Jugs and Mugs - Liters and Milliliters

Capacity is the amount of liquid a container, such as a jug or a mug, can hold. Imagine a large bucket and a small spoon; the bucket has a much larger capacity because it can hold more water.

Milliliter ($ml$) is a smaller unit used to measure tiny amounts of liquid. For example, a small medicine dropper or a teaspoon holds liquid measured in $ml$. Visually, $1 ml$ is about the size of a few drops of water.

Liter ($L$) is the standard unit used for measuring larger quantities of liquid. A standard water bottle or a carton of milk usually holds $1 L$. Think of a $1 L$ bottle as being much taller and wider than a small $100 ml$ juice box.

The relationship between units is constant: $1$ Liter is made up of $1000$ Milliliters. You can imagine filling a $1 L$ jug by pouring ten small $100 ml$ cups into it.

Measuring jugs often have markings on the side that look like a vertical scale or a ladder. These markings show the volume levels, such as $100 ml$, $250 ml$, $500 ml$, and $1000 ml$. When the liquid surface touches a line, that is the current volume.

We can estimate capacity based on the size of the container. A bathtub holds many Liters ($L$), a glass of water holds about $250 ml$, and an eye-drop bottle holds only a few $ml$.

To compare capacities, ensure both are in the same unit. A container holding $1 L$ holds more than a container holding $900 ml$ because $1 L = 1000 ml$.