Liter to Cubic meter Converter
Convert liters to cubic meters with our free online volume converter.
Quick Answer
1 Liter = 0.001 cubic meters
Formula: Liter × conversion factor = Cubic meter
Use the calculator below for instant, accurate conversions.
Our Accuracy Guarantee
All conversion formulas on UnitsConverter.io have been verified against NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) guidelines and international SI standards. Our calculations are accurate to 10 decimal places for standard conversions and use arbitrary precision arithmetic for astronomical units.
Liter to Cubic meter Calculator
How to Use the Liter to Cubic meter Calculator:
- Enter the value you want to convert in the 'From' field (Liter).
- The converted value in Cubic meter will appear automatically in the 'To' field.
- Use the dropdown menus to select different units within the Volume category.
- Click the swap button (⇌) to reverse the conversion direction.
How to Convert Liter to Cubic meter: Step-by-Step Guide
Converting Liter to Cubic meter involves multiplying the value by a specific conversion factor, as shown in the formula below.
Formula:
1 Liter = 0.001 cubic metersExample Calculation:
Convert 10 liters: 10 × 0.001 = 0.01 cubic meters
Disclaimer: For Reference Only
These conversion results are provided for informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the precision of these results, especially for conversions involving extremely large or small numbers which may be subject to the inherent limitations of standard computer floating-point arithmetic.
Not for professional use. Results should be verified before use in any critical application. View our Terms of Service for more information.
Need to convert to other volume units?
View all Volume conversions →What is a Liter and a Cubic meter?
The liter (US spelling) or litre (International spelling) (symbol: L or l) is a metric unit of volume commonly used for measuring liquids and some bulk solids.
Official Definition: One liter is defined as exactly one cubic decimeter (1 dm³), which equals:
- 1,000 cubic centimeters (cm³)
- 0.001 cubic meters (m³)
- 1,000 milliliters (mL)
Key relationships:
- 1 liter = 1,000 milliliters (mL)
- 1 liter = 100 centiliters (cL)
- 1 liter = 10 deciliters (dL)
- 1,000 liters = 1 cubic meter (m³)
- 1 liter = 1 cubic decimeter (dm³)
In terms of US customary units:
- 1 liter ≈ 0.264172 US gallons - Convert L to gallons
- 1 liter ≈ 33.814 US fluid ounces - Convert L to fl oz
- 1 liter ≈ 4.227 US cups - Convert L to cups
- 1 liter ≈ 2.113 US pints - Convert L to pints
- 1 liter ≈ 1.057 US quarts - Convert L to quarts
Visual perspective (how much is it?):
- 1 liter ≈ Large water bottle
- 1 liter ≈ Four standard drinking glasses (250mL each)
- 1 liter ≈ About 1/4 US gallon
- 2 liters ≈ Standard soda bottle
- 5 liters ≈ Large cooking pot
- 10 liters ≈ Standard bucket
Important note: The liter is not a base SI unit (the cubic meter is), but it is accepted for use with SI units and is the most common volume measurement globally for liquids.
Convert between volume units: liter converter
The SI Coherent Derived Unit
The cubic meter is defined as the volume of a cube with edges of exactly 1 meter.
Mathematical expression:
1 m³ = 1 m × 1 m × 1 m
Physical dimensions:
- Length: 100 cm = 1,000 mm = 3.28084 feet
- Width: 100 cm = 1,000 mm = 3.28084 feet
- Height: 100 cm = 1,000 mm = 3.28084 feet
Volume: 1,000,000 cm³ = 1,000 L
Relationship to the Liter
The liter (L), while not an official SI base unit, is universally accepted for use with SI:
1 m³ = 1,000 liters (exactly)
1 liter = 1 cubic decimeter (dm³) = 0.001 m³
This relationship is exact by definition: 1 L = 1 dm³ = (0.1 m)³ = 0.001 m³
Water Mass Relationship
One of the metric system's most elegant features:
At 4°C (maximum water density):
- 1 m³ of water = 1,000 kg = 1 metric ton (tonne)
- 1 L of water = 1 kg
- 1 mL of water = 1 gram
This relationship was intentional in the metric system's original design, though modern definitions are based on physical constants rather than water properties.
