The centilitre, a lesser-known unit, is often overshadowed by its more popular counterparts, the litre and millilitre. Primarily used in European countries, a centilitre (cL) is equal to 10 millilitres or one-hundredth of a litre. It’s a convenient measure for small volumes, especially in the context of beverages. For example, if you order a glass of wine in France or Switzerland, it’s common for the serving size to be expressed in centilitres, like 12.5 cL, which allows for precise portion control and is distinct from the typically larger measurements used elsewhere. This unit provides an ideal balance between too fine a granularity and too coarse a measurement, making it popular in the culinary world.
The decilitre, a metric unit of volume, equates to one-tenth of a litre, or precisely 100 millilitres. While the metric system is well-known for its ease of use, the decilitre often flies under the radar, overshadowed by its bigger sibling, the litre. It’s particularly prevalent in certain European countries for measuring beverages, like boxed wine or packaged juices, offering a convenient middle ground between the millilitre and litre.
Interestingly, the term “decilitre” also connects to the origin of the metric system, which was established during the French Revolution. The French aimed to simplify and standardize measurements, allowing easy conversion and understanding across different regions—a legacy that continues to shape global measurement systems today. Embracing the decilitre invites a peek into this rich history of measurement.
| Centilitres | Decilitres |
|---|---|
0
cl
|
0
dl
|
1
cl
|
0.1
dl
|
2
cl
|
0.2
dl
|
3
cl
|
0.3
dl
|
4
cl
|
0.4
dl
|
5
cl
|
0.5
dl
|
6
cl
|
0.6
dl
|
7
cl
|
0.7
dl
|
8
cl
|
0.8
dl
|
9
cl
|
0.9
dl
|
10
cl
|
1
dl
|
11
cl
|
1.1
dl
|
12
cl
|
1.2
dl
|
13
cl
|
1.3
dl
|
14
cl
|
1.4
dl
|
15
cl
|
1.5
dl
|
16
cl
|
1.6
dl
|
17
cl
|
1.7
dl
|
18
cl
|
1.8
dl
|
19
cl
|
1.9
dl
|
20
cl
|
2
dl
|
21
cl
|
2.1
dl
|
22
cl
|
2.2
dl
|
23
cl
|
2.3
dl
|
24
cl
|
2.4
dl
|
25
cl
|
2.5
dl
|
26
cl
|
2.6
dl
|
27
cl
|
2.7
dl
|
28
cl
|
2.8
dl
|
29
cl
|
2.9
dl
|
30
cl
|
3
dl
|
31
cl
|
3.1
dl
|
32
cl
|
3.2
dl
|
33
cl
|
3.3
dl
|
34
cl
|
3.4
dl
|
35
cl
|
3.5
dl
|
36
cl
|
3.6
dl
|
37
cl
|
3.7
dl
|
38
cl
|
3.8
dl
|
39
cl
|
3.9
dl
|
40
cl
|
4
dl
|
41
cl
|
4.1
dl
|
42
cl
|
4.2
dl
|
43
cl
|
4.3
dl
|
44
cl
|
4.4
dl
|
45
cl
|
4.5
dl
|
46
cl
|
4.6
dl
|
47
cl
|
4.7
dl
|
48
cl
|
4.8
dl
|
49
cl
|
4.9
dl
|
50
cl
|
5
dl
|
51
cl
|
5.1
dl
|
52
cl
|
5.2
dl
|
53
cl
|
5.3
dl
|
54
cl
|
5.4
dl
|
55
cl
|
5.5
dl
|
56
cl
|
5.6
dl
|
57
cl
|
5.7
dl
|
58
cl
|
5.8
dl
|
59
cl
|
5.9
dl
|
60
cl
|
6
dl
|
61
cl
|
6.1
dl
|
62
cl
|
6.2
dl
|
63
cl
|
6.3
dl
|
64
cl
|
6.4
dl
|
65
cl
|
6.5
dl
|
66
cl
|
6.6
dl
|
67
cl
|
6.7
dl
|
68
cl
|
6.8
dl
|
69
cl
|
6.9
dl
|
70
cl
|
7
dl
|
71
cl
|
7.1
dl
|
72
cl
|
7.2
dl
|
73
cl
|
7.3
dl
|
74
cl
|
7.4
dl
|
75
cl
|
7.5
dl
|
76
cl
|
7.6
dl
|
77
cl
|
7.7
dl
|
78
cl
|
7.8
dl
|
79
cl
|
7.9
dl
|
80
cl
|
8
dl
|
81
cl
|
8.1
dl
|
82
cl
|
8.2
dl
|
83
cl
|
8.3
dl
|
84
cl
|
8.4
dl
|
85
cl
|
8.5
dl
|
86
cl
|
8.6
dl
|
87
cl
|
8.7
dl
|
88
cl
|
8.8
dl
|
89
cl
|
8.9
dl
|
90
cl
|
9
dl
|
91
cl
|
9.1
dl
|
92
cl
|
9.2
dl
|
93
cl
|
9.3
dl
|
94
cl
|
9.4
dl
|
95
cl
|
9.5
dl
|
96
cl
|
9.6
dl
|
97
cl
|
9.7
dl
|
98
cl
|
9.8
dl
|
99
cl
|
9.9
dl
|
100
cl
|
10
dl
|
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