Capacity Teaching Resources
Teach your students to measure capacity (aka liquid volume) with printable worksheets and digital liquid measurement activities designed by Aussie teachers, for teachers like you!
From word problems to worksheets that help students understand capacity units of measurement, each printable and digital option in this in-depth collection of teaching resources has been created by a teacher to help students meet curriculum standards.
Each resource has also undergone a rigorous review by the teachers on the Teach Starter team to ensure they’re student-ready — so you can cut your lesson planning time in half.
New to teaching this part of the maths curriculum? Our teacher team knows what it’s like to suddenly teach a brand-new concept, so we’ve put together a time-saving refresher!
What Is Capacity? A Kid-Friendly Definition
If you're introducing capacity for the first time, having a definition that is kid-friendly can come in handy. Here's one from our teacher team:
Capacity is how much a container can hold. For example, if you wanted to know how much water you could put in your water bottle, you would need to find its capacity.
Capacity is sometimes called the liquid volume or 'volume of a liquid,' but when we're measuring capacity, you may be dealing with other states of matter too, including solids and gases.
For example, finding the capacity of a scuba diver's oxygen tank tells us how much of the gas can be stored inside the tank!
Capacity vs. Volume — What's the Difference?
You've noticed that we have used the terms 'volume of a liquid' and 'capacity' together, but capacity and volume aren't the same thing. In fact, this is a common point of confusion for many maths students!
So, let's look at the difference between volume and capacity!
Capacity
- Capacity refers to the amount a container can hold.
- Capacity describes the potential amount an object can hold — the object does not have to actually contain anything!
- Only hollow objects have capacity.
Volume
- Volume refers to how much space an object takes up.
- Volume describes the actual amount of space the object takes up, not the potential.
- Volume can be used when we are measuring both solid and hollow objects.
What Units Are Used to Measure Capacity?
Capacity is typically measured in litres or millilitres.
For example, when we buy milk from the supermarket, the bottle may come in 1 litre, 2 litre or 3 litre sizes.
How Do You Find the Volume of a Liquid?
The easiest way to measure the volume of a liquid is to fill a container —such as a graduated cylinder or beaker. Your students should learn how to read the intervals on each instrument to determine the liquid volume.
When studying this topic, students may practise reading measurement tools with single-unit intervals or those that progress by 10, 20 or 50.
Measuring Liquid Volume/Finding Capacity in the Classroom
Are you looking for some ways to help your students calculate and estimate the capacity of objects?
Perhaps you want to give your students real-life applications of when they may use capacity concepts. Along with the fun worksheets and activities in this collection of resources, the teachers at Teach Starter have a few ideas to share to get your students focused on finding the capacity of objects!
- Set up different stations that require students to measure a variety of liquids with beakers and graduated cylinders. Encourage students to read each instrument and record the amount of liquid in each.
- Set up a game with your students where they create equivalent units. For this measurement game, give each student a strip of paper with a different unit of capacity written on it. On the teacher's cue, students must find other classmates and group together in equivalent pairs.
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Measuring Capacity – Reading Scales Worksheet
Use this capacity worksheet to give students practice at reading scales on containers to measure capacity.
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Capacity Worksheet
A worksheet to use when exploring the concept of capacity.
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Measurement Worksheets for Foundation - Mass, Length, Capacity
Practise comparing units of mass, capacity, and length with a printable pack of foundation measurement worksheets.
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Volume and Capacity Maths Investigation – Splash World
A mathematics investigation about volume and capacity, embedded in a real-world context.
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Converting Units of Capacity Worksheet
A worksheet that focuses on converting units of capacity.
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Selecting Units of Capacity — Interactive Game
Estimate the units needed to measure capacity with an Interactive Measurement Game!
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Which Objects Have Capacity Worksheet
A worksheet to use when exploring the concept of capacity.
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How Much Does it Measure? Estimating Units Interactive (Mixed Units)
Estimate units of mass, volume, temperature, length, and more with an engaging, interactive measurement game.
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Measuring, Comparing and Ordering Capacity Worksheet
A worksheet that explores the concept of capacity using informal units of measurement.
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How Much Does It Measure? Match-Up Activity (Length, Mass and Capacity)
Reinforce measurement concepts of length, mass and capacity with 18 printable matching cards.
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Capacity Maths Investigation - Bath Time at the Farm!
A mathematics investigation involving capacity, embedded in a real-world context.
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Connecting Volume and Capacity Posters
A set of three posters to help with connecting and converting units of volume and capacity.
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Which Holds More? – Interactive PowerPoint
An interactive PowerPoint quiz that asks students to compare the capacity of various containers.
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Capacity Maths Investigation — Filling the Fish Tank Activity
A mathematics investigation involving capacity, embedded in a real-world context.
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Capacity Vocabulary Poster
A poster that explains the concept of capacity and lists associated vocabulary.
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Which Holds More? – Mini Book
A mini book that allows students to compare the capacity of various containers.
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Measuring Capacity with Informal Units
This Mathematics unit addresses the concept of measuring, comparing and ordering capacity using informal units.
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Assessment - Measuring Capacity with Informal Units
A 30 minute assessment in which students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of capacity.
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Comparing Capacities
A 60 minute lesson in which students will explore and compare the capacity of containers.
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Introduction to Capacity
A 60 minute lesson in which students will be introduced to and explore the concept of capacity.
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Measuring, Comparing and Ordering Capacities
A 60 minute lesson in which students will estimate and measure the capacity of containers using informal units.
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Capacity Investigation - Filling the Fish Tank
A 60 minute lesson in which students will apply their knowledge and understanding of capacity to a real-world situation.
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Revision of Capacity
A 60 minute lesson in which students will revise and consolidate the concept of capacity.