Metric Prefixes Applied to Volume
Cubic meter subdivisions and multiples:
Smaller volumes:
- 1 cubic decimeter (dm³) = 0.001 m³ = 1 L
- 1 cubic centimeter (cm³) = 0.000001 m³ = 1 mL
- 1 cubic millimeter (mm³) = 0.000000001 m³ = 1 µL
Larger volumes:
- 1 cubic kilometer (km³) = 1,000,000,000 m³ = 10⁹ m³
Note: Unlike linear measurements, volume scales with the cube of the length multiplier. For example, 1 km = 1,000 m, so 1 km³ = (1,000 m)³ = 1,000,000,000 m³ (billion cubic meters).
Note: The Liter is part of the metric (SI) system, primarily used globally in science and trade. The Cubic meter belongs to the metric (SI) system.
History of the Liter and Cubic meter
-
French Revolution Origins (1795): The liter was introduced in France as part of the new metric system during the revolutionary period. It was defined as the volume of one cubic decimeter (a cube 10 cm on each side), making it directly related to the meter.
-
Original Name: Initially called the "cadil," the name was quickly changed to "litron" and then simplified to "litre" (liter in US English). The name derives from an old French measurement unit.
-
Water-Based Definition (1795-1901): For a time, the liter was defined as the volume occupied by one kilogram of pure water at maximum density (approximately 4°C) and standard atmospheric pressure. This created a slight discrepancy with the cubic decimeter definition.
-
Redefinition to Cubic Decimeter (1901): The 3rd CGPM redefined the liter to be exactly equal to one cubic decimeter (1 dm³), eliminating the water-based definition and any slight variations.
-
Symbol Confusion (pre-1979): For many years, the lowercase "l" was the standard symbol for liter. However, this caused confusion with the number "1" in many fonts, especially in printed materials and handwriting.
-
Uppercase "L" Adoption (1979): At the 16th General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), the uppercase "L" was officially approved as an alternative symbol to reduce confusion. Today, both "L" and "l" are acceptable, though "L" is strongly preferred in North America and becoming more common worldwide.
-
SI Status: The liter is not technically an SI base unit or derived unit. The official SI unit for volume is the cubic meter (m³). However, the liter is specifically accepted for use with the SI system due to its widespread use and convenience for everyday measurements.
-
Global Adoption: The liter became the standard unit for liquids in metric countries throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Today it's used for:
- Beverage containers worldwide
- Fuel sales in most countries
- Cooking measurements in metric recipes
- Engine displacement (car engines)
- Medical fluid measurements
- Laboratory work
-
United States Usage: While the US primarily uses gallons for fuel and many beverages, liter bottles (1L, 2L, etc.) are standard for soft drinks, and liters are increasingly used in scientific, medical, and automotive contexts.
-
Cultural Note: The spelling "litre" is used in most English-speaking countries (UK, Canada, Australia), while "liter" is the American spelling. Both refer to the same unit.
The French Revolution and the Birth of the Meter (1789-1795)
Pre-revolutionary chaos: Before 1789, France had over 250,000 different local units of measurement, creating economic havoc. Volume measures like the pinte (pint), setier (bushel), and muid varied from town to town, making trade and taxation nearly impossible to standardize.
Revolutionary solution: The National Assembly commissioned the French Academy of Sciences (1791) to create a universal measurement system based on:
- Natural phenomena (not royal decrees)
- Decimal division (base-10, like currency)
- International applicability
The meter's original definition: One ten-millionth (1/10,000,000) of the distance from the North Pole to the equator, measured along the meridian passing through Paris.
The Méchain-Delambre Survey (1792-1798)
The mission: Astronomers Pierre Méchain and Jean-Baptiste Delambre were tasked with measuring the meridian arc from Dunkirk (northern France) to Barcelona (Spain) to establish the meter's precise length.
Seven-year expedition:
- Conducted during the French Revolution and Reign of Terror
- Used triangulation with specialized instruments
- Faced political upheaval, war, and personal hardship
- Measured 115 triangulation stations across France and Spain
Result: Determined the meter as 39.37008 inches (very close to modern value). The cubic meter logically followed as this length cubed.
Legal Adoption of the Metric System (1795-1799)
Law of 18 Germinal, Year III (April 7, 1795): France legally adopted the metric system, including the cubic meter for volume measurements.
