Centiliter is 0.01 liter units.
Centiliters to Milliliters Converter — cL to mL
Convert Centiliter (cL) to Milliliter (mL) using the exact conversion factor (1 centiliter = 10 milliliter). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Centiliters to Milliliters converter
Converter
Volume Converter
Convert metric, US customary, imperial, cooking, dry, and industrial volume units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Milliliter is 0.001 liter units.
Result = input x 1e-5 / 1e-6.
Volume uses the cubic meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Centiliters to Milliliters
Centiliter and Milliliter appear side by side at fuel pumps and on beverage labels, since the US measures liquids in gallons while most of the world uses liters. Specifically: Centiliter is 0.01 liter units, and milliliter is 0.001 liter units.
Formula
milliliters = centiliters × 10
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 centiliter equals 0.00001 base units, and 1 milliliter equals 0.000001 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct centiliter-to-milliliter factor of 10.
Simple example
1 cL × 10 = 10 mL
1 centiliter = 10 milliliters.
Real-world example
10 cL × 10 = 100 mL
10 centiliters = 100 milliliters.
Conversion table
| Centiliter (cL) | Milliliter (mL) |
|---|---|
| 1 cL | 10 mL |
| 5 cL | 50 mL |
| 10 cL | 100 mL |
| 25 cL | 250 mL |
| 50 cL | 500 mL |
| 100 cL | 1,000 mL |
Reverse conversion: Milliliter to Centiliter
10 mL × 0.1 = 1 cL
10 milliliters = 1 centiliters.
centiliters = milliliters × 0.1
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Milliliter to Centiliter.
Understanding the Centiliter (cL)
Centiliter is 0.01 liter units.
Understanding the Milliliter
Milliliter (mL) measures volume. A milliliter is one-thousandth of a liter, equal to one cubic centimeter. It is classified as a SI derived (metric prefix) unit.
Where it's used: Standard small-volume unit worldwide
Uses of the Milliliter today
- Medicine dosing (worldwide, including in the US)
- Cooking and recipe measurement outside the US
- Beverage and small-container labeling
History of the Milliliter
The milliliter follows directly from the liter via the 'milli-' SI prefix. It is notable as one of the few metric units in routine US use, since medicine dosing (syringes, liquid medication) is specified in milliliters even in the US.
Historical origin. Milliliter was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Milliliter — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — SI prefixes — Defines 'milli-' as the prefix for 10⁻³.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many milliliters are in 1 centiliter?
1 centiliter equals 10 milliliters, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert centiliter to milliliter?
Multiply the centiliter value by 10. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert milliliter back to centiliter?
Use the reverse factor: 1 milliliter equals 0.1 centiliters. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a centiliter?
Centiliter (cL) is a unit of volume.
What is a milliliter?
Milliliter (mL) measures volume. A milliliter is one-thousandth of a liter, equal to one cubic centimeter. It is classified as a SI derived (metric prefix) unit.
Is the centiliter to milliliter conversion exact?
Yes. Both centiliter and milliliter are defined by fixed standards rather than physical artifacts, so the factor of 10 used above is exact to as many digits as you choose to display.