Density Calculator
Calculate density (ρ = m/V), mass, or volume. Convert between g/cm³, kg/m³, and lb/ft³.
What is Density Calculator?
The density calculator applies the basic formula ρ = m/V: density equals mass divided by volume.
Formula
ρ = m / V. Water at 4°C has density exactly 1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³ — the reference for "specific gravity."
Worked example
1 kg of water = 1000 g, occupying 1 L = 0.001 m³. Density = 1/0.001 = 1000 kg/m³ = 1 g/cm³.
How to use this calculator
- Enter mass in kg and volume in m³.
- Density appears in 4 unit conventions plus specific gravity.
Frequently asked questions
Common densities?
Water: 1000 kg/m³. Iron: 7870. Aluminum: 2700. Lead: 11,340. Mercury: 13,534. Gold: 19,300. Granite: 2700. Air at sea level: 1.225 kg/m³.
What's specific gravity?
Density relative to water (1000 kg/m³). Specific gravity > 1 = sinks in water. < 1 = floats. Useful in geology, mining, and any context comparing materials.
Why does density change with temperature?
Materials expand when heated, increasing volume but not mass. So density decreases. Water has anomalous behavior — densest at 4°C, less dense both warmer and colder.
How do I measure density?
Mass: scale. Volume: water displacement (Archimedes' principle) for irregular objects, or geometric calculation for regular shapes.