Milliliter (mL) - Unit Information & Conversion

Definition

The milliliter (symbol mL or ml) is a metric unit of volume equal to one-thousandth of a liter (1/1000 L). It is also equivalent to exactly one cubic centimeter (1 cm³). The milliliter is widely used in scientific measurements, medicine, and cooking.

History

The milliliter derives directly from the liter, established in France in 1795. As the metric system gained international acceptance, prefixes like 'milli-' (meaning one-thousandth) were applied to base units to create smaller or larger units. The equivalence 1 mL = 1 cm³ is a fundamental relationship in the metric system.

Common Uses

• Medicine: Measuring liquid medicines and dosages.
• Laboratory: Laboratory work involving small liquid volumes (pipettes, burettes).
• Culinary: Cooking and baking recipes, especially for liquids.
• Packaging: Volume measurements on small containers (e.g., cosmetics, travel-size toiletries).
• Science: Scientific notation for small volumes.

Unit FAQs

Is a milliliter the same as a cubic centimeter (cc)?

Yes, 1 milliliter (mL) is exactly equal to 1 cubic centimeter (cm³ or cc). The terms are often used interchangeably, especially in medical and automotive contexts (e.g., engine displacement often uses cc).

How many milliliters are in a liter?

There are 1,000 milliliters (mL) in 1 liter (L).

Is mL or ml the correct symbol?

Both are technically correct and commonly understood. Similar to the liter (L/l), the capitalized version 'mL' is often preferred in publishing and medicine to avoid confusion between 'l' and the number '1'.