Capacity | Measure

: Refers to the actual amount of space occupied by an object or the substance within it. If that 1-liter jug only contains 500 mL of water, the volume of the water is 500 mL. Common Systems of Measurement

: Refers to the potential amount a container can hold. For instance, a 1-liter jug has a capacity of 1 liter, regardless of how much liquid is currently inside. capacity measure

The distinction between these two terms is subtle but important: : Refers to the actual amount of space

Capacity measure refers to the (liquid, gas, or solid) a container can hold when full. While often used interchangeably with "volume," capacity specifically focuses on the internal space available within a hollow object to accommodate a substance. Capacity vs. Volume capacity measure