Standard Units of Measurement

To fill the space for an area, we would use a 1-unit by 1-unit square, or 1 square unit, to fill the space and determine the area. The unit could be a square centimeter, a square inch, or a square foot. The area of the two-dimensional shape below would be equal to 10 units².

To fill space for a volume, what type of unit would we use? Study the picture below, then click the image to see the unit.

The unit for volume will be a cube that is 1 unit on each side (1 cubic unit). This is why volume is always in cubic units. Keep in mind, the picture has cubic centimeters, but the units can be almost anything, like a cubic inch, cubic meter, cubic foot, etc.

Label it! The table below lists standard units of measurement. Determine how each unit is written as an area and as a volume. Click each unit to reveal the solution.

For example, if column 1 displayed meters (m), area would be m² and the volume would be m³.