🧪 Density Calculator Reference
Mass, Volume & Density Guide
Density represents a material's mass per unit volume, commonly symbolized by the Greek letter ρ. Find Mass-to-Volume Ratio (ρ=m/V)
ρ =
m
V
Where: ρ = density | m = mass | V = volume
Density Formula
The core equation is \( \rho = \frac{m}{V} \), where ρ denotes density, m stands for mass, and V indicates volume. This straightforward calculation requires careful unit selection to avoid errors.
Factors Affecting Density
Density varies with pressure and temperature, especially for gases where higher pressure compresses volume and boosts density. Temperature rises typically expand volume and lower density, though water densifies from 0°C to 4°C.
Common Density Units
| Unit | kg/m³ Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Kilogram/cubic meter | SI Unit |
| Kilogram/cubic centimeter | 1,000,000 |
| Gram/cubic meter [g/m³] | 0.001 |
| Gram/cubic centimeter | 1,000 |
| Kilogram/liter [kg/L] | 1,000 |
| Gram/liter [g/L] | 1 |
| Pound/cubic inch [lb/in³] | 27,680 |
| Pound/cubic