Convert Liter (L, l) to Centiliter (cL) instantly.
About these units
Liter (L, l)
The liter is one of the most widely used units of volume worldwide, defined as the volume of a cube measuring 10 centimeters on each side, making 1 L = 1,000 cubic centimeters = 1 cubic decimeter. Despite not being an SI base unit, it is fully accepted for use with the SI system due to its universal practicality. The liter occupies a sweet spot: large enough to measure beverages, fuel, and household liquids, yet small enough for precise laboratory use. Its intuitive scale simplifies everyday tasks—recipes, medical dosages, aquarium capacities, and fuel economy are all naturally expressed in liters. In science, the liter's alignment with the metric system makes it indispensable for expressing fluid volumes, solution concentrations (L in mol/L), and gas quantities under standard conditions. Industrial systems use liters for chemical processing, water treatment, and food production, making it a cornerstone of modern volume measurement.
Centiliter (cL)
A centiliter equals 1/100 of a liter and is commonly used in beverage labeling, especially in Europe. Alcohol content, soft drink servings, and cooking measurements often appear in centiliters due to its convenient scale for small but not tiny volumes. Many European recipes also use cL because the metric system simplifies culinary measurement. Bartenders frequently use 2 cL or 4 cL pours for spirits, making the centiliter central to mixology and hospitality industries. The unit's casual everyday adoption shows how cultural preferences influence the popularity of particular metric subdivisions.