Volume is the amount of space taken up by a three-dimensional object. Volume often refers to liquid volume, which is the amount of space taken up by a liquid that completely spreads to fill its container. There are several tools used for measuring volume:
	Measuring spoons Measuring cups Cylinders Beakers
The U.S. Customary Units for measuring volume are ounces, cups, pints, quarts, and gallons. The Metric System units are milliliters and liters.
When to Use Which Unit
When measuring a small liquid volume, such as a dosage of cough medicine, the best unit to use is milliliters or ounces. A slightly larger volume, like the amount of flour or sugar needed to make cookie dough, would be measured using cups. A liquid volume of this size, like heavy cream, would be measured using pints, milliliters, or liters. The volume of a bigger amount, like a bottle of apple juice or soda pop, can be measured using liters and quarts. A really big liquid volume, like an aquarium or swimming pool, would be measured in gallons or liters.
Table of Volume Conversions
U.S. Customary		Metric System
Click on the link below for a fun and yummy way to put what you have learned about metrics and measures into practice.
"Baking with Weights and Measures"

Back to Kid's Home Page		Back to Metrics Menu