Initial resistance: Traditional merchants and citizens resisted the new system. Napoleon temporarily restored old units in 1812 before reimposing the metric system permanently in 1840.
Prototype meter bar: The platinum Mètre des Archives (1799) became the physical standard, defining the meter (and thus cubic meter) for the next century.
International Spread (1800s-1900s)
European adoption:
- Netherlands (1816): First country after France to adopt the metric system
- Belgium (1820)
- Spain, Italy, Portugal (1850s-1860s)
- Germany (1872, unified after becoming a nation)
Latin America: Most countries adopted the metric system in the 19th century, facilitated by independence from Spain and Portugal.
Scientific community: The British Association for the Advancement of Science recommended metric adoption (1863), though official UK adoption took another century.
Meter Convention and BIPM (1875)
Treaty of the Meter (Convention du Mètre): Signed by 17 nations in Paris (1875), establishing:
- Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM): International standards organization
- International prototypes: Platinum-iridium meter bar (1889) and kilogram
- Regular conferences (CGPM): To update definitions
Impact on cubic meter: Standardizing the meter internationally made the cubic meter a truly global volume unit.
Modern Redefinition: Speed of Light (1983)
Problem with physical artifacts: The platinum-iridium meter bar could degrade, limiting precision.
New definition (17th CGPM, 1983): The meter is defined as "the length of the path traveled by light in vacuum during a time interval of 1/299,792,458 of a second."
Impact:
- The meter is now defined by physical constants (speed of light, atomic time)
- Invariant and reproducible anywhere in the universe
- The cubic meter inherits this precision: (299,792,458 m/s)³
Practical result: The cubic meter is no longer dependent on any physical object—it's a fundamental constant of nature.
SI System Formalization (1960)
11th CGPM (1960): Established the Système International d'Unités (SI), modernizing and standardizing the metric system.
Cubic meter's role: Designated as the coherent derived unit for volume in SI, meaning it's formed from base units (meter) without conversion factors.
Common Uses and Applications: liters vs cubic meters
Explore the typical applications for both Liter (metric) and Cubic meter (metric) to understand their common contexts.
Common Uses for liters
The liter is the standard volume measurement for liquids and some solids globally:
Beverage Industry
Universal standard for bottling, labeling, and selling drinks worldwide. Essential for consistent product sizing and international trade.
Beverage applications:
- Bottled water (0.5 L, 1 L, 1.5 L standard sizes)
- Soft drinks (2 L bottles most common)
- Milk and dairy products (1 L, 2 L cartons)
- Juices and nectars (1 L tetrapacks)
- Beer and alcoholic beverages (0.33 L, 0.5 L, 0.75 L)
- Sports drinks (0.5 L, 1 L bottles)
Why liters in beverages:
- International standard for labeling
- Easy conversion between sizes (500 mL = 0.5 L)
- Consumer-friendly measurements
- Manufacturing efficiency
Convert for beverage measurements: liters to fl oz
Cooking and Recipes
Standard measurement in metric recipes and professional cooking for both liquids and volume-based ingredients.
Cooking uses:
- Recipe measurements (water, stock, milk)
- Mixing bowl and pot capacities
- Kitchen appliance sizes (blenders, food processors)
- Baking (less common, but sometimes used)
- Restaurant portion control
- Commercial food preparation
Common recipe amounts:
- 250 mL (0.25 L) = 1 cup
- 500 mL (0.5 L) = 2 cups
- 1 L = 4 cups
- Stock/broth often sold in 1 L cartons
Fuel and Automotive
Standard for fuel sales and engine displacement in most countries worldwide.
Automotive applications:
- Fuel sales: Priced per liter (except US, which uses gallons)
- Engine displacement: 2.0 L engine, 3.5 L V6, etc.
- Fuel efficiency: L/100km or km/L
- Fuel tank capacity: Measured in liters
- Motor oil: Sold in 1 L, 4 L, 5 L containers
- Coolant and fluids: Measured in liters
Example fuel efficiency:
- Small car: 6 L/100km
- SUV: 12 L/100km
- Truck: 15 L/100km
Why liters in automotive:
- Global standard for fuel (except US)
- Easy calculations for trip planning
- Engine displacement universally understood
- International vehicle specifications
Medical and Healthcare
Critical for IV fluids, medication preparation, and fluid balance monitoring in hospitals and clinics.
