5 liters is equal to 0.005 cubic meters.
The conversion from liters to cubic meters involves understanding that one liter is a unit of volume equal to one thousandth of a cubic meter. Therefore, converting 5 liters to cubic meters means multiplying by 0.001, providing the exact volume in cubic units.
Conversion Tool
Result in cubic:
Conversion Formula
The formula to convert liters to cubic meters is simple: multiply the liter value by 0.001. This works because 1 liter equals exactly 0.001 cubic meters. Liter is based on a cube that measures 10 centimeters on each side, and cubic meter is the SI unit for volume.
Example: Converting 5 liters to cubic meters:
- Start with 5 liters
- Multiply by the conversion factor: 5 × 0.001
- Result: 0.005 cubic meters
Conversion Example
- Convert 12 liters to cubic meters:
- 12 liters × 0.001 = 0.012 cubic meters
- This means 12 liters occupies 0.012 cubic meters of space.
- Convert 0.5 liters to cubic meters:
- 0.5 × 0.001 = 0.0005 cubic meters
- A half liter equals 0.0005 cubic meters.
- Convert 100 liters to cubic meters:
- 100 × 0.001 = 0.1 cubic meters
- So 100 liters is 0.1 cubic meters volume.
- Convert 25.7 liters to cubic meters:
- 25.7 × 0.001 = 0.0257 cubic meters
- This value shows the cubic volume equivalent.
Conversion Chart
The chart below shows liter values from -20.0 to 30.0 and their converted cubic meter equivalents. Negative values may represent theoretical or reverse scenarios. To use, find the liter value in the left column, then read across for the corresponding cubic meter value.
| Liters | Cubic Meters |
|---|---|
| -20.0 | -0.0200 |
| -15.0 | -0.0150 |
| -10.0 | -0.0100 |
| -5.0 | -0.0050 |
| 0.0 | 0.0000 |
| 5.0 | 0.0050 |
| 10.0 | 0.0100 |
| 15.0 | 0.0150 |
| 20.0 | 0.0200 |
| 25.0 | 0.0250 |
| 30.0 | 0.0300 |
Related Conversion Questions
- How many cubic meters are in 5 liters exactly?
- What is the cubic equivalent of 5 liters in scientific units?
- Can 5 liters be converted to cubic meters without losing precision?
- What formula do I use to change 5 liters into cubic volume?
- Is 5 liters bigger or smaller than 0.005 cubic meters?
- How do I calculate volume in cubic meters from 5 liters?
- Why does 5 liters convert to 0.005 cubic meters and not another value?
Conversion Definitions
Liter: A liter is a unit of volume in the metric system, equal to one cubic decimeter (10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm). It is commonly used to measure liquids and capacity. One liter is exactly 1,000 cubic centimeters, or 0.001 cubic meters.
Cubic: Cubic refers to volume units based on cubes, usually cubic meters (m³), representing volume inside a cube measuring one meter on each side. It is the standard SI unit for volume, often used in science and engineering for larger volumes than liters.
Conversion FAQs
Why is the factor 0.001 used to convert liters to cubic meters?
Because one liter is defined as a cubic decimeter, which is one-thousandth of a cubic meter. Since a cubic meter is 1000 liters, to convert liters to cubic meters you multiply by 0.001 to scale down to the base SI unit.
Can I convert liters to other cubic units from cubic meters?
Yes, once you have the volume in cubic meters, you can convert it to other cubic units like cubic centimeters or cubic feet by applying the corresponding conversion factors. Cubic meters act as a base unit for volume conversions.
What happens if I input a negative liter value in conversion?
Negative values are mathematically valid but physically unusual since volume usually can’t be negative. The tool will calculate it, but the meaning depends on your context, such as representing volume changes or differences.
Is there rounding error when converting liters to cubic meters?
Since the conversion factor is exact (0.001), rounding errors occur only when displaying results with limited decimal places. Using more decimals reduces this, but for practical use, four decimal places is enough.
Why is the cubic meter preferred over liter in some applications?
Cubic meters are preferred for larger volumes, like room sizes or industrial measurements, because it fits naturally in the SI system and scales better for big quantities, whereas liters suit smaller containers and everyday usage.
Last Updated : 17 July, 2025

Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.