Liter (L)
Definition
The liter (symbol L) is a metric unit of volume equal to exactly one cubic decimeter, or 0.001 cubic meters. It is the standard household volume unit in most countries and is accepted for use with the SI.
History
The liter was introduced in France in 1795 as the volume of one kilogram of water under specified conditions. In 1901 it was redefined slightly to match that mass exactly, then in 1964 the General Conference on Weights and Measures aligned it with the cubic decimeter, eliminating the residual 28-parts-per-million discrepancy that the 1901 definition had created.
Although not an SI base or derived unit, the liter is permitted for use with the SI and is the dominant volume unit for fuel, beverages, household chemicals, and laboratory work in most of the world.
Standard reference
Defined by the BIPM SI Brochure as exactly 1 dm³ = 0.001 m³ since 1964. Accepted for use with the SI under NIST Special Publication 811.
Common conversions
| 1 L | = 1,000 mL |
|---|---|
| = 0.264172 US gal | |
| = 33.814 US fl oz | |
| = 4.22675 US cups |