Density Calculator
Values
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Example 1
A fermentation experiment requires 500 mL of ethanol. The technician knows that ethanol has a density of 0.789 g/mL at 20 °C and needs to determine the mass for inventory and cost calculations.
Solution
The technician needs the mass of 500 mL of ethanol. Starting from the density formula, rearranging gives:
Substituting the known values:
The units cancel as (g/mL) × mL = g, confirming the result is in grams.
Answer
394.5 g
The mass of 500 mL of ethanol at 20 °C is 394.5 g. If the temperature were higher, the volume would expand and the mass per unit volume would decrease.
The mass of 500 mL of ethanol at 20 °C is 394.5 g. If the temperature were higher, the volume would expand and the mass per unit volume would decrease.
Source: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 105th Edition
Example 2
A geology student finds a mineral sample with a mass of 45.6 g. She places it in a graduated cylinder containing 25.0 mL of water. The water level rises to 42.0 mL. She needs the density to identify the mineral.
Solution
The mineral sample has a measured mass of 45.6 g. Placing it in the graduated cylinder displaces water from 25.0 mL to 42.0 mL, so its volume is 42.0 − 25.0 = 17.0 mL.
Applying the density formula:
This value of 2.68 g/cm³ is consistent with feldspar or quartz, both common rock-forming minerals.
Answer
2.68 g/cm³
This density is consistent with feldspar or quartz, both common rock-forming minerals. The Mohs hardness would help distinguish between them.
This density is consistent with feldspar or quartz, both common rock-forming minerals. The Mohs hardness would help distinguish between them.
Source: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 105th Edition
Example 3
An engineer needs to determine whether a rectangular block of metal is solid aluminum. The block measures 10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm and has a mass of 2.70 kg. The known density of aluminum is 2.70 g/cm³.
Solution
The block is a cube measuring 10 cm on each side, so the volume is V = 10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm = 1000 cm³.
The mass is given as 2.70 kg, which must be converted to grams to match the density units: m = 2.70 kg × 1000 g/kg = 2700 g.
The density formula relates mass and volume:
Substituting the mass and volume in consistent units:
The calculated density of 2.70 g/cm³ matches the reference value for aluminum (2.70 g/cm³), confirming the block is solid aluminum.
Answer
2.70 g/cm³
Matching pure aluminum. The block is confirmed as solid aluminum. If the measured density were significantly lower, it might indicate hollow sections or a different alloy.
Matching pure aluminum. The block is confirmed as solid aluminum. If the measured density were significantly lower, it might indicate hollow sections or a different alloy.
Source: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 105th Edition
Example 4
A machinist receives a rectangular metal block labelled "density unknown." The block measures 8.0 cm × 5.0 cm × 3.0 cm and has a mass of 1.36 kg. When submerged in water, it displaces 120 mL of water. Identify the metal by computing its density.
Solution
The displaced volume is 120 mL (120 cm³) and the mass is 1.36 kg (1360 g). Applying the density formula:
Comparing with reference values: lead = 11.34 g/cm³, brass ≈ 8.5 g/cm³, steel ≈ 7.8 g/cm³. The density matches lead almost exactly.
Volumetric confirmation: block volume = 8.0 × 5.0 × 3.0 = 120 cm³, matching the displacement measurement.
Answer
11.33 g/cm³
The block is lead (within 0.1% of 11.34 g/cm³). The Archimedes displacement method confirms the geometric volume calculation.
The block is lead (within 0.1% of 11.34 g/cm³). The Archimedes displacement method confirms the geometric volume calculation.
Source: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 105th Edition
Published:
Updated:
References
- [1]CRC Press, CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 105th Edition, 2024. https://www.routledge.com/CRC-Handbook-of-Chemistry-and-Physics/Rumble/p/book/9781032751977
- [2]IUPAC, IUPAC Quantities, Units and Symbols in Physical Chemistry (Green Book), 2023. https://iupac.org/what-we-do/books/greenbook
- [3]Pearson, Vogel's Textbook of Quantitative Chemical Analysis, 6th Edition, 2000.
Glossary
- Density (ρ) – Mass per unit volume of a substance, typically expressed in g/mL, g/cm³, or kg/m³. It is an intensive physical property that depends on temperature and pressure.
- Mass (m) – A measure of the amount of matter in an object or sample, typically expressed in grams (g) or kilograms (kg). Mass is independent of gravity and location.
