Unit of volume · BEGINNER LESSON
Millilitre
A millilitre (mL) is a unit of volume, meaning it measures how much three-dimensional space something occupies or holds. In the SI system, 1 mL is the same as 1 cubic centimetre (cm^3).
What it is
A millilitre is a unit used to measure volume, also called capacity when talking about containers. Volume is the amount of three-dimensional space occupied by matter or enclosed by a surface. The millilitre belongs to the International System of Units (SI), and NIST states that 1 millilitre equals 1 cubic centimetre (cm^3).
[2] www.nist.gov › pml › owmSI Units - Volume | NIST [3] [PDF] 2026 Appendix E. General Tables of Units of Measurement
How it relates to other units
Millilitres fit into the metric system by powers of ten. Ten millilitres make 1 centilitre (cL), 10 centilitres make 1 decilitre (dL), and 1,000 millilitres make 1 litre (L). NIST also lists 1 millilitre as 0.001 litre, since 1 litre equals 1,000 millilitres.
[1] 2026_NIST_HB133_AppendixE-20251222.docx [2] www.nist.gov › pml › owmSI Units - Volume | NIST
What it corresponds to physically
NIST gives a simple cube model: 1 cubic millimetre equals 1 cubic centimetre? No; the table shows 1,000 cubic millimetres equal 1 cubic centimetre, and 1 cubic centimetre equals 1 millilitre. So a cube 1 cm on each side has a volume of 1 mL. This lets the same unit describe solids, liquids, and gases in the SI system.
[2] www.nist.gov › pml › owmSI Units - Volume | NIST [3] [PDF] 2026 Appendix E. General Tables of Units of Measurement
Limits and cautions
The millilitre is a unit of volume, not mass and not temperature. It tells you how much space something takes up, but not what it weighs. The symbol mL is used in the sources, and the uppercase L is preferred for litre to avoid confusion with the number 1.
SEE THE IDEA
How millilitres connect to other volume units
Same as 1 cm^3 in SI usage.
Equals 1 cL, a larger metric volume unit.
Equals 1 L, the litre.
A 1 cm by 1 cm by 1 cm cube has volume 1 mL.
These units scale by factors of 10, with millilitres linking directly to cubic centimetres and litres.
Millilitres are a small metric unit of volume, connected to cubic centimetres and litres by powers of ten.
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Sources and further reading
This general lesson was generated from public source material. It explains a concept; it does not interpret a private paper or provide medical advice.