Medical uses:
- IV fluid bags (0.25 L, 0.5 L, 1 L)
- Blood volume measurements
- Urine output tracking
- Dialysis fluid volumes
- Medication dilution
- Oxygen delivery systems
- Laboratory solutions
Fluid balance:
- Intake: Track all fluids consumed (L per day)
- Output: Monitor urine, drainage (L per day)
- Critical for ICU patients and kidney disease
Laboratory and Science
Standard for solution preparation, chemical storage, and volume measurements in research and industrial labs.
Laboratory applications:
- Solution preparation (1 L volumetric flasks)
- Chemical storage (reagent bottles)
- Buffer solutions (often made in 1 L batches)
- Culture media (bacterial/cell cultures)
- Analytical chemistry measurements
- Solvent storage
Why liters in labs:
- Directly related to molarity (moles per liter)
- Standard glassware sizes (250 mL, 500 mL, 1 L, 2 L)
- Easy calculations for dilutions
- International scientific standard
Agriculture and Irrigation
Essential for irrigation planning, fertilizer mixing, and crop water management.
Agricultural uses:
- Irrigation system output (L per hour/minute)
- Plant watering requirements (L per plant)
- Pesticide and fertilizer dilution (per 100 L of water)
- Greenhouse watering systems
- Livestock water consumption
- Aquaculture (fish tank volumes)
Example water needs:
- Tomato plant: 2-4 L per day (peak season)
- Young tree: 15-20 L per watering
- Mature tree: 40-100 L per watering
Industrial and Manufacturing
Used for measuring bulk liquids, chemicals, and production capacities in factories and plants.
Industrial applications:
- Chemical processing (batch sizes in liters)
- Paint and coatings (sold in L)
- Lubricants and oils (drums of 200 L)
- Water treatment (flow rates in L/min)
- Beverage production (thousands of L per batch)
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
Everyday Life (Metric Countries)
Daily measurements for drinks, cooking, fuel, and household products in 95% of the world.
Personal use:
- Drinking water intake (2-3 L per day recommended)
- Grocery shopping (milk, juice, cleaning products)
- Cooking and baking
- Fuel purchases (filling car tank)
- Garden watering
- Aquariums and pet care
Use our liter converter for everyday conversions.
When to Use cubic meters
1. Construction and Building Materials
Concrete volume: Construction projects specify concrete in cubic meters. A typical residential driveway requires 5-10 m³ of concrete.
Example specifications:
- Foundation slab: 20 m³
- Building foundation: 150 m³
- High-rise floor: 800 m³
- Dam construction: 500,000 m³
Other materials:
- Gravel, sand, soil: Landscaping and earthworks measured in m³
- Lumber: Though often measured in board feet, large orders calculated by volume
2. HVAC and Room Ventilation
Air volume calculations: HVAC engineers calculate room volumes in m³ to size heating, cooling, and ventilation systems.
Air changes per hour (ACH): Formula: ACH = (airflow rate in m³/h) / (room volume in m³)
Example:
- Office room: 200 m³
- Required ACH: 6 (per building code)
- Required airflow: 200 m³ × 6 = 1,200 m³/h
3. Water and Gas Utilities
Water consumption: Utilities meter water usage in cubic meters. Typical household consumption: 10-20 m³/month.
Billing:
- Residential water: $2-5 per m³ (varies by region)
- Commercial rates: $3-8 per m³
Natural gas: Though often billed in therms or kWh, gas consumption is fundamentally measured in m³. Standard conditions: 1 m³ of natural gas ≈ 10.4 kWh.
4. Shipping and Logistics
Cargo capacity: Shipping containers, trucks, and cargo ships specify capacity in m³.
Standard containers (TEU - Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit):
- 20-foot container: 33 m³ internal volume
- 40-foot container: 68 m³ internal volume
- 40-foot high cube: 76 m³
Freight charges: Shipping costs often calculated by volumetric weight, using m³ to determine chargeable weight.
5. Environmental and Water Management
Reservoir capacity: Dams and reservoirs measured in millions of cubic meters.
Flow rates:
- River discharge: m³/s (cubic meters per second)
- Amazon River: ~209,000 m³/s average discharge
- Mississippi River: ~16,800 m³/s
Wastewater treatment: Treatment plant capacity specified in m³/day.
