Volume Conversion Calculator
Online calculator for converting volume into different units of measurement
Volume Measurement Calculator
Volume Converter
Select the volume unit that you know and enter its value. The calculator supports metric, Imperial UK, US units, and Chinese/Japanese volume measures.
Volume Units - Overview
SI System
1 L = 1 dm³ = 1,000 ml = 1,000 cm³
Liter
1,000 ml
1 dm³
LGallon UK
4.546 L
≈ 1.201 US gal
galImportant Conversions
- 1 L = 1,000 ml = 1 dm³
- 1 m³ = 1,000 L
- 1 gallon UK = 4.546 L
- 1 gallon US = 3.785 L
- 1 barrel (petroleum) = 159 L
Metric System
The liter (L) and cubic meter (m³) are the main SI units:
- 1 ml (milliliter) = 10⁻³ L = 1 cm³
- 1 cl (centiliter) = 10⁻² L
- 1 dl (deciliter) = 10⁻¹ L
- 1 L (liter) = 1 dm³
- 1 m³ (cubic meter) = 1,000 L
- Used worldwide as standard
Imperial System (UK)
The imperial system used in the UK:
- 1 fl oz (fluid ounce) = 28.41 ml
- 1 gill = 5 fl oz = 142.07 ml
- 1 pint = 20 fl oz = 568.26 ml
- 1 quart = 2 pints = 1.137 L
- 1 gallon = 4 quarts = 4.546 L
- 1 barrel = 36 gallons = 163.66 L
US System
US fluid and US dry measures:
- US Fluid:
- 1 fl oz = 29.57 ml
- 1 pint = 16 fl oz = 473.18 ml
- 1 gallon = 8 pints = 3.785 L
- 1 barrel (petroleum) = 42 gal = 159 L
- US Dry: For grains, produce
- 1 pint dry = 550.61 ml
- 1 gallon dry = 4.405 L
Chinese System
Traditional Chinese volume measures:
- 1 Sheng (升) ≈ 1 L
- 1 Dou (斗) = 10 Sheng ≈ 10 L
- 1 Dan (石) = 10 Dou ≈ 100 L
- Used for grains and liquids
Japanese System
Traditional Japanese volume measures:
- 1 Shō (升) ≈ 1.8 L
- 1 To (斗) = 10 Shō ≈ 18 L
- 1 Koku (石) = 10 To ≈ 180 L
- Used for sake and rice
Volume vs. Capacity
Volume is the space occupied (m³, cm³). Capacity is the amount a container can hold (L, ml). For water: 1 L = 1 dm³ = 1,000 cm³. Note: UK and US gallons are different!
Volume Units - Detailed Description
Metric System
The metric system uses liter (L) and cubic meter (m³) as volume units. The liter is defined as 1 cubic decimeter (1 dm³). This system is used worldwide and is part of the International System of Units (SI).
• 1 L = 1,000 ml = 100 cl = 10 dl
• 1 L = 1 dm³ = 1,000 cm³
• 1 m³ = 1,000 L
• 1 cm³ = 1 ml
Imperial System (UK)
The imperial system is used in the United Kingdom. The imperial gallon is larger than the US gallon. The system includes units like fluid ounce, gill, pint, quart, gallon, and barrel.
• 1 fl oz (UK) = 28.41 ml
• 1 pint (UK) = 20 fl oz = 568.26 ml
• 1 gallon (UK) = 8 pints = 4.546 L
• 1 barrel (UK) = 36 gallons = 163.66 L
US Liquid System
The US liquid system is used in the United States for fluids. US measurements are different from imperial measurements. The US gallon is about 83% of an imperial gallon.
• 1 fl oz (US) = 29.57 ml
• 1 pint (US) = 16 fl oz = 473.18 ml
• 1 gallon (US) = 8 pints = 3.785 L
• 1 barrel (US) = 31.5 gallons = 119.24 L
• 1 barrel (petroleum) = 42 gal = 159 L
US Dry System
The US dry system is used for measuring dry goods like grains, fruits, and vegetables. These measures are slightly larger than US liquid measures.
• 1 pint (US dry) = 550.61 ml
• 1 quart (US dry) = 2 pints = 1.101 L
• 1 gallon (US dry) = 4 quarts = 4.405 L
• 1 barrel (US dry) = 105 quarts = 115.63 L
Chinese System
Traditional Chinese volume measures are still used in China for grains, liquids, and cooking. The system is based on the Sheng (升).
• 1 Cuo (撮) ≈ 2 ml
• 1 Shao (勺) = 10 Cuo ≈ 20 ml
• 1 Ge (合) = 10 Shao ≈ 200 ml
• 1 Sheng (升) = 10 Ge ≈ 1 L
• 1 Dou (斗) = 10 Sheng ≈ 10 L
• 1 Dan (石) = 10 Dou ≈ 100 L
Japanese System
Traditional Japanese volume measures are used for sake, rice, and cooking. The system is based on the Shō (升), which is about 1.8 liters.
• 1 Shaku (勺) ≈ 18 ml
• 1 Gō (合) = 10 Shaku ≈ 180 ml
• 1 Shō (升) = 10 Gō ≈ 1.8 L
• 1 To (斗) = 10 Shō ≈ 18 L
• 1 Koku (石) = 10 To ≈ 180 L
Comparison Table
| Unit | Symbol | Equivalent in Liters | System |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liter | L | 1 | Metric |
| Cubic meter | m³ | 1,000 | Metric |
| Gallon UK | gal | 4.546 | Imperial |
| Gallon US | gal | 3.785 | US Fluid |
| Gallon US dry | gal | 4.405 | US Dry |
| Barrel (petroleum) | bbl | 159 | US Fluid |
| Sheng (升) | - | ~1 | Chinese |
| Shō (升) | - | ~1.8 | Japanese |
Practical Applications
Everyday Use:
- Beverages: ml, L (metric)
- Fuel: L (metric), gallons (US/UK)
- Cooking: ml, L, cups (US)
- Medicine: ml, drops
Industrial Use:
- Oil industry: barrels (petroleum)
- Shipping: m³, cubic feet
- Agriculture: bushels, gallons dry
- Brewing: barrels, hectoliters
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