Liter vs Litre

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

 LiterLitre
MeaningA unit to measure liquid volume; one liter is equal to 1,000 milliliters.A measure of liquid that is equal to 1,000 milliliters.
CEFR levelB1B2
Part of speechnounnoun
Usage notesUsed commonly in everyday contexts when measuring liquids. It's important in cooking, science, and when buying drinks. In some countries, it is the standard measurement for liquids.Used mainly in the metric system. Common across many countries; less common in the US, which uses gallons. Appropriate in both spoken and written contexts when discussing volume.

Frequently asked questions: Liter vs Litre

What's the difference between "Liter" and "Litre"?

"Liter" means: A unit to measure liquid volume; one liter is equal to 1,000 milliliters. "Litre" means: A measure of liquid that is equal to 1,000 milliliters.

When should I use "Liter" and "Litre"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Liter" and "Litre" the same CEFR level?

"Liter" is at B1, "Litre" is at B2 on the CEFR scale.