A liter is a metric unit of volume commonly used to measure liquids. It is equivalent to 1,000 cubic centimeters (cm³) or 1 cubic decimeter (dm³). The liter is widely used around the world, especially in countries that follow the metric system, for everyday purposes such as measuring beverages and cooking ingredients. In addition to the standard liter, there are also variations like the milliliter (mL), which is one-thousandth of a liter. The liter is often used in scientific contexts, such as in chemistry, where precise measurements are crucial. It is denoted by the symbol L.