Measurement (Capacity) Worksheet for Class 3 ICSE — Free PDF with Answers

Capacity — how much a container can hold — is one of the most practical measurement topics in primary mathematics. Children encounter capacity every day: a glass of milk, a bottle of water, a bucket for washing. In Class 3, the ICSE syllabus transforms this everyday experience into structured mathematical understanding.

The ICSE board, governed by CISCE, introduces litres (L) and millilitres (mL) as standard units of capacity in Class 3. Children learn the relationship between these units, convert between them, and perform addition and subtraction of capacities — skills that mirror what they have already learned with length (cm, m) and mass (g, kg).

This Class 3 ICSE capacity worksheet contains 60 questions across three levels. From basic unit identification to multi-step word problems involving buying and mixing liquids, the worksheet builds skills progressively. Every question comes with a detailed solution.

The ICSE Class 3 capacity curriculum includes the following.

Standard units of capacity. Litre (L) and millilitre (mL). The key relationship: $1$ L $= 1{,}000$ mL.

Conversion between units. Converting litres to millilitres: $3$ L $= 3{,}000$ mL. Converting millilitres to litres and millilitres: $2{,}750$ mL $= 2$ L $750$ mL.

Reading measuring containers. Identifying the capacity shown on graduated beakers, measuring cups, and jugs.

Addition of capacities. $2$ L $400$ mL $+ 1$ L $800$ mL $= 4$ L $200$ mL (with carrying).

Subtraction of capacities. $5$ L $300$ mL $- 2$ L $700$ mL $= 2$ L $600$ mL (with borrowing).

Estimation. Estimating the capacity of everyday containers — is a teacup closer to 150 mL or 1 L?

Comparison. Which holds more: $3$ L $200$ mL or $3{,}150$ mL? Convert to the same unit and compare.

Word problems. Practical scenarios involving filling containers, pouring liquids, and calculating how much liquid remains.

The worksheet uses varied question formats.

• Conversion — Convert $5$ L $250$ mL to mL. Convert $4{,}075$ mL to L and mL.
  - Addition — $3$ L $600$ mL $+ 2$ L $500$ mL $=$ ___
  - Subtraction — $7$ L $- 3$ L $450$ mL $=$ ___
  - Comparison — Use $>$, $<$ or $=$: $2$ L $500$ mL ___ $2{,}450$ mL
  - Estimation — The best estimate for a bucket of water: 5 mL, 5 L, or 50 L.
  - Fill in the blanks — $1$ L $=$ ___ mL
  - Word problems — A jug holds $2$ L of juice. $750$ mL is poured into a glass. How much juice is left in the jug?
  - Ordering — Arrange in ascending order: $1$ L, $950$ mL, $1$ L $100$ mL, $1{,}050$ mL
  - True or false — $500$ mL is half a litre. True or false?

This range ensures that children develop both computational skill and conceptual understanding of capacity.

Level 1 establishes the basic facts and develops comfort with litres and millilitres.

Sample questions:

1. How many millilitres are in $1$ litre?
*Answer: $1{,}000$ mL.*

2. Convert $2$ L to mL.
*Answer: $2 \times 1{,}000 = 2{,}000$ mL.*

3. Convert $3{,}500$ mL to L and mL.
*Answer: $3{,}500$ mL $= 3$ L $500$ mL.*

4. Which holds more: a teaspoon ($5$ mL) or a water bottle ($1$ L)?
*Answer: A water bottle ($1$ L $= 1{,}000$ mL) holds much more than a teaspoon ($5$ mL).*

5. Add: $1$ L $200$ mL $+ 2$ L $300$ mL.
*Answer: mL: $200 + 300 = 500$ mL. L: $1 + 2 = 3$ L. Total: $3$ L $500$ mL.*

Level 1 is straightforward but essential. The conversion $1$ L $= 1{,}000$ mL is the single most important fact in this topic. Make sure your child can state it without hesitation.

A practical activity: fill a $1$ L bottle using a measuring cup that holds $250$ mL. Your child will see that it takes exactly $4$ cups — connecting division with capacity measurement.

Level 2 introduces problems where addition of millilitres exceeds 1,000 (carry) or subtraction requires borrowing from litres.

