Volume and Capacity — Grade 2 Mathematics

Volume and capacity help us measure liquids and understand how much a container can hold. From filling a water bottle to measuring ingredients for a recipe, these skills are among the most practical in everyday mathematics. In Grade 2, we learn to read measuring jugs accurately and convert between millilitres and litres.

Volume vs Capacity

Capacity — the maximum amount a container can hold.
Volume — the actual amount of liquid currently in a container.

A 1-litre bottle has a capacity of 1 L. If it is half full, the volume of liquid is 500 ml.

Key units:
Millilitres (ml) — for small amounts (a teaspoon = 5 ml).
Litres (L) — for larger amounts (a large water bottle = 1.5 L).
1 L = 1000 ml

💡 Tip: To convert L to ml, multiply by 1000. To convert ml to L, divide by 1000.

Reading a Measuring Jug

1000 ml

750 ml

500 ml

250 ml

Shows ~600 ml

Always read the water level at eye level, looking at the bottom of the meniscus (the curved surface).

Worked Examples

Example 1 — Converting Units

Convert 2.5 litres to millilitres.

2.5 × 1000 = 2,500 ml

Example 2 — Reading a Measuring Jug

A jug has markings at 250 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, and 1000 ml. The water reaches halfway between 500 ml and 750 ml. How much water is in the jug?

Gap between 500 and 750 = 250 ml
Halfway = 500 + 125 = 625 ml

Volume = 625 ml

Example 3 — Real World: Cooking 🍳

A recipe needs 750 ml of milk. You have a 1-litre carton. How much milk is left after making the recipe?

Convert 1 L = 1000 ml
Leftover = 1000 − 750 = 250 ml

250 ml of milk remains (= ¼ litre)

Practice Questions

Try these! Work out the answers first, then check.

1. Convert 3 litres to millilitres.

✅ 3 × 1000 = 3,000 ml

2. Convert 1500 ml to litres.

✅ 1500 ÷ 1000 = 1.5 L

3. A jug holds 800 ml. A bottle holds 1.2 L. How much more does the bottle hold?

✅ 1.2 L = 1200 ml. 1200 − 800 = 400 ml more

4. You drink 350 ml of water from a 500 ml bottle. How much is left?

✅ 500 − 350 = 150 ml

5. Which is more: 2.4 L or 2050 ml?

✅ 2.4 L = 2400 ml. Since 2400 > 2050, 2.4 L is more.

Key Points to Remember

Capacity = maximum a container holds. Volume = amount currently inside.
1 litre (L) = 1000 millilitres (ml).
L to ml: multiply by 1000. ml to L: divide by 1000.
Read measuring jugs at eye level, looking at the bottom of the curve.
Common capacities: teaspoon ≈ 5 ml; cup ≈ 250 ml; 1 litre bottle = 1000 ml.

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