6. Scientific and Engineering Calculations
Fluid dynamics: Engineering calculations use m³ for volume, m³/s for flow rate (coherent with SI).
Gas laws: Ideal gas law: PV = nRT, where V is typically in m³ for industrial applications.
Density calculations: Density (kg/m³) is the standard SI unit, making cubic meters natural for mass-volume relationships.
Additional Unit Information
About Liter (L)
How much is 1 liter visually?
One liter is about the volume of a large water bottle or slightly more than a quart.
Visual comparisons:
- Large water bottle: Standard 1 L bottle
- Two standard soda cans: 2 × 355 mL ≈ 0.71 L (close)
- Four standard glasses: 4 × 250 mL = 1 L
- Milk carton: Often 1 L size
- Slightly larger than a quart: 1 L = 1.057 quarts
Physical dimensions:
- A cube 10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm = exactly 1 L
- This is the definition: 1 cubic decimeter
To remember: Picture a standard water or soda bottle - that's about 1 liter.
How many milliliters are in a liter?
There are exactly 1,000 milliliters (mL) in one liter.
Why 1,000?: The prefix "milli-" means 1/1,000.
Conversion:
- 1 liter (L) = 1,000 milliliters (mL)
- To convert L to mL: multiply by 1,000
- To convert mL to L: divide by 1,000
Examples:
- 0.5 L = 500 mL
- 1.5 L = 1,500 mL
- 2 L = 2,000 mL
- 0.25 L = 250 mL (one cup)
- 0.355 L = 355 mL (soda can)
Remember: Move the decimal point three places:
- L → mL: Move right (1.5 L = 1,500 mL)
- mL → L: Move left (500 mL = 0.5 L)
Use our liter to mL converter for instant conversions.
How many liters are in a gallon?
US gallon: 1 US gallon = 3.78541 liters (about 3.8 L) UK gallon: 1 UK gallon = 4.54609 liters (about 4.5 L)
US gallon conversion:
- 1 US gallon ≈ 3.785 liters
- 2 gallons ≈ 7.57 liters
- 5 gallons ≈ 18.93 liters
- 10 gallons ≈ 37.85 liters
Reverse (liters to US gallons):
- 1 liter ≈ 0.264 US gallons
- 4 liters ≈ 1.06 US gallons
- 10 liters ≈ 2.64 US gallons
Why two different gallons?
- US (liquid) gallon: 3.785 L
- Imperial (UK) gallon: 4.546 L
- Always specify which gallon!
Quick mental math:
- 4 liters ≈ 1 US gallon (slightly more)
- 4.5 liters ≈ 1 UK gallon
Convert: liters to gallons | gallons to liters
Is a liter exactly 1 kilogram of water?
Almost, but not exactly. For pure water at 4°C, 1 liter weighs very close to 1 kilogram, but they're different types of measurements.
The relationship:
- 1 liter of water ≈ 1 kilogram (at 4°C, maximum density)
- This is approximate, not exact definition
- Temperature affects water density slightly
Why the confusion?
- The original kilogram definition (1795) was based on 1 liter of water
- This connection was later broken when definitions were refined
- Now they're independently defined
Important distinction:
- Liter: Measures volume (space occupied)
- Kilogram: Measures mass (amount of matter)
- For water: 1 L ≈ 1 kg (convenient coincidence)
- For other liquids: Different (oil, milk, alcohol have different densities)
Examples:
- 1 L water ≈ 1 kg
- 1 L milk ≈ 1.03 kg
- 1 L olive oil ≈ 0.92 kg
- 1 L gasoline ≈ 0.74 kg
How do you convert liters to cups?
To convert liters to US cups, multiply by approximately 4.227.
Conversion formula: cups = liters × 4.22675
Examples:
- 1 liter = 4.23 cups
- 0.5 liters = 2.11 cups
- 2 liters = 8.45 cups
- 0.25 liters = 1.06 cups (about 1 cup)
Reverse conversion (cups to liters):
- 1 US cup = 0.236588 liters (about 237 mL)
- 2 cups = 0.473 liters
- 4 cups = 0.947 liters (about 1 L)
Metric recipe approximation:
- Many metric recipes use 250 mL as "1 cup"
- This makes 1 L = exactly 4 "cups"
- Simpler, but slightly different from US cup (236.588 mL)
Why 4.227?