- Volume (V) – The three-dimensional space occupied by a substance, expressed in millilitres (mL), litres (L), or cubic metres (m³). For liquids, volume changes measurably with temperature.
- Specific gravity – The ratio of a substance’s density to the density of a reference substance (usually water at 4 °C). It is dimensionless and numerically equal to density in g/mL.
- Buoyancy – The upward force exerted by a fluid on a submerged or floating object, equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object, as described by Archimedes’ principle.
- Archimedes’ principle – A physical law stating that the buoyant force on an object equals the weight of the fluid it displaces. It is the fundamental principle used in hydrometer measurements and density determination for irregular solids.
- Meniscus – The curved upper surface of a liquid in a narrow container, caused by surface tension and adhesion to the walls. Volume readings must be taken at the bottom of the meniscus for consistent density measurements.
- Pycnometer – A laboratory glass vessel with a precisely known volume, used for accurate density determination of liquids and solids by measuring the mass of the contained substance.
- Hydrometer – A sealed glass instrument that floats in a liquid; the depth to which it sinks depends on the liquid’s density. Hydrometers are calibrated to read density or specific gravity directly.
How to Use?
- 1
Select what to calculate
Choose Density (ρ), Mass (m), or Volume (V) from the dropdown. The two input fields for the values you need to provide remain visible, while the field for the value you are solving for is hidden automatically.
- 2
Enter the known values
Type in the two known values. Use the unit dropdowns next to each field to switch between grams and kilograms, milliliters and liters, or kg/m³ and g/cm³.
- 3
Enable Advanced Mode for temperature (optional)
Toggle the Advanced Mode switch if your measurement was taken at a non-standard temperature. Enter the measurement temperature in degrees Celsius. The calculator corrects for thermal expansion using a coefficient of 0.00021/°C, which is appropriate for dilute aqueous solutions.
- 4
Review the result and alternative units
The results panel displays the primary answer in your chosen unit. Below it, a list of alternative unit values provides the same result in other common units, such as g/cm³, kg/m³, and lb/ft³ for density.
- 5
Use the result in your work
Copy the result or note the value for your report, material specification, or quality control documentation. The reference tables on this page provide density values for common materials and the temperature dependence of water density to help you verify your inputs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Density helps identify unknown materials, verify purity, predict whether an object will float or sink, and calculate mass when volume is known or vice versa. It is a commonly measured physical property across chemistry, materials science, geology, medicine, and engineering. A single density measurement can confirm the composition of an alloy, detect adulteration in food products, or diagnose bone health in medical patients.
Most substances expand when heated, which increases their volume while mass stays constant. This means density decreases as temperature rises. Water is an exception near its freezing point: it reaches maximum density at 4 °C, not 0 °C. For liquids, density changes by about 0.02–0.05% per °C near room temperature. For gases, the effect is much larger – about 0.3% per °C – because gases follow the ideal gas law where density is inversely proportional to absolute temperature.
Density has units (g/cm³, kg/m³) and expresses mass per unit volume. Specific gravity is dimensionless: it is the ratio of a substance’s density to the density of water at 4 °C. Numerically, specific gravity equals density in g/cm³ because water at 4 °C has a density of 1.000 g/cm³. Specific gravity is widely used in battery testing, brewing, and mineral processing because it is a simple number without unit conversion concerns.
Yes, but you must account for the strong effects of temperature and pressure on gas density. The calculator does not apply pressure corrections, so you should enter the mass and volume of the gas at the actual measurement conditions. For most accurate results, measure the gas volume at the known temperature and pressure, or use the ideal gas law (PV = nRT) to determine the mass from known conditions. The Advanced Mode temperature correction is calibrated for liquids and may not be accurate for gases.
Use the water displacement method. Weigh the object on a balance. Fill a graduated cylinder with a known volume of water and record the level. Carefully submerge the object, tilting it to release any trapped air bubbles. Record the new water level. The displaced volume (final minus initial) equals the object’s volume. Divide the mass by the displaced volume to get the density. For water-soluble objects, use a non-reactive liquid such as ethanol or mineral oil instead of water.
Multiply density by volume: m = ρ × V. Make sure the units are consistent. If density is in g/cm³ and volume in cm³, mass will be in grams. If density is in kg/m³ and volume in m³, mass will be in kilograms. The calculator handles unit conversion automatically, so you can mix different unit systems without error. For a practical example using solution concentration, the Molarity Calculator also uses mass and volume to find molar concentration.
