Density Calculator
Enter any two of density, mass and volume to get the third. Mix units freely (grams with cubic inches, pounds with liters) and compare your result with the densities of common materials.
How to use the Density Calculator
- Choose what to solve for: density, mass or volume.
- Enter the two known values and pick a unit for each.
- Pick the unit you want the answer in using the unit list of the value you are solving for.
- Read the result, the specific gravity and the closest common material.
- Use a preset such as Steel or Water to fill in a known density and find mass or volume.
The density formula
Density (ρ, the Greek letter rho) tells you how much mass fits in a given volume:
- Density: ρ = m ÷ V
- Mass: m = ρ × V
- Volume: V = m ÷ ρ
The calculator converts every input to SI units (kilograms and cubic meters) first, solves the formula, then converts the answer to the unit you picked. Example: a steel part of 185 cm³ with a density of 7,850 kg/m³ has a mass of 7,850 × 0.000185 = 1.452 kg.
Density unit conversions
| Unit | Equals (kg/m³) | Water at 20 °C |
|---|---|---|
| 1 kg/m³ (= 1 g/L) | 1 | 998 kg/m³ |
| 1 g/cm³ (= 1 g/mL = 1 kg/L) | 1,000 | 0.998 g/cm³ |
| 1 lb/ft³ | 16.0185 | 62.3 lb/ft³ |
| 1 lb/in³ | 27,679.9 | 0.0361 lb/in³ |
| 1 lb/gal (US) | 119.826 | 8.33 lb/gal |
| 1 oz/in³ | 1,729.99 | 0.577 oz/in³ |
Tips for accurate results
- Liquids and gases change density with temperature; gases also change strongly with pressure.
- For bulk materials such as sand, gravel or flour, the bulk density (including air gaps) is lower than the density of the solid grains.
- When measuring by water displacement, make sure the object is fully submerged and has no trapped air bubbles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for density?
Density is mass divided by volume: ρ = m / V. Rearranged, mass = density × volume and volume = mass ÷ density. In SI units density is measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).
How do I convert g/cm³ to kg/m³?
Multiply by 1,000. One gram per cubic centimeter equals 1,000 kg/m³, so aluminum at 2.7 g/cm³ is 2,700 kg/m³. g/cm³, g/mL and kg/L are all the same size unit.
What is the density of water?
Pure water is about 1,000 kg/m³ (1 g/cm³). It is densest at about 4 °C (999.97 kg/m³) and about 998 kg/m³ at room temperature (20 °C). Seawater is denser, around 1,025 kg/m³, because of dissolved salt.
What is specific gravity?
Specific gravity is the ratio of a material's density to the density of water. It has no units. A value below 1 means the material floats in fresh water, above 1 means it sinks. This calculator divides by 998 kg/m³, water at 20 °C.
How do I find the density of an irregular object?
Weigh it to get the mass, then measure its volume by water displacement: submerge it in a measuring container and note how much the water level rises. Divide the mass by the displaced volume.
Why do the material densities look approximate?
Real densities vary with temperature, pressure, purity, alloy and moisture. Wood can range widely by species and dryness, and alloys like brass or steel vary by composition. The table shows typical values for quick estimates.