- 1 US cup = 236.588 mL (official)
- 1,000 mL ÷ 236.588 mL/cup = 4.227 cups
Use our liter to cups converter for precise conversions.
What is the difference between L and l for liter?
No difference in measurement - both symbols represent the same unit, one liter.
Symbol variations:
- L (uppercase): Officially approved in 1979, preferred
- l (lowercase): Original symbol, still valid
- Both are correct and mean exactly the same thing
Why the uppercase "L"?
- Lowercase "l" looks like number "1" in many fonts
- Created confusion in medical prescriptions and recipes
- 1979: CGPM approved uppercase "L" to reduce errors
- Especially important for handwriting
Current practice:
- North America: Almost exclusively uses "L"
- Europe: Mixed usage, both "L" and "l" common
- Scientific papers: Increasingly using "L"
- Medical field: Strongly prefers "L" for safety
Other symbols (not standard):
- "ℓ" (script L): Sometimes used but not official
- "lt" or "ltr": Abbreviations, not official symbols
Remember: Whether you see "L" or "l," it's the same measurement - one liter.
How many liters should I drink per day?
General recommendation: 2-3 liters (8-12 cups) of total fluids per day for adults.
Specific recommendations:
- Women: ~2.7 liters (11 cups) total fluids per day
- Men: ~3.7 liters (15 cups) total fluids per day
- Includes: Water, beverages, food moisture
Water intake specifically:
- Women: ~2-2.2 liters of plain water
- Men: ~2.5-3 liters of plain water
- "8×8 rule": 8 glasses of 8 oz = ~1.9 liters (minimum)
Factors that increase needs:
- Exercise and sweating
- Hot weather
- Illness (fever, vomiting, diarrhea)
- Pregnancy (2.3 L) or breastfeeding (3.1 L)
- High altitude
- High-fiber diet
Factors that decrease needs:
- High water-content foods (fruits, vegetables)
- Other beverages (tea, coffee, juice)
- Cold weather
- Sedentary lifestyle
Signs of adequate hydration:
- Pale yellow urine
- Urinating every 2-4 hours
- Not feeling thirsty
Remember: Individual needs vary - listen to your body and drink when thirsty.
How do you convert liters to fluid ounces?
To convert liters to US fluid ounces, multiply by approximately 33.814.
Conversion formula: fl oz = liters × 33.814
Examples:
- 1 liter = 33.8 fl oz
- 0.5 liters = 16.9 fl oz (small water bottle)
- 2 liters = 67.6 fl oz (large soda bottle)
- 0.355 liters = 12 fl oz (soda can)
Reverse conversion (fl oz to liters):
- 1 US fl oz = 0.0296 liters (29.57 mL)
- 8 fl oz (1 cup) = 0.237 liters
- 16 fl oz (1 pint) = 0.473 liters
- 32 fl oz (1 quart) = 0.946 liters
UK vs US fluid ounce:
- US fluid ounce: 29.57 mL
- UK (imperial) fluid ounce: 28.41 mL
- Slightly different!
Why 33.814?
- 1 liter = 1,000 mL
- 1 US fl oz = 29.5735 mL
- 1,000 ÷ 29.5735 = 33.814 fl oz
Use our liter to fluid ounce converter for accurate conversions.
What is 2 liters in ounces?
2 liters = 67.628 US fluid ounces (commonly rounded to 67.6 fl oz or 68 fl oz).
Calculation: 2 L × 33.814 fl oz/L = 67.628 fl oz
Common context:
- 2 L soda bottle: Standard large bottle size
- Just over 2 quarts: 2 L = 2.11 quarts
- Just over half gallon: 2 L = 0.528 US gallons
- About 8.5 cups: 2 L = 8.45 cups
Related conversions:
- 1 L = 33.8 fl oz
- 1.5 L = 50.7 fl oz
- 2 L = 67.6 fl oz
- 2.5 L = 84.5 fl oz
- 3 L = 101.4 fl oz
Visual reference:
- Standard soda bottle = 2 L = 67.6 fl oz
- Two 1 L bottles = 2 L
- Eight 8 oz glasses + a little more = 2 L
Convert any volume: liters to fl oz converter
Is the liter an SI unit?
Technically no, but yes for practical purposes.
