What is cubic centimetre?

A cubic centimetre is a metric unit of volume equal to one thousandth of a litre, or 1 millilitre. It is used in medicine, engine displacement specifications, and precise scientific measurements.

Real-world uses

Cubic centimetres are used for engine displacement (e.g., a 250 cc motorcycle engine), medical syringe volumes (often marked "cc"), and laboratory measurements. Small container volumes and 3D printing material estimates are expressed in cm³.

History

The cubic centimetre was the standard volume unit in the CGS system. The abbreviation "cc" became entrenched in automotive and medical fields. The JCAHO (now The Joint Commission) recommended against "cc" in medical prescriptions to reduce errors, though it persists.

Common mistakes

Using "cc" interchangeably with mL is technically acceptable (they are equal), but some medical institutions discourage "cc" because it can be misread as "00" in handwritten prescriptions.

What is tablespoon (metric)?

A metric tablespoon is a volume unit equal to exactly 15 millilitres. It is widely used in cooking recipes in metric countries as a convenient measure for sauces, oils, and seasonings.

Real-world uses

The metric tablespoon (15 mL) is used in cooking recipes worldwide, particularly for oil, vinegar, sauces, and spices. It is also a common dosing measure for adult liquid medicines. Nutritional databases often list serving sizes in tablespoons.

History

The tablespoon evolved from the table or serving spoon and was adopted as a cooking measure. The metric tablespoon was standardized at 15 mL (3 metric teaspoons). In Australia, the tablespoon was standardized at 20 mL, creating a regional exception.

Common mistakes

Assuming a tablespoon is always 15 mL—the Australian tablespoon is 20 mL, and the US customary tablespoon is 14.79 mL. Failing to check which standard a recipe uses can alter the outcome of precise baking recipes.

When is this conversion used?

Converting cubic centimetre to tablespoon (metric) is useful in the volume domain when comparing values across different measurement standards or applying formulas that require a specific unit.

Worked examples

1 cubic centimetre = 0.06666667 tablespoon (metric)

1 tablespoon (metric) = 0.015 litre

How to convert cubic centimetre to tablespoon (metric)

To convert cubic centimetre to tablespoon (metric), multiply the value by 0.06666667.

To convert tablespoon (metric) back to cubic centimetre, multiply by 15.

Measurement standards

The cubic metre is the SI derived unit of volume. The litre, equal to exactly one cubic decimetre (0.001 m³), is accepted by the BIPM for use alongside SI units. Both the lowercase "l" and uppercase "L" are approved symbols for the litre.

Did you know?

An Olympic swimming pool holds 2,500 cubic metres of water — about 2.5 million litres. The Amazon River discharges roughly 209,000 cubic metres per second, enough to fill 84 Olympic pools every single second.

Quick reference: cubic centimetre to tablespoon (metric)

cubic centimetretablespoon (metric)
0.10.00666667
0.50.03333333
10.06666667
20.13333333
50.33333333
100.66666667
251.66666667
503.33333333
1006.66666667
25016.66666667
50033.33333333
1,00066.66666667

Common values

cubic centimetretablespoon (metric)
A teaspoon5 cubic centimetre0.33333333 tablespoon (metric)
A cup of coffee250 cubic centimetre16.66666667 tablespoon (metric)
A water bottle500 cubic centimetre33.33333333 tablespoon (metric)
A bathtub300,000 cubic centimetre20,000 tablespoon (metric)
A swimming pool (Olympic)2.500000e+09 cubic centimetre166,666,666.66666669 tablespoon (metric)

Available Volume units

More cubic centimetre conversions