kilolitre

Kilolitre, symbol kL, is a metric unit of volume equal to 1,000 litres. Because one litre equals one cubic decimetre (0.001 cubic metres), one kilolitre also equals one cubic metre (m^3). The prefix kilo denotes 10^3, so a kilolitre contains 1000 litres. In practice, the kilolitre is used to express moderate to large volumes of liquids, especially water, fuel, or other fluids, in contexts such as municipal water supply, irrigation schemes, industrial processes, and mining.

In many countries, kilolitre is preferred over litres for larger volumes; however, it is also commonly treated as equivalent to a cubic metre, since 1 kL = 1 m^3. Related units include the megalitre (ML), where 1 ML = 1000 kL = 1,000,000 L. Spelling conventions vary: litre is the form used in many countries, symbol L; kilolitre is written kL, using an uppercase L to represent litre and avoid confusion with other symbols.

The kilolitre is not an SI base unit, but it is a metric unit formed by combining the SI prefix kilo and the litre, which is accepted for use with the SI. It remains widely used in engineering, hydrology, and environmental contexts for practical measurement of larger liquid volumes.