Metric Capacity Conversion

Metric capacity conversion

Metric capacity units are related by powers of 10. To convert correctly, move between units using the metric ladder:

• 1 kiloliter (kL) = 1000 liters (L)
• 1 liter (L) = 1000 milliliters (mL)
• Smaller or larger prefixes follow the same base-10 pattern.

Method

1. Identify the starting unit and target unit. For example, liters to milliliters, or kiloliters to liters.
2. Count the steps on the metric ladder. Each step to a smaller unit means multiply by 10; each step to a larger unit means divide by 10.
3. Use a place-value move or decimal shift. Moving to a smaller unit shifts the decimal right. Moving to a larger unit shifts it left.
4. Write the simplified final answer with the correct unit.

Example idea

If you convert 3.5 L to mL, you move two steps to a smaller unit, so multiply by 1000: 3.5 × 1000 = 3500 mL.

Check your work

• Make sure the unit changed in the correct direction.
• If converting to a smaller unit, the number should get larger.
• If converting to a larger unit, the number should get smaller.
• A quick estimate helps confirm the result is reasonable.