Water density varies with temperature. At 4 °C it is at its maximum: 1.000 g/cm³ (1000 kg/m³). At 20 °C it is 0.998 g/cm³, and at 100 °C it is 0.958 g/cm³. Above 4 °C, water expands and its density decreases with increasing temperature. Below 4 °C, water also expands slightly, making it less dense than at 4 °C – which is why ice floats. The table in this page’s content section lists water density at 10-degree intervals from 0 °C to 100 °C.
Bulk density includes the volume of pore spaces within the material, while true density (also called skeletal density) considers only the solid volume. For example, a brick has bulk density around 1.8 g/cm³ but its true density is about 2.5 g/cm³ because it contains tiny air pockets. Bulk density is relevant for construction materials, soils, and powders. True density is relevant for identifying pure substances. When using this calculator, specify which density you mean before selecting your volume measurement method.
Ice floats because it is less dense than liquid water. When water freezes, the hydrogen bonds form an open hexagonal crystal structure that takes up more space than the liquid form. Ice has a density of 0.917 g/cm³, about 8% lower than water at 4 °C (1.000 g/cm³). This is why icebergs float with roughly 10% of their volume above the surface. Most other substances are denser as solids than as liquids, making water’s behavior unusual and crucial for aquatic life in freezing climates.
Dissolved salts increase seawater density. Pure water at 20 °C has a density of 0.998 g/cm³, while typical seawater (salinity 35 g/kg) at the same temperature has a density of 1.025 g/cm³. The increase comes from dissolved ions (Na⁺, Cl⁻, Mg²⁺, SO₄²⁻) that add mass without proportionally increasing volume. Regions with high evaporation (like the Red Sea) have higher salinity and density. Regions with freshwater input (estuaries, Arctic meltwater) have lower salinity and density, creating stratification layers in the ocean.
To convert from g/cm³ to kg/m³, multiply by 1000. This is because 1 g/cm³ equals 1000 kg/m³. For example: density of water = 1.00 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³, density of aluminum = 2.70 g/cm³ = 2700 kg/m³, density of air = 0.0012 g/cm³ = 1.2 kg/m³. The factor 1000 comes from 1000 g per kg and one million cm³ per m³ (1000 × 1000 / 1,000,000 = 1). This calculator converts between all common density units automatically.
Density is a rapid, non-destructive quality check. Manufacturers measure the density of incoming raw materials to verify they match specifications. For example, aluminum alloy 6061 should have density 2.70 g/cm³; a measurement of 2.85 g/cm³ indicates the wrong alloy or excessive impurities. Density checks also detect voids in castings, incorrect polymer density in plastic injection molding, and dilution of liquid products. For chemical solutions, density correlates with concentration, making it a quick substitute for full chemical analysis. The Stock Solution Calculator uses density as a key input for converting purity to molarity.
For liquids, the effect of pressure on density is small – typically less than 0.5% per 100 atm. For most practical purposes at or near atmospheric pressure, liquids are considered incompressible. For gases, the effect is large because gases are highly compressible. The density of air at sea level (1 atm) is about 1.225 kg/m³, but at 10 atm it is about 12.25 kg/m³ (following the ideal gas law). This calculator does not apply pressure corrections. Your inputs should reflect the actual pressure conditions of your measurement.
Common metal densities in g/cm³: magnesium 1.74, aluminum 2.70, titanium 4.51, iron 7.87, steel (mild) 7.85, copper 8.96, silver 10.49, lead 11.34, uranium 19.05, gold 19.32, platinum 21.45, osmium 22.59. These values are at room temperature. The wide range – from 1.74 (magnesium, lighter than water) to 22.59 (osmium, the densest natural element) – makes density a powerful distinguishing property for metals and alloys.
Density connects weight percent purity to molarity. The standard formula M = (wt% × density × 1000) / molar mass uses density to convert between mass-based concentration (wt%) and volume-based concentration (molarity). For a concentrated hydrochloric acid solution labeled 37% with density 1.18 g/mL, the molarity is (37 × 1.18 × 1000) / 36.46 = 12.08 M. This calculation is handled by the Stock Solution Calculator, which also provides temperature correction for density.
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