The quick answer is yes, 1 mL is the same as 1 cc when referring to a syringe. mL and cc are two different units of volume that are equivalent to each other. Both stand for 1 cubic centimeter, which is equal to 1 milliliter. So on a syringe, the 1 mL marking is the same as the 1 cc marking.
What is a milliliter?
A milliliter (mL) is a metric unit of volume equal to one thousandth of a liter. It is one of the most commonly used units for measuring small volumes of liquids in fields like medicine, pharmacy, and chemistry.
Some key facts about the milliliter:
- 1 mL is equal to 1 cubic centimeter (cc or cm3). A cube that measures 1 centimeter on each side has a volume of 1 mL.
- 1000 mL is equal to 1 liter. So 1 milliliter is one thousandth (1/1000) of a liter.
- Common lab equipment like pipettes, burettes, and volumetric flasks are calibrated in milliliters.
- Doses of oral liquids, injectable solutions, and intravenous fluids are often measured in mL.
What is a cubic centimeter?
A cubic centimeter (cc or cm3) is a metric unit of volume equal to 1 milliliter. It refers to the volume occupied by a cube that measures 1 centimeter (cm) along each side.
Some key facts about the cubic centimeter:
- 1 cc is equal to 1 mL.
- 1 cc takes up the same volume as 1 mL of water.
- In the metric system, the centimeter is the base unit of length. 1 cc is derived from this base unit.
- Measuring volume in cc is useful for small volumes typically used in medicine and science.
The milliliter and cubic centimeter are equivalent
Since a 1 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm cube contains exactly 1 mL of volume, the milliliter and the cubic centimeter represent the same volume measurement.
This means:
- 1 mL = 1 cc = 1 cm3
- These units can be used interchangeably when measuring small volumes.
- Converting between mL and cc is simple – the volumes are equal.
- Whether a volume is labeled as 1 mL or 1 cc does not matter, it describes the same amount.
Some examples:
- A 5 mL volume is equal to 5 cc
- 0.5 mL = 0.5 cc
- An IV bag with 100 mL of saline also contains 100 cc
So milliliters and cubic centimeters represent the same volumes regardless of the unit symbol used.
Why syringes are marked with both mL and cc
Because mL and cc are interchangeable units, syringes typically have volume markings in both:
- The mL scale
- The cc or cm3 scale
This double scale allows people from different backgrounds to easily read the syringe:
- Those used to metric units can use the cc scale.
- Those familiar with milliliters can use the mL scale.
Having both units avoids confusion and mistakes during measurement. A nurse taught to measure in cc can use the same syringe as a lab tech familiar with mL.
Example syringe markings
Here are some examples of dual scale syringe markings:
- A 1 cc marking is the same as 1 mL
- The 3 cc mark is equal to 3 mL
- 0.5 cc = 0.5 mL
So the same lines represent 1 cc and 1 mL on a syringe. The number value is equivalent.
When to use mL vs cc
Since mL and cc are equal, either unit can be used interchangeably:
- mL is commonly used in medicine and pharmacy.
- cc is more common in science fields.
- Veterinary medicine uses both interchangeably.
There is no difference in using mL vs cc. But here are some tendencies:
Milliliters are more common in medicine
mL is widely used in medical settings like:
- Measuring liquid medications
- Dosing children’s syrups and elixirs
- Preparing and administering intravenous fluids
- Stating injection volumes
Using mL helps avoid confusion for patients. Prescriptions and medicine labels tend to use mL.
Cubic centimeters in science
The cc unit is common in science fields such as:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Physics
- Laboratory research
These fields frequently work with the metric system. So cc aligns with using centimeters as a base unit.
Converting between mL and cc
Because mL and cc denote the same volume, converting between them is straightforward:
- 1 mL = 1 cc
- Multiply the volume in mL by 1 to convert to cc
- Multiply the cc volume by 1 to convert to mL
Some conversion examples:
- 5 mL x 1 = 5 cc
- 0.3 cc x 1 = 0.3 mL
- 150 mL = 150 cc
The volumes in mL and cc are identical. No mathematical calculation is required to convert between these equal units.
Common uses and examples
Milliliters and cubic centimeters are used extensively in:
Medicine and Pharmacology
- Dosing medications and injections
- Measuring doses for children based on weight
- Preparing intravenous (IV) fluids
- Stating volumes for injections and infusions
Example: A doctor prescribes 0.3 mL of pilocarpine eye drops to be instilled in the eye every 8 hours.
Laboratory research
- Accurately measuring reagents and chemicals
- Titrating solutions in analyses
- Diluting samples and specimens
Example: A chemist uses a 10 mL graduated cylinder to measure 5 mL of nitric acid for an experiment.
Food and cooking
- Measuring small amounts of liquids like vanilla extract, almond essence, food coloring
- Precisely adding ingredients for baking recipes
Example: A recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 mL) of almond extract to be added to the frosting.
Key takeaways
The main points about milliliters and cubic centimeters:
- 1 mL is equal to 1 cc or 1 cm3 – these units are equivalent.
- Milliliters and cubic centimeters represent the same volume of liquid.
- Syringes have markings in both mL and cc to avoid confusion.
- mL is commonly used in medicine while cc is more popular in science.
- No conversion is needed between mL and cc – the numbers are identical.
So 1 mL is exactly the same as 1 cc, whether referring to a measurement on a syringe or a volume of liquid. The mL and cc units are interchangeable and equal.
Conclusion
Milliliters (mL) and cubic centimeters (cc) are equal, interchangeable units of volume. Any volume measured as 1 mL is identical to 1 cc – the units can be used synonymously. Syringes are marked with both mL and cc scales, since 1 mL = 1 cc. While mL is more common in medicine and cc in science, either can be used as they denote the same volume. Understanding that mL and cc refer to the same amount avoids confusion in reading syringe measurements or converting between the units.
