Understand the idea.
How much fits inside?
Capacity is how much a container can hold when it is full. Look at the whole space inside the container, rather than only the liquid it has in it now.
A nearly empty large jug may still hold more when full than a full little cup. To compare capacities, find how much each container can hold, not which one currently contains more water.
Use the same cup
Use the same small cup to fill each container. Fill the cup to the same level every time and count the cupfuls. The cup is the unit, so each counted cupful must be equal.
The container needing more equal cupfuls to fill it has the greater capacity. You can also pour from one full container into an empty one to compare. Use a tray and an adult's help for pouring.
See the method in action.
Count equal cupfuls
Container A holds 3 cupfuls and B holds 5 of the same cupfuls. Which holds more?
Worked solution
- 1
Check that the cupfuls match.
Both container counts use the same small cup.
- 2
Compare the number of cupfuls.
Five equal cupfuls fill more space than three of those cupfuls.
- 3
Choose the greater capacity.
B holds five cupfuls, so B has the greater capacity.
B has the greater capacity.
Pour to compare
A full small jug is poured into an empty large jug. There is room left. Which jug holds more?
Worked solution
- 1
Follow all the liquid into the large jug.
The small jug was full, so this is as much as the small jug holds.
- 2
Look for room in the large jug.
It holds all that liquid and still has empty space.
- 3
Compare the full amounts.
The large jug can hold more than the full small jug, so its capacity is greater.
The large jug holds more.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
Two jars each hold 4 cupfuls of the same cup. Compare their capacities.
Show answer & reasoning
They have the same capacity.
The jars have the same capacity. Each holds four cupfuls, and the cupful unit is the same for both jars.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions
Read the questions online
- In the picture, which container holds less?
- A bowl holds 6 cupfuls. A jar holds 4 of the same cupfuls. Which holds more?
- Is an empty bucket's capacity zero?
- Jo uses a tiny cup and Lee uses a big cup. Are their cup counts fair to compare?
- You pour a full cup into an empty jug. The jug has room left. Which holds more?
- Explain one safe way to find which of two containers holds more.
Read the worked solutions
- In the picture, which container holds less?
Three cupfuls is less than five.
A. - A bowl holds 6 cupfuls. A jar holds 4 of the same cupfuls. Which holds more?
Six is more than four when the cup size is the same.
The bowl. - Is an empty bucket's capacity zero?
The bucket can still hold liquid even when it is empty.
No. - Jo uses a tiny cup and Lee uses a big cup. Are their cup counts fair to compare?
They used different-sized units.
No. - You pour a full cup into an empty jug. The jug has room left. Which holds more?
It holds the cupful and could hold more.
The jug. - Explain one safe way to find which of two containers holds more.
Use equal full cupfuls and avoid spills.
Use the same small cup to fill each one and compare the counts, with adult help and a tray.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum 2026
Year 1 informal comparisons and measuring with uniform units; explanation and practical activity accompany fluency.
Official curriculum source ↗