Measurement: Length, Mass and Capacity
Measurement: Length, Mass and Capacity is the Year 3 topic covering measuring, comparing, adding and subtracting length (in millimetres, centimetres and metres), mass (in grams and kilograms) and capacity (in millilitres and litres), including converting between related units.
Method
- Choose the correct unit for what is being measured: millimetres or centimetres for small lengths, metres for longer distances; grams for light objects, kilograms for heavier ones; millilitres for small amounts of liquid, litres for larger amounts.
- Read a scale carefully by working out what each small division on the ruler, weighing scale or measuring jug represents before reading off a value.
- To compare two measurements given in the same unit, compare the numbers directly.
- To add or subtract measurements, make sure they are in the same unit first, converting if needed (e.g. 1 m = 100 cm), then add or subtract as with whole numbers.
- Use column addition or subtraction for measurements with more than one digit, exactly as you would for ordinary numbers.
- Check that your answer is a sensible size for the object or container in the question.
Worked example
A jug holds 750 ml of water. Another jug holds 1 litre 200 ml of water. Work out the total amount of water in the two jugs, giving your answer in millilitres.
- Convert 1 litre 200 ml into millilitres: 1 litre = 1000 ml, so 1 litre 200 ml = 1000 + 200 = 1200 ml.
- Add the two amounts together: 750 + 1200.
- 750 + 1200 = 1950.
- The total amount of water is 1950 ml.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1How many centimetres are there in 2 metres?Show answer
Answer: 200 cm
Q2How many grams are there in 1 kilogram?Show answer
Answer: 1000 g
Q3A bottle holds 330 ml. How many millilitres are needed to fill 2 bottles?Show answer
Answer: 660 ml
Q4A ribbon is 145 cm long. Another ribbon is 68 cm long. What is the total length of both ribbons?Show answer
Answer: 213 cm
Q5A bag of flour weighs 1 kg 500 g. Write this weight in grams.Show answer
Answer: 1500 g
Q6A tank holds 5 litres of water. 1 litre 300 ml is poured out. How much water is left?Show answer
Answer: 3 litres 700 ml (3700 ml)
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a KS2 Maths exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Sam has a piece of string that is 2 m 35 cm long. He cuts off 80 cm. How much string is left? Give your answer in metres and centimetres.
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A recipe needs 450 g of flour for one cake. How much flour is needed to make 3 cakes? Give your answer in kilograms and grams.
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A watering can holds 2 litres of water. A smaller can holds 650 ml. How much more water does the larger can hold than the smaller can? Give your answer in millilitres.
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Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the measurement: length, mass 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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