Class 3 Capacity Worksheet — Free PDF with Answers

Capacity tells us how much liquid a container can hold. From a glass of water to a petrol tank, capacity is part of everyday life. In Class 3, the CBSE NCERT syllabus introduces the standard units of capacity — litre (L) and millilitre (mL) — and expects children to convert between them, add and subtract capacity amounts, and solve word problems.

This topic builds directly on the measurement skills children learn with length (metre, centimetre) and weight (kilogram, gram). The pattern is the same: a larger unit contains a fixed number of smaller units. For capacity, $1$ litre $= 1{,}000$ millilitres. Once a child grasps this relationship, they can apply the same addition, subtraction, and conversion methods they used for length and weight.

A well-designed class 3 capacity worksheet takes your child from understanding what litres and millilitres mean to confidently solving problems that involve conversion, carrying, and borrowing with capacity amounts. The worksheet in this article has 60 questions across three levels, each with a detailed answer key.

Below, we explain the key concepts, walk through sample questions, highlight common errors, and give parents practical tips for supporting their child at home.

The capacity section in CBSE Class 3 covers these ideas:

* Litre and millilitre — Litre (L) is used for larger quantities (a bottle of water, a bucket) and millilitre (mL) for smaller quantities (a spoon of medicine, a small cup).

* Conversion — $1$ L $= 1{,}000$ mL. So $2$ L $= 2{,}000$ mL, and $3{,}500$ mL $= 3$ L $500$ mL.

* Addition of capacity — $2$ L $400$ mL $+ 1$ L $700$ mL. Add millilitres first, carry if needed, then add litres.

* Subtraction of capacity — $5$ L $200$ mL $- 2$ L $800$ mL. Borrow $1$ L ($1{,}000$ mL) if the mL in the top number is smaller.

* Estimation — Estimating the capacity of common containers: a teaspoon holds about $5$ mL, a cup about $250$ mL, a water bottle about $1$ L, a bucket about $15$-$20$ L.

* Comparing capacities — Deciding which container holds more by converting both to the same unit.

* Word problems — Real-life scenarios like "A jug holds $2$ L $500$ mL of juice. Meera pours out $1$ L $750$ mL. How much juice is left?"

The 60 questions include these formats:

* Conversion — Convert $4$ L $250$ mL to millilitres. (Answer: $4{,}250$ mL.)
* Fill in the blank — $6{,}300$ mL $=$ ____ L ____ mL.
* Addition — $3$ L $650$ mL $+ 2$ L $500$ mL $=$ ____.
* Subtraction — $8$ L $100$ mL $- 3$ L $750$ mL $=$ ____.
* Choose the correct unit — The capacity of a bucket: $15$ ____ (mL or L).
* Estimation — Which is a better estimate for the capacity of a drinking glass: $250$ mL or $25$ L?
* Ordering — Arrange from least to greatest: $1$ L $500$ mL, $1{,}200$ mL, $2$ L.
* Word problems — "A tank holds $9$ L of water. $4$ L $600$ mL is used for cooking. How much water is left?"

All answers are provided with step-by-step working.

Level 1 focuses on basic conversion and simple operations without carrying or borrowing.

Sample questions:

1. Convert $5$ L to millilitres.
Answer: $5 \times 1{,}000 = 5{,}000$ mL.

2. Choose the correct unit: The capacity of a teaspoon is about $5$ ____ (mL / L).
Answer: mL.

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

What to expect: Level 1 ensures children understand the notation and can do basic conversions and additions. If your child scores 16/20 or above, move to Level 2.

Level 2 introduces carrying in addition and borrowing in subtraction of capacity amounts.

Sample questions:

1. Add: $3$ L $750$ mL $+ 2$ L $600$ mL.
Answer: mL: $750 + 600 = 1{,}350$ mL $= 1$ L $350$ mL. Carry $1$ L. Litres: $3 + 2 + 1 = 6$ L. Total: $6$ L $350$ mL.

2. Subtract: $7$ L $300$ mL $- 4$ L $800$ mL.
Answer: mL: $300 < 800$, borrow $1$ L ($1{,}000$ mL). $1{,}300 - 800 = 500$ mL. Litres: $6 - 4 = 2$ L. Answer: $2$ L $500$ mL.

3. A container has $4$ L $500$ mL of oil. $2$ L $750$ mL is poured out. How much oil remains?
Answer: $4$ L $500$ mL $- 2$ L $750$ mL: borrow $1$ L. $1{,}500 - 750 = 750$ mL. $3 - 2 = 1$ L. Answer: $1$ L $750$ mL.