Official status:
- Not a base SI unit: The official SI unit for volume is the cubic meter (m³)
- Accepted for use with SI: The liter is specifically approved for use alongside SI units
- Widely used: The liter is far more common than cubic meters for everyday measurements
Why it's accepted:
- Defined in SI terms: 1 L = 1 dm³ = 0.001 m³
- Decimal-based like all SI units
- Convenient size for everyday use
- Avoids awkward decimals (0.001 m³ vs 1 L)
Historical note:
- Originally defined as metric unit in 1795
- Kept when SI was established in 1960
- Given special status due to widespread use
In practice:
- Scientists use liters routinely (especially chemistry)
- Cubic meters used for large volumes (rooms, tanks)
- Cubic centimeters (= mL) used for small volumes
- Liter fills the practical middle ground
Remember: While not technically an SI base unit, the liter is fully compatible with and accepted for use with the SI system.
How many liters in a cubic meter?
There are exactly 1,000 liters in one cubic meter.
Conversion:
- 1 cubic meter (m³) = 1,000 liters (L)
- 1 liter = 0.001 cubic meters (or 1/1,000 m³)
Why 1,000?
- 1 liter = 1 cubic decimeter (dm³)
- 1 meter = 10 decimeters
- 1 m³ = 10 × 10 × 10 dm³ = 1,000 dm³ = 1,000 L
Examples:
- 0.5 m³ = 500 liters
- 2 m³ = 2,000 liters
- 0.001 m³ = 1 liter
- 50 m³ = 50,000 liters (small swimming pool)
Practical uses:
- Swimming pool: 50 m³ = 50,000 L
- Water tank: 2 m³ = 2,000 L
- Aquarium: 0.5 m³ = 500 L
- Room volume: Calculate in m³, not liters
When to use which:
- Liters: Liquids, containers, bottles (< 1,000 L)
- Cubic meters: Large volumes, rooms, pools, tanks (> 1,000 L)
Convert: liters to m³ | m³ to liters
About Cubic meter (m³)
How large is a cubic meter?
A cubic meter is the volume of a cube with edges of 1 meter (100 cm or 3.28 feet) on all sides.
Visualizations:
- Slightly larger than a typical refrigerator or washing machine
- About 264 US gallons or 1,000 liters
- A swimming pool area of 10 m² with 10 cm depth = 1 m³
Physical comparison: Stand with arms outstretched. A cube from floor to chest height, and arm-span width/depth, is roughly 1 m³.
Is cubic meter the same as meter cubed?
Yes, they're identical.
- Cubic meter (common parlance)
- Meter cubed (mathematical expression)
- m³ (symbol)
All refer to the same unit: the volume of a 1 m × 1 m × 1 m cube.
How many liters are in a cubic meter?
Exactly 1,000 liters (L) = 1 cubic meter (m³)
This relationship is exact by definition:
- 1 L = 1 dm³ (cubic decimeter)
- 1 dm = 0.1 m
- 1 dm³ = (0.1 m)³ = 0.001 m³
- Therefore: 1 m³ = 1,000 L
Why use cubic meters instead of liters?
Cubic meters are preferred for:
- Very large volumes: Using liters would create unwieldy numbers (e.g., 50,000 L vs. 50 m³)
- Engineering calculations: m³ is coherent with SI (works seamlessly with kg, Pa, J, W)
- Construction: Concrete, gravel, excavation measured in m³
- International standards: Official SI unit for volume
Liters are preferred for:
- Everyday quantities: Beverages, fuel, household products
- Small to medium containers: Easier to visualize (1 L milk carton)
How do I calculate room volume in cubic meters?
Formula: Volume = Length × Width × Height (all in meters)
Example:
- Room: 5 m long × 4 m wide × 2.5 m high
- Volume = 5 × 4 × 2.5 = 50 m³
If measurements are in other units:
- Convert to meters first
- Then multiply
Example (feet to meters):
- Room: 15 ft × 12 ft × 9 ft
- Convert: 15 ft ÷ 3.28 = 4.57 m; 12 ft ÷ 3.28 = 3.66 m; 9 ft ÷ 3.28 = 2.74 m
- Volume = 4.57 × 3.66 × 2.74 = 45.8 m³
How much does a cubic meter of water weigh?
At 4°C (maximum density): exactly 1,000 kg (1 metric ton)
This was intentionally designed into the metric system.
