Capacity Word Problems (Grade 2)
Capacity word problems ask questions about how much liquid a container can hold. In Class 2, you work with litres (L) and millilitres (mL).
These problems use addition and subtraction to find the total amount, the amount used, or how much is left.
What is Capacity Word Problems (Grade 2) - Class 2 Maths (Measurement)?
Capacity is the amount of liquid a container can hold. We measure capacity in:
- Millilitres (mL) — for small amounts like a spoon of medicine, a cup of tea
- Litres (L) — for larger amounts like a bottle of water, a bucket of milk
1 litre = 1000 millilitres
Solved Examples
Example 1: Total Capacity (Addition)
Question: A jug holds 2 L of water. Another jug holds 3 L. How much water is there in total?
Think:
- Total = 2 + 3 = 5
Answer: There are 5 litres of water in total.
Example 2: How Much is Left? (Subtraction)
Question: A bucket has 10 L of water. Aman uses 4 L to wash his bicycle. How much water is left?
Think:
- Remaining = 10 − 4 = 6
Answer: 6 litres of water are left.
Example 3: Comparing Capacities
Question: Ria's water bottle holds 500 mL. Kavi's water bottle holds 750 mL. Whose bottle holds more, and by how much?
Think:
- 750 > 500, so Kavi's bottle holds more
- Difference = 750 − 500 = 250
Answer: Kavi's bottle holds more by 250 mL.
Example 4: Filling Glasses
Question: A jug has 2 L of juice. Each glass holds 200 mL. How many glasses can be filled?
Think:
- 2 L = 2000 mL
- 2000 ÷ 200 = 10
Answer: 10 glasses can be filled.
Example 5: Word Problem — Cooking
Question: Priya's mother needs 500 mL of milk to make kheer. She already has 300 mL. How much more milk does she need?
Think:
- More needed = 500 − 300 = 200
Answer: She needs 200 mL more milk.
Example 6: Adding Two Amounts
Question: Meera pours 400 mL of mango juice and 350 mL of orange juice into a bowl. How much juice is in the bowl?
Think:
- Total = 400 + 350 = 750
Answer: There are 750 mL of juice in the bowl.
Example 7: Word Problem — Water Tank
Question: A small water tank holds 20 L. Dev fills it with 8 L of water in the morning and 7 L in the evening. How much more water can the tank hold?
Think:
- Water filled = 8 + 7 = 15 L
- Space left = 20 − 15 = 5 L
Answer: The tank can hold 5 L more water.
Key Points to Remember
- Capacity is measured in litres (L) and millilitres (mL).
- 1 L = 1000 mL.
- "Total", "altogether", or "combined" means add.
- "How much is left", "remaining", or "difference" means subtract.
- Make sure both amounts are in the same unit before solving.
Practice Problems
- A bottle holds 1 L of water. Aditi drinks 400 mL. How much water is left?
- A pot has 3 L of milk and another pot has 2 L. What is the total amount of milk?
- Rahul fills 6 glasses with 250 mL of juice each. How much juice did he use?
- A bucket holds 15 L. It has 9 L of water. How much more water can fit?
- Ria mixes 500 mL of water and 500 mL of lemon juice. How much liquid is there in total?
- A tanker has 50 L of water. 20 L is used for washing. How much remains?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is capacity?
Capacity is the maximum amount of liquid a container can hold. A glass has less capacity than a bucket.
Q2. What units do we use to measure capacity?
We use litres (L) for bigger amounts and millilitres (mL) for smaller amounts. 1 litre = 1000 millilitres.
Q3. What holds about 1 litre?
A standard water bottle or a small milk packet holds about 1 litre.
Q4. What holds about 250 mL?
A small glass or a cup of tea holds about 250 mL. That is one-fourth of a litre.
Q5. Can I add litres and millilitres directly?
No. Convert to the same unit first. Change litres to millilitres (multiply by 1000) or millilitres to litres (divide by 1000), then add or subtract.
Q6. How is capacity different from volume?
Capacity is the total space inside a container. Volume is the actual amount of liquid in it. A 2 L bottle (capacity) may have only 1 L of water (volume) in it.