What to expect: Borrowing in capacity works exactly like borrowing in weight — $1$ L $= 1{,}000$ mL, so borrow $1{,}000$ when needed. This is the main skill to practise at Level 2.

Level 3 features multi-step problems, comparisons, and problems involving multiplication.

Sample questions:

1. A shopkeeper mixes $3$ L $400$ mL of mango juice, $2$ L $850$ mL of orange juice, and $1$ L $750$ mL of water to make a punch. What is the total volume?
Answer: mL: $400 + 850 + 750 = 2{,}000$ mL $= 2$ L $0$ mL. Litres: $3 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 8$ L. Total: $8$ L.

2. Each glass holds $250$ mL. How many glasses can be filled from a $2$ L bottle?
Answer: $2$ L $= 2{,}000$ mL. Number of glasses $= 2{,}000 \div 250 = 8$ glasses.

3. A water tank holds $10$ L. On Monday $3$ L $500$ mL is used, and on Tuesday $4$ L $200$ mL is used. How much water is left?
Answer: Total used $= 3$ L $500$ mL $+ 4$ L $200$ mL $= 7$ L $700$ mL. Left $= 10$ L $- 7$ L $700$ mL: $10{,}000 - 7{,}700 = 2{,}300$ mL $= 2$ L $300$ mL.

What to expect: Level 3 requires combining multiple operations and sometimes using division or multiplication with capacity. These questions are at the top end of Class 3 difficulty and prepare children for more advanced measurement work in Class 4.

These errors are especially common with capacity problems:

* Confusing the conversion factor — Children sometimes write $1$ L $= 100$ mL (confusing it with $1$ m $= 100$ cm). The correct conversion is $1$ L $= 1{,}000$ mL. Keep a conversion chart visible during practice.

*Carrying only $100$ mL instead of $1{,}000$ mL** — When $750$ mL $+ 600$ mL $= 1{,}350$ mL, the carry is $1$ L ($1{,}000$ mL), leaving $350$ mL. Some children carry only $100$, writing $1$ L $250$ mL.

* Wrong unit choice — Saying a bucket holds $15$ mL instead of $15$ L, or a spoon holds $5$ L instead of $5$ mL. Estimation practice helps prevent this.

* Not converting before comparing — Comparing $1$ L $200$ mL and $1{,}500$ mL without converting both to the same unit. ($1$ L $200$ mL $= 1{,}200$ mL, which is less than $1{,}500$ mL.)

* Subtracting litres and mL independently without borrowing — In $5$ L $200$ mL $- 3$ L $800$ mL, children sometimes write $5 - 3 = 2$ L and $800 - 200 = 600$ mL, getting $2$ L $600$ mL instead of the correct $1$ L $400$ mL.

Capacity is easy to demonstrate in the kitchen. Here are practical strategies:

1. Use measuring cups and jugs. Let your child pour water using a $1$ L bottle and a $250$ mL cup. Ask: "How many cups fill the bottle?" ($4$ cups.) This builds intuition for the relationship between L and mL.

2. Read labels. Pick up a juice carton, a shampoo bottle, or a medicine bottle and read the capacity printed on it. Ask: "Is this more or less than $1$ litre?"

3. Cook together. Recipes often call for $500$ mL of milk or $250$ mL of water. Let your child measure the amounts. This combines reading, pouring, and numerical understanding.

4. Estimate before measuring. Before pouring, ask your child to guess how many millilitres a particular container holds. Then measure to check. Over time, their estimates will become more accurate.

5. Print the worksheet. The capacity worksheet PDF provides structured practice that complements the hands-on activities.

6. Use online practice for reinforcement. The SparkEd online module gives instant feedback and tracks which sub-skills need more work.

7. Link capacity to weight. For water, $1$ L weighs approximately $1$ kg. This cross-topic connection reinforces both measurement chapters.

SparkEd provides free resources for capacity practice:

* Free Worksheet PDF — 60 questions across three levels with step-by-step answers.

* Online Practice — Interactive questions with instant feedback and AI-powered hints via the Spark Coach.

* Fresh worksheets every time — Each download shuffles the question bank for unlimited practice variety.

* Aligned to CBSE NCERT — Every question matches the Class 3 syllabus.

All resources are free and require no sign-up.

Get started today:

1. Download the Capacity Worksheet PDF — Print and complete Level 1.

2. Practise capacity online — Use for daily revision.

3. Explore related Class 3 topics:
* Measurement — Length & Weight — Metres, centimetres, kilograms, grams.
* Money — Another real-life application of addition and subtraction.
* Time — Measuring in hours and minutes.

Consistent daily practice — even 15 minutes — builds the measurement fluency that leads to confident problem-solving in exams and real life.