At other temperatures:
- 0°C (freezing): 999.84 kg/m³
- 20°C (room temp): 998.2 kg/m³
- 25°C: 997.0 kg/m³
- 100°C (boiling): 958.4 kg/m³
Ice (0°C): ~917 kg/m³ (less dense than liquid water—why ice floats!)
What is the difference between m³ and m³/h?
m³ is a unit of volume (static quantity)
- "The tank holds 10 m³"
m³/h is a unit of volumetric flow rate (volume per time)
- "The pump delivers 5 m³/h" (5 cubic meters per hour)
Other common flow rates:
- m³/s: Cubic meters per second (river discharge, large industrial flows)
- m³/min: Cubic meters per minute
- L/min: Liters per minute (smaller flows, pumps)
How many cubic meters in an Olympic swimming pool?
Minimum Olympic pool dimensions:
- Length: 50 m
- Width: 25 m
- Minimum depth: 2 m
Volume: 50 × 25 × 2 = 2,500 m³ (2.5 million liters)
This is often used as a reference for large volumes: "This reservoir holds the equivalent of 1,000 Olympic pools" = 2,500,000 m³.
Can I use cubic meters for gases?
Yes, cubic meters are standard for gas volumes.
Gas utility billing:
- Natural gas consumption: measured in m³
- 1 m³ of natural gas ≈ 10.4 kWh energy content
Standard conditions: Gas volumes are often specified at STP (Standard Temperature and Pressure):
- 0°C, 101.325 kPa
Or NTP (Normal Temperature and Pressure):
- 20°C, 101.325 kPa
Ideal gas law: PV = nRT uses m³ for V in SI calculations.
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic meters?
Formula: m³ = ft³ × 0.0283168
Examples:
- 10 ft³ = 10 × 0.0283168 = 0.283 m³
- 100 ft³ = 2.832 m³
- 1,000 ft³ = 28.32 m³
Reverse (m³ to ft³): ft³ = m³ × 35.3147
Quick approximation:
- 1 m³ ≈ 35 ft³
- 30 ft³ ≈ 1 m³
Conversion Table: Liter to Cubic meter
| Liter (L) | Cubic meter (m³) |
|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.001 |
| 1 | 0.001 |
| 1.5 | 0.002 |
| 2 | 0.002 |
| 5 | 0.005 |
| 10 | 0.01 |
| 25 | 0.025 |
| 50 | 0.05 |
| 100 | 0.1 |
| 250 | 0.25 |
| 500 | 0.5 |
| 1,000 | 1 |
People Also Ask
How do I convert Liter to Cubic meter?
To convert Liter to Cubic meter, enter the value in Liter in the calculator above. The conversion will happen automatically. Use our free online converter for instant and accurate results. You can also visit our volume converter page to convert between other units in this category.
Learn more →What is the conversion factor from Liter to Cubic meter?
The conversion factor depends on the specific relationship between Liter and Cubic meter. You can find the exact conversion formula and factor on this page. Our calculator handles all calculations automatically. See the conversion table above for common values.
Can I convert Cubic meter back to Liter?
Yes! You can easily convert Cubic meter back to Liter by using the swap button (⇌) in the calculator above, or by visiting our Cubic meter to Liter converter page. You can also explore other volume conversions on our category page.
Learn more →What are common uses for Liter and Cubic meter?
Liter and Cubic meter are both standard units used in volume measurements. They are commonly used in various applications including engineering, construction, cooking, and scientific research. Browse our volume converter for more conversion options.
For more volume conversion questions, visit our FAQ page or explore our conversion guides.
Helpful Conversion Guides
Learn more about unit conversion with our comprehensive guides:
📚 How to Convert Units
Step-by-step guide to unit conversion with practical examples.
🔢 Conversion Formulas
Essential formulas for volume and other conversions.
⚖️ Metric vs Imperial
Understand the differences between measurement systems.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Learn about frequent errors and how to avoid them.
All Volume Conversions
Other Volume Units and Conversions
Explore other volume units and their conversion options:
Verified Against Authority Standards
All conversion formulas have been verified against international standards and authoritative sources to ensure maximum accuracy and reliability.
National Institute of Standards and Technology — Standards for volume measurements
Last verified: February 19, 2026