What is the density?
Enter any two of mass, volume and density. The calculator finds the third, in the units you choose.
- Density
- 156.07 lb/ft³
A mass of 22.05 lb in a volume of 0.1413 ft³ has a density of 156.07 lb/ft³.
Density: 156.07 lb/ft³. A mass of 22.05 lb in a volume of 0.1413 ft³ has a density of 156.07 lb/ft³.
How to calculate
Computes density from mass and volume (ρ = m ÷ V), or the mass or volume from the other two, in metric or US units.
Example with the default inputs (Mass 22.0462262184878 lb, Volume 0.141258666885954 ft³): A mass of 10 kg in a volume of 0.1413 ft³ has a density of 156.07 lb/ft³.
Formula: ρ = m ÷ V; m = ρ × V; V = m ÷ ρ.
- The density is the average over the whole object: mass divided by the total volume it takes up.
- Units are converted exactly: 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg, 1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³, 1 L = 0.001 m³ (NIST SP 811).
Worked examples
Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.
- Mass 22.05 lb, Volume 0.1413 ft³ gives Density 156.07 lb/ft³.Source: hand calculation in content.mdx: 10 kg ÷ 0.004 m³ = 2,500 kg/m³ = 2.5 g/cm³
- Density 1,204.9 lb/ft³, Volume 0.00003531 ft³ gives Mass 0.04255 lb.Source: hand calculation in content.mdx: 19,300 kg/m³ × 1e-6 m³ = 0.0193 kg = 19.3 g
- Mass 62.4 lb, Density 62.4 lb/ft³ gives Volume 1 ft³.Source: hand calculation in content.mdx: 62.4 lb ÷ 62.4 lb/ft³ = 1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³ (NIST SP 811)
How it works
Density (ρ, the Greek letter rho) is mass per unit of volume:
- ρ = m ÷ V
- m = ρ × V
- V = m ÷ ρ
The calculator converts the mass to kilograms and the volume to cubic meters, solves, and shows the answer in the unit you pick. The conversions are exact: 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg, 1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³, 1 US gallon = 3.785411784 L, 1 L = 0.001 m³ and 1 mL = 1 cm³.
Assumptions
- The answer is the average density of the whole object.
- Mass, volume and density are all greater than zero.
Worked examples by hand
10 kg in 4 liters. 4 L = 0.004 m³. ρ = 10 ÷ 0.004 = 2,500 kg/m³, which is 2.5 g/cm³.
The mass of 1 cm³ of gold. Gold is about 19.3 g/cm³ = 19,300 kg/m³. 1 cm³ = 0.000001 m³. m = 19,300 × 0.000001 = 0.0193 kg = 19.3 g.
The volume of 62.4 lb of water at 62.4 lb/ft³. V = 62.4 ÷ 62.4 = 1 ft³, which is 0.028316846592 m³ (28.3 L).
Other questions people ask
What is the formula for density?
Density = mass ÷ volume, written ρ = m ÷ V. The SI unit is the kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m³). For example, 10 kg in 4 liters is 10 ÷ 0.004 m³ = 2,500 kg/m³.
How do I find mass from density and volume?
Multiply them: m = ρ × V. One cubic centimeter of gold (about 19.3 g/cm³) has a mass of 19.3 × 1 = 19.3 g.
How do I find volume from mass and density?
Divide the mass by the density: V = m ÷ ρ. 62.4 lb of water at 62.4 lb/ft³ takes up 1 cubic foot.
How do g/cm³, g/mL and kg/m³ compare?
1 g/cm³ = 1 g/mL = 1 kg/L = 1,000 kg/m³, because 1 mL = 1 cm³ and 1 m³ = 1,000 L. Water near room temperature is about 1 g/cm³.
Does density change with temperature?
Yes, a little for liquids and solids and a lot for gases, because most materials expand as they warm. Use a mass and volume measured at the same temperature.