Converting Units of Capacity (Grade 4)
Capacity measures how much liquid a container can hold. We use millilitres (mL) for small quantities and litres (L) for larger quantities.
In Class 4, you will learn to convert between litres and millilitres, and solve word problems involving capacity.
What is Converting Units of Capacity - Class 4 Maths (Measurement)?
Capacity is the maximum amount of liquid a container can hold.
- Millilitre (mL) — for small quantities (a spoon of medicine, a cup of milk).
- Litre (L) — for larger quantities (a bottle of water, a bucket of paint).
Converting Units of Capacity (Grade 4) Formula
1 litre (L) = 1,000 millilitres (mL)
L to mL → multiply by 1,000.
mL to L → divide by 1,000.
| Conversion | Operation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| L to mL | × 1,000 | 2 L = 2,000 mL |
| mL to L | ÷ 1,000 | 3,500 mL = 3 L 500 mL |
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: L to mL
Problem: Convert 4 L to mL.
Solution:
Step 1: 1 L = 1,000 mL
Step 2: 4 L = 4 × 1,000 = 4,000 mL
Answer: 4 L = 4,000 mL.
Example 2: Example 2: mL to L and mL
Problem: Convert 2,750 mL to L and mL.
Solution:
Step 1: 2,750 ÷ 1,000 = 2 remainder 750.
Step 2: 2,750 mL = 2 L 750 mL.
Answer: 2 L 750 mL.
Example 3: Example 3: Mixed L and mL to mL
Problem: Convert 3 L 200 mL to mL.
Solution:
Step 1: 3 L = 3,000 mL
Step 2: 3,000 + 200 = 3,200 mL
Answer: 3 L 200 mL = 3,200 mL.
Example 4: Example 4: Adding capacities
Problem: Ria mixes 1 L 500 mL of mango juice and 2 L 700 mL of water. What is the total?
Solution:
Step 1: Add mL: 500 + 700 = 1,200 mL = 1 L 200 mL.
Step 2: Add L: 1 + 2 + 1 = 4 L.
Step 3: Total = 4 L 200 mL.
Answer: Total = 4 L 200 mL.
Example 5: Example 5: Subtracting capacities
Problem: A bucket holds 10 L of water. Aman uses 3 L 600 mL. How much is left?
Solution:
Step 1: 10 L = 10,000 mL. 3 L 600 mL = 3,600 mL.
Step 2: 10,000 − 3,600 = 6,400 mL = 6 L 400 mL.
Answer: 6 L 400 mL of water is left.
Example 6: Example 6: How many glasses?
Problem: A jug holds 2 L of milk. Each glass holds 250 mL. How many glasses can be filled?
Solution:
Step 1: 2 L = 2,000 mL
Step 2: Number of glasses = 2,000 ÷ 250 = 8
Answer: 8 glasses can be filled.
Example 7: Example 7: Comparing capacities
Problem: Which is more: 5 L 100 mL or 5,050 mL?
Solution:
Step 1: Convert 5 L 100 mL = 5,100 mL.
Step 2: Compare: 5,100 > 5,050.
Answer: 5 L 100 mL is more.
Example 8: Example 8: Medicine dose
Problem: A bottle of cough syrup holds 100 mL. Priya takes 5 mL three times a day. How many days will the bottle last?
Solution:
Step 1: Daily dose = 5 × 3 = 15 mL
Step 2: Number of days = 100 ÷ 15 = 6 remainder 10.
Step 3: The bottle lasts 6 full days (with 10 mL left over — not enough for 3 doses).
Answer: The bottle lasts 6 full days.
Example 9: Example 9: Total petrol
Problem: Arjun's father buys 5 L 500 mL of petrol on Monday and 3 L 750 mL on Thursday. What is the total?
Solution:
Step 1: Convert: 5,500 mL + 3,750 mL = 9,250 mL
Step 2: 9,250 mL = 9 L 250 mL
Answer: Total petrol = 9 L 250 mL.
Key Points to Remember
- 1 L = 1,000 mL.
- To convert L to mL → multiply by 1,000.
- To convert mL to L → divide by 1,000.
- Half litre = 500 mL. Quarter litre = 250 mL.
- To add or subtract, convert to the same unit first.
- Use mL for medicines, cups, and spoons. Use L for bottles, buckets, and tanks.
Practice Problems
- Convert 7 L to mL.
- Convert 4,350 mL to L and mL.
- Add: 2 L 400 mL + 1 L 800 mL.
- Subtract: 8 L − 2 L 650 mL.
- A bottle holds 500 mL. How many bottles are needed to fill a 3 L container?
- Which is more: 6 L 200 mL or 6,300 mL?
- Meera drinks 4 glasses of water a day. Each glass holds 250 mL. How many litres does she drink per day?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many mL are in 1 litre?
1 litre = 1,000 millilitres.
Q2. How do you convert L to mL?
Multiply by 1,000. For example, 3 L = 3 × 1,000 = 3,000 mL.
Q3. How do you convert mL to L?
Divide by 1,000. For example, 2,500 mL = 2,500 ÷ 1,000 = 2 L 500 mL.
Q4. What holds about 1 mL?
About 20 drops of water make 1 mL. A teaspoon holds about 5 mL.
Q5. What holds about 1 litre?
A standard water bottle or a packet of milk holds about 1 litre.
Q6. What is half a litre in mL?
Half a litre = 500 mL. A small bottle of water or a cup of chai is roughly 500 mL.
Q7. How do you add capacities in different units?
Convert all to mL, add, then convert back to L and mL if needed. Example: 1 L 600 mL + 900 mL = 1,600 + 900 = 2,500 mL = 2 L 500 mL.
Q8. Is capacity the same as volume?
Capacity is the maximum amount a container can hold. Volume is the actual space an object or liquid occupies. They use the same units (mL, L) for liquids.
Related Topics
- Measuring Capacity in L and mL
- Converting Units of Weight (Grade 4)
- Perimeter (Grade 4)
- Introduction to Area
- Area of Rectangle (Grade 4)
- Area of Square (Grade 4)
- Area and Perimeter Word Problems (Grade 4)
- Converting Units of Length (Grade 4)
- Area by Counting Squares
- Perimeter of Irregular Shapes
- Relationship Between Area and Perimeter