Sample questions:

1. Add: $4$ L $700$ mL $+ 2$ L $600$ mL.
*Answer: mL: $700 + 600 = 1{,}300$ mL $= 1$ L $300$ mL. Carry $1$ L. Litres: $4 + 2 + 1 = 7$ L. Total: $7$ L $300$ mL.*

2. Subtract: $6$ L $200$ mL $- 3$ L $800$ mL.
*Answer: Cannot subtract $800$ mL from $200$ mL. Borrow: $6$ L $200$ mL $= 5$ L $1{,}200$ mL. Now: $1{,}200 - 800 = 400$ mL. $5 - 3 = 2$ L. Answer: $2$ L $400$ mL.*

3. Compare using $>$, $<$ or $=$: $3$ L $50$ mL ___ $3{,}500$ mL.
*Answer: $3$ L $50$ mL $= 3{,}050$ mL. Since $3{,}050 < 3{,}500$, the answer is $<$.*

4. A tank holds $8$ L of water. $2$ L $750$ mL is used for cooking. How much water remains?
*Answer: $8$ L $- 2$ L $750$ mL. Convert: $8$ L $= 7$ L $1{,}000$ mL. Then: $7$ L $1{,}000$ mL $- 2$ L $750$ mL $= 5$ L $250$ mL.*

5. Arrange in descending order: $2$ L, $1$ L $900$ mL, $2$ L $100$ mL, $1{,}800$ mL.
*Answer: Convert all to mL: $2{,}000$, $1{,}900$, $2{,}100$, $1{,}800$. Descending: $2{,}100$, $2{,}000$, $1{,}900$, $1{,}800$, i.e., $2$ L $100$ mL, $2$ L, $1$ L $900$ mL, $1{,}800$ mL.*

Level 2 uses the same carrying and borrowing logic as four-digit addition and subtraction, but with a conversion factor of 1,000 instead of 10.

Level 3 combines capacity measurement with multi-step reasoning.

Sample questions:

1. A milkman has $10$ L of milk. He sells $3$ L $500$ mL in the morning and $4$ L $250$ mL in the evening. How much milk is left?
*Answer: Total sold $= 3$ L $500$ mL $+ 4$ L $250$ mL $= 7$ L $750$ mL. Left $= 10$ L $- 7$ L $750$ mL $= 2$ L $250$ mL.*

2. Three containers hold $1$ L $250$ mL, $2$ L $500$ mL, and $1$ L $750$ mL of water. Can all the water fit into a $6$ L bucket?
*Answer: Total $= 1$ L $250$ mL $+ 2$ L $500$ mL $+ 1$ L $750$ mL $= 5$ L $500$ mL. Yes, it fits in a $6$ L bucket with $500$ mL to spare.*

3. A recipe needs $750$ mL of water. Anu has a $250$ mL cup. How many cups does she need to fill?
*Answer: $750 \div 250 = 3$ cups.*

4. A bottle holds $1$ L $500$ mL of juice. $4$ glasses, each holding $200$ mL, are filled from it. How much juice is left in the bottle?
*Answer: Juice poured $= 4 \times 200 = 800$ mL. Left $= 1$ L $500$ mL $- 800$ mL $= 1{,}500$ mL $- 800$ mL $= 700$ mL.*

5. Ravi drinks $2$ glasses of water a day. Each glass holds $250$ mL. How many litres of water does he drink in a week?
*Answer: Per day $= 2 \times 250 = 500$ mL. Per week $= 500 \times 7 = 3{,}500$ mL $= 3$ L $500$ mL.*

These questions combine multiplication, addition, subtraction, and conversion — exactly the kind of multi-step problems that ICSE exams value.

Use measuring cups and jugs. Kitchen measuring cups (typically $250$ mL) are perfect tools. Let your child fill a $1$ L bottle using the measuring cup and count how many cups it takes.

Water play. Fill different containers with water and ask your child to estimate which holds more. Then measure to check. This develops both estimation skills and a feel for capacity.

Read labels. Look at liquid product labels together — a $500$ mL shampoo bottle, a $2$ L cola bottle, a $5$ L can of cooking oil. Discuss how many small bottles make up a large one.

Cooking involvement. "We need $1$ L $500$ mL of water for the dal. Pour $750$ mL first. How much more do we need?" These kitchen maths problems are authentic and motivating.

Compare to known quantities. A standard water glass holds about $200$ mL. Ask: "How many glasses can we fill from a $1$ L bottle?" This connects capacity to division.

Create a measurement journal. Have your child record the capacity of five different containers at home with their estimates and actual measurements. This builds the habit of quantitative thinking.

SparkEd provides two free resources for ICSE Class 3 capacity.

Free printable worksheet. Download a PDF with 60 questions across three levels — from basic conversions to multi-step word problems involving litres and millilitres. Every answer shows the complete working. Download the Capacity worksheet here.

Online interactive practice. Answer capacity questions on screen with instant feedback and step-by-step explanations for wrong answers. Start practising Capacity online.

Both resources are aligned to the ICSE (CISCE) Class 3 syllabus. The question types and difficulty match what your child will encounter in school tests. Worksheets are free to download without sign-up, and online practice is free with a SparkEd account.

Capacity measurement pairs naturally with Length and Mass — all three measurement topics use the same conversion and computation skills, just with different units.