mL (milliliter) and cL (centiliter) are both units of volume in the metric system. The key difference is their relative size: 1 cL is equal to 10 mL.
Understanding Milliliters (mL)
A milliliter is a relatively small unit of volume.
- It is equal to one cubic centimeter (1 cm³).
- Approximately 20 drops of water equal 1 mL.
- Commonly used to measure small quantities of liquids, like medicine dosages or ingredients in recipes.
Understanding Centiliters (cL)
A centiliter is a larger unit of volume compared to a milliliter.
- The prefix "centi-" means one-hundredth, so 1 cL is one-hundredth of a liter (1/100 L).
- Since 1 cL equals 10 mL, it is often used when expressing volumes between milliliters and liters.
- Commonly seen on beverage containers, especially in Europe.
Conversion Between mL and cL
Here's how to convert between the two units:
- mL to cL: Divide the number of milliliters by 10.
- Example: 50 mL = 50 / 10 = 5 cL
- cL to mL: Multiply the number of centiliters by 10.
- Example: 8 cL = 8 * 10 = 80 mL
Comparison Table
| Unit | Abbreviation | Relationship to Liter | Relationship to mL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milliliter | mL | 1/1000 L | 1 mL |
| Centiliter | cL | 1/100 L | 10 mL |
In summary, understanding that 1 cL is equal to 10 mL allows for easy conversion between these common metric units of volume.
