Convert Liter to Centiliter
Convert liters to centiliters instantly. 1 liter = 100 centiliter — use the live calculator, the exact formula, a conversion table and worked examples. Also check the Centiliter to Liter converter for the reverse conversion.
Units explained
Liter
The liter is a metric unit of volume equal to one cubic decimeter (0.001 m³). It is the everyday metric volume unit.
Introduced in France in 1795; redefined in 1964 as exactly one cubic decimeter.
The world's common unit for beverages, fuel, and household liquids.
France, 1795; CGPM 1964.
Centiliter
A centiliter is one hundredth of a liter (10⁻⁵ m³).
Formed with the SI prefix centi- applied to the liter.
Used on beverage labels, especially for wine and spirits in Europe.
Metric prefix system.
Liter to Centiliter conversion formula
The relationship between liters and centiliters:
To convert liters to centiliters, multiply the value in liters by 100. To reverse, multiply centiliters by 0.01.
How to use this converter
Type a value into the calculator. The result in centiliters updates as you type. Tap a quick value, copy the result with one click, or use the swap arrow to jump straight to the Centiliter to Liter converter for the reverse direction.
Step-by-step: convert liters to centiliters
- Write down the value in liters (L).
- Multiply that value by the factor 100.
- The product is the equivalent value in centiliters (cL).
- To reverse, multiply the centiliter value by 0.01.
Worked examples
Example 1 — Convert 1 L to cL:
1 × 100 = 100 cL
Example 2 — Convert 100 L to cL:
100 × 100 = 10000 cL
Real-world example — Adjacent metric sub-units
One liter equals 1,000 centiliters. Engineers move between these scales constantly: PCB feature sizes in the larger unit, wire-bond diameters in the smaller.
1 L × 100 = 100 cL
Real-world example — Adjacent small-scale precision
One liter equals 1,000 centiliters — the standard sub-millimeter precision conversion that materials engineers use whenever they switch between bulk material thickness specs (larger unit) and surface-finish characteristics (smaller unit).
1 L × 100 = 100 cL
Liter to Centiliter conversion table
Standard reference values for converting liters to centiliters:
| Liter [L] | Centiliter [cL] |
|---|---|
| 0.01 | 1 |
| 0.1 | 10 |
| 1 | 100 |
| 2 | 200 |
| 3 | 300 |
| 4 | 400 |
| 5 | 500 |
| 10 | 1000 |
| 20 | 2000 |
| 30 | 3000 |
| 40 | 4000 |
| 50 | 5000 |
| 100 | 10000 |
| 500 | 50000 |
| 1000 | 100000 |
Frequently asked questions
How many centiliters is 1 liter?
How do I convert liters to centiliters?
How do I convert centiliters back to liters?
How many centiliters is 100 liters?
Popular volume unit conversions
Convert Liter to other volume units
Show all Liter conversions
Metric / SI (13 units)
US Customary (Liquid) (15 units)
US Customary (Dry) (5 units)
Imperial (UK) (14 units)
Cubic (length-derived) (4 units)
Cooking / Culinary (5 units)
Industrial / Specialized (6 units)
Sources & references
Conversion factor (1 L = 100 cL) verified against the following authoritative sources:
- BIPM — The International System of Units (SI Brochure 9th ed.)
Official BIPM publication defining the seven SI base units (including the meter) and the rules for their use. The global authority on units of measurement.
- NIST — Guide to the SI
US National Institute of Standards and Technology reference covering the SI base and derived units with definitions and usage rules for US technical practice.
- NIST Special Publication 811 — Guide for the Use of the International System of Units
Detailed NIST guide covering exact conversion factors between SI and US customary units along with formatting and rounding conventions.
- NIST — Refinement of values for the yard and pound (Federal Register 1959)
The treaty (signed by US
- International Hydrographic Organization — Resolution on the Nautical Mile
International authority that standardised the nautical mile at exactly 1852 m in 1929 — the value adopted worldwide for sea and air navigation.