Converting Cubic Meters to Liters

The method to convert cubic meters (m³) to liters (L) is demonstrated in this worked example problem.

Problem:

How many liters are equal to 0.25 cubic meters?

Solution:

Conversion factors needed

1 cm³ = 1 mL
100 cm = 1 m
1000 mL = 1 L

Convert cubic meters to cubic centimeters

100 cm = 1 m
(100 cm)³ = (1 m)³
1,000,000 cm³ = 1 m³
since 1 cm³ = 1 mL

1 m³ = 1,000,000 mL or 10⁶ mL

Set up the conversion so the desired unit will be cancelled out. In this case, we want L to be the remaining unit.

volume in L = (volume in m³) x (10⁶ mL/1 m³) x (1 L/1000 mL)
volume in L = (0.25 m³) x (10⁶ mL/1 m³) x (1 L/1000 mL)
volume in L = (0.25 m³) x (10³ L/1 m³)
volume in L = 250 L

Answer:

There are 250 L in 0.25 cubic meters.