylinder, when full, will be its total measure of capacity. Now that the liquid is in the container, you can look on the scale and read what number to liquid is up to. This is how to measure the volume of a liquid in a cylinder.

Here is a table with the key information for how to measure the volume of a liquid.

If you want to know the capacity of a container, you are trying to find out what the total amount of liquid is that the container can hold.

An example of this would be if you wanted to find the capacity of a cup.You could fill the cup with water, then pour this into a cylinder or measuring jug and read the scale to find out how much liquid it held.

Measuring Volume and Capacity – Standard Units

In the UK, the standard units we use for the measure of volume and measuring capacity are litres and millilitres. Although we sometimes use other units such as pints and gallons, these are used less often.

To see how different measures of volume compare, see this table.

Measuring Volume and Capacity – Summary

Capacity and volume, often used interchangeably when discussing liquid measurement, carry distinct meanings. Capacity refers to the maximum amount a container can hold, while volume denotes the space occupied by the liquid. For instance, a beaker with a 1,000ml capacity may only contain 300ml, showcasing the difference between capacity and volume. Various containers, like a can (330ml capacity), a bottle (1,000ml capacity), and a bucket (5,000ml or 5l capacity), illustrate different capacities. When measuring volume, we can use containers with varying capacities, then use the scale to determine the exact volume.Measuring volume involves selecting an appropriate container, pouring the liquid, and reading the scale. In the UK, standard units for volume include litres and millilitres, though pints and gallons are occasionally used. To determine the capacity of a container, fill it with water, transfer to a measuring jug, and read the scale for the total amount it can hold. Whether making smoothies or measuring water volume, using the right apparatus, such as measuring jugs or beakers, is crucial.If you want to practise measuring capacity for KS1, measuring capacity for year 1, or measuring capacity for year 2 check out the interactive exercises and downloadable worksheets for measuring volume and capacity.

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