What You Need to Know

Capacity is how much a container can hold. Volume is the amount of liquid or substance inside. We compare capacity using words like full, empty, more than, and less than.

Key Concept Diagram

Capacity tells us how much a container CAN hold when it is full

Volume tells us how much liquid IS currently in the container

We compare containers: this bottle holds MORE than that cup

We measure using non-standard units like cups or scoops

Key Vocabulary

capacity

How much a container can hold when full

full

A container that has as much inside as it can hold

empty

A container with nothing inside

volume

The amount of liquid or material currently inside a container

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

A big bucket and a small cup — which has a greater capacity?

The small cup The big bucket Both the same Cannot compare

Question 2

A glass is completely full of juice. What is the volume compared to its capacity?

Volume is less than capacity Volume is more than capacity Volume equals capacity Volume is zero

Question 3

We fill a bowl using a small cup. It takes 8 cups to fill the bowl. It takes 3 cups to fill a mug. Which has greater capacity?

The mug Both the same Cannot compare The bowl

Question 4

What word describes a container with nothing in it?

Empty Half Full Overflowing

Question 5

Tom has a 1-litre bottle and a 500 mL bottle. Which holds more?

The 500 mL bottle The 1-litre bottle Both the same Cannot tell

Capacity and Volume