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Cubic metres to litres

Multiply cubic metres by 1,000 to get litres.

1 m³ = 1,000 LBIPM SI · BIPM SI
2,000L

2 m³ = 2,000 L

How to convert cubic metres to litres

The litre is a cubic decimetre (0.001 m³), the SI-accepted metric unit of volume. The cubic metre is the SI unit of volume, a cube one metre on each side — exactly 1000 litres.

Worked example — 2 m³: 2 × 1,000 = 2,000 L.

Cubic metres to litres table

Common conversions.
Cubic metresLitres
0.1 100 L
0.25 250 L
0.5 500 L
1 1,000 L
2 2,000 L
5 5,000 L
10 10,000 L
50 50,000 L
100 100,000 L

Reverse and related

About cubic metres and litres

Cubic metre (m³)

1 m³ = 1,000 L

Definition. The SI unit of volume, a cube one metre on each side — exactly 1000 litres

History and origin

The cubic metre is the SI unit of volume, a cube one metre on each side, equal to 1000 litres. It came with the metre in the metric system.

Current use

Cubic metres measure water and gas supply, shipping volume and bulk storage across the metric world.

Source: BIPM SI Brochure (2019); the cubic metre (m³) is the coherent SI unit of volume, the cube of the metre (1 m³ = 1000 L)

Litre (L)

1 L = 0.001 m³

Definition. A cubic decimetre (0.001 m³), the SI-accepted metric unit of volume

History and origin

The litre was introduced in France in 1795 as a unit of volume, defined as one cubic decimetre. It is not an SI base unit but is accepted for use with the SI.

Current use

Litres measure drinks and bottles, fuel and engine sizes across the metric world, and appear on beverage containers almost everywhere.

Source: BIPM SI Brochure (2019); the litre is an SI-accepted unit (1 L = 1 dm³)

Where people use this

Cubic metres: water and gas bills, shipping and storage. Litres: drinks and bottles, fuel, engine sizes. 1 cubic metre is exactly 1000 litres.

How we know this is right
The factor is fixed by the standards that define the units, not chosen — so it is exact, not a measurement:
1 L = 0.001 m³, so 1 m³ = 1 ÷ 0.001 = 1,000 L.

Every value is carried to full double precision; the display is rounded.

Sources: BIPM SI Brochure (2019); the litre is an SI-accepted unit (1 L = 1 dm³); BIPM SI Brochure (2019); the cubic metre (m³) is the coherent SI unit of volume, the cube of the metre (1 m³ = 1000 L).

Questions people ask

How many litres in a cubic metre?

One cubic metre is exactly 1000 litres.

How many litres is 2 cubic metres?

2 cubic metres is 2000 litres.

How many cubic metres is 500 litres?

500 litres is 0.5 cubic metres.