Measuring Weight and Capacity
Measuring Weight and Capacity is the Year 1 skill of comparing objects by mass, using a simple balance or hand-weighing, and comparing containers by capacity, before any numbers or standard units such as grams or millilitres are introduced.
Method
- Compare two real objects for weight by holding one in each hand ('hefting') or placing them on a simple see-saw balance, using the words heavier than and lighter than for the result.
- Extend to three or more objects, ordering them from lightest to heaviest using the balance to check each comparison rather than guessing by looking.
- Directly challenge the 'bigger means heavier' misconception: place a large, light object (a balloon or a beach ball) on a balance against a small, heavy object (a stone or a bag of coins) and let the child see the small object win.
- For capacity, compare two containers by pouring the same amount of water, sand or rice between them, or by filling both to the top, using the words full, empty, holds more and holds less.
- Challenge the matching capacity misconception the same way: pour identical amounts into a tall, narrow container and a short, wide container, so the child sees a taller-looking container does not always hold more.
- Introduce fraction-of-a-container vocabulary informally at this stage, such as half full and nearly empty, linking to the halves already met in shape and number work.
- Move from direct comparison to simple non-standard counting, such as 'how many cups of water fill the jug', giving an early rough number to a capacity before litres are introduced at Year 2.
Worked example
Tom weighs his toy robot on a balance against bags of marbles. The robot balances exactly against 6 bags of marbles. His toy car balances exactly against 9 bags of the same marbles. Which toy is heavier, and by how many bags of marbles?
- Write down both measurements using the same bags of marbles: robot = 6 bags, car = 9 bags.
- Since the same-sized bags were used for both toys, compare the two numbers directly: 9 is greater than 6.
- So the toy car is heavier than the toy robot.
- To find by how many bags, work out the difference: 9 - 6 = 3.
- The toy car is heavier than the toy robot by 3 bags of marbles.
Practice questions
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Q1Two bags are placed on a balance. Bag A goes down and Bag B goes up. Which bag is heavier?Show answer
Answer: Bag A (the side that goes down on a balance is the heavier side)
Q2Circle the word that means a container has nothing in it: A) full B) empty C) heavyShow answer
Answer: B) empty
Q3A jug holds 5 cups of water when full. Priya has poured in 5 cups. Is the jug full or half full?Show answer
Answer: Full
Q4Put these three objects in order from lightest to heaviest, using their balance readings in identical marble bags: a pencil case (3 bags), a shoe (7 bags), a feather (1 bag).Show answer
Answer: feather (1 bag), pencil case (3 bags), shoe (7 bags)
Q5A bucket balances against 12 bags of sand. A bowl balances against 5 bags of the same sand. How many more bags does the bucket balance against than the bowl?Show answer
Answer: 7 more bags (12 - 5 = 7)
Q6Sam says a big beach ball must be heavier than a small stone, because it is bigger. Is Sam correct? Explain your answer.Show answer
Answer: No, Sam is not correct. Size does not tell you weight; a big beach ball can be much lighter than a small, heavy stone, so you have to test it on a balance to be sure.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a KS1 Maths exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A melon balances exactly against 8 bags of rice. An orange balances exactly against 3 bags of the same rice. How many more bags does the melon balance against than the orange?
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A tall, narrow glass and a short, wide glass are each filled completely with orange juice. Ella says the tall glass definitely holds more juice, because it looks bigger. Explain why Ella might be wrong, and describe how she could check properly.
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Three bags balance against different numbers of identical cubes: Bag X against 14 cubes, Bag Y against 6 cubes, Bag Z against 10 cubes. Write the bags in order, starting with the lightest.
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the measuring weight and capacity worksheet pack - 6 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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