SI Units - Volume

Volume is the measure of the 3-dimensional space occupied by matter, or enclosed by a surface, measured in cubic units. The SI unit of volume is the cubic meter (m³), which is a derived unit.

• Liter (L) is a special name for the cubic decimeter (dm³). The symbol for the liter is uppercase letter “ell” (L) is preferred to avoid the risk of confusion between the lowercase letter “ell” (l) and the number one (1). The script letter l (l) is not an approved symbol for the liter.
• Milliliter (mL) is a special name for the cubic centimeter (cm³).

Visualize one cubic decimeter (dm³) or one liter (1 L) as a cube where each side is:

• 100 mm;
• 10 cm;
• 1 dm; or
• 0.1 m.

Visualize one liter (1 L) as:

• 1 m² area that 1 mm deep

Resources for Students and Teachers:

• Metric Rainfall Calculation Activity and Rainfall Rates (US Geological Survey). How much water falls during a rain storm? Choose an area and a rainfall amount (mL) to determine the volume of water (L) that fell from the sky and was delivered onto that area. You'll be surprised about much rain really does fall during a rainstorm. A variety of common rainfall rates (mm per hour) are described.
• SI Prefixes.  In the metric system of measurement, designations of multiples and subdivision of any unit may be arrived at by combining with the name of the unit the prefixes.
• Volume models illustrate one cubic decimeter (dm³), also known as a liter (L). When a template is printed on cardstock and assembled, the two sheets create a cube 10 centimeters on each side with a volume of 1000 cm³.
  • Liter Cube Template (Vendian).
  • How Big Are Things? Cube (Vendian).
  • Metric Volume Demonstration Apparatus (Smithsonian National Museum of American History).
  • Metric Grain Volume Demonstration Measures (Smithsonian National Museum of American History).
• Calculate Volume Become familiar with methods used to calculate the volume of common objects (NIST).
• SI Units Card Deck (SP 1297) - this activity offers a fun way to enhance understanding of the International System of Units, including the defining constants, base units, derived units with special names, and prefixes. (NIST).
• NISTIR 7383, Selected Procedures for Volumetric Calibrations, Good Measurement Practice (GMP 3), Method of Reading a Meniscus Using Water or Other Wetting Liquid (NIST).
• Rainfall Rates and Water Volume (NASA).
• Rainfall Amount, Intensity, and Distribution (FAO United Nations).
• Metric Rainfall Calculation Activity and Rainfall Rates (US Geological Survey). How much water falls during a rain storm? Choose an area and a rainfall amount (mL) to determine the volume of water (L) that fell from the sky and was delivered onto that area. You'll be surprised about much rain really does fall during a rainstorm. A variety of common rainfall rates (mm per hour) are described.
• Science Under Glass (Smithsonian National Museum of American History).
• Top 10 Tips for Teaching the Metric System (NIST).

Navigate to more SI information:

• SI Units 
• Fundamental Physical Constants
• Length – meter (m)
• Time – second (s)
• Amount of substance – mole (mole) 
• Electric current – ampere (A)
• Temperature – kelvin (K) 
• Luminous intensity – candela (cd)
• Mass – kilogram (kg)
• Prefixes
• U.S. Metrication
• U.S. Metrication FAQs
• Metric Kitchen
• National Metric Week
• NEST-R (STEM Registry)
• NIST Educational Resources