How to Convert Litres to Cubic centimetres (L to cm³)
Volume conversions help with baking from American recipes, comparing petrol prices quoted per gallon abroad with pump prices per litre here, and reading PUB water bills in cubic metres. This guide shows how to convert litres into cubic centimetres by hand, with examples and a quick-reference table.
The conversion
To convert litres to cubic centimetres, multiply the value by 1,000. To go the other way, divide by the same number (or multiply by 0.001). For a quick estimate, multiply by about 1,000.
Cubic centimetres = litres × 1,000
Worked examples
- 3 L = 3,000 cm³
- 12.5 L = 12,500 cm³
- 75 L = 75,000 cm³
Litres to Cubic centimetres table
| Litres | Cubic centimetres |
|---|---|
| 1 L | 1,000 cm³ |
| 2 L | 2,000 cm³ |
| 5 L | 5,000 cm³ |
| 10 L | 10,000 cm³ |
| 20 L | 20,000 cm³ |
| 25 L | 25,000 cm³ |
| 50 L | 50,000 cm³ |
| 100 L | 100,000 cm³ |
| 250 L | 250,000 cm³ |
| 500 L | 500,000 cm³ |
| 1,000 L | 1,000,000 cm³ |
Common questions
Is L to cm³ exact?
The factors used here are the internationally defined values where they exist; results are rounded for display only.
How do I convert back?
Use the Cubic centimetres to Litres converter.
Mistakes to avoid
Rounding the factor too early
Using 3 instead of 3.28 for feet per metre introduces an error of almost 9% before you have started.
Mixing similar-sounding units
US and imperial gallons, pints and tons are different sizes, and decimal kilobytes differ from binary kibibytes.
Dropping the units
A bare number without a unit is easy to misread later. Always write the unit with the result.
Background
A conversion table is handy for common values, but a calculator is faster and avoids interpolation errors for anything in between.
Many conversion factors are exact by definition. The inch has been defined as exactly 2.54 centimetres since 1959, and the pound as exactly 0.45359237 kilograms, so conversions involving them can be as precise as you need.
Writing the units next to every number while you work is the simplest way to avoid mistakes. If the units do not cancel to leave the one you want, the calculation is set up wrongly.
For any value, use the Litres to Cubic centimetres Converter or browse all volume converters.
Run your own numbers: Litres to Cubic centimetres Converter