Understanding capacity
Capacity is the amount something can hold.
You can use the words 'full', 'half full' and 'empty' to describe capacity.
If a cup, box, or even a bath, can't hold any more of something, then it is at 'full capacity'.
Activity: What is capacity?
Complete this interactive activity to understand how to describe capacity. Then put your knowledge to the test.
What are containers?
Containers come in many shapes and sizes, such as boxes, baskets, glasses, jugs and cooking pots.
They all have capacity to hold things such as liquids and solids.
By looking inside a container or box, you can see if the container is 'empty', 'half full' or 'full'.
Example 1
True or false? The recycling bin is empty.
✓False
The recycling bin is full of paper.
You can see that the level of recycling has reached the top of the basket, so the recycling bin is full.
Example 2
Here are some coin jars. Which one is half full?
✓b
Jar b is half full. The level of the coins is halfway up the jar.
Jar a is empty. Jar c is full.
Example 3
Which glass is half full?
✓c
Glass c is half full.
The level of the juice is halfway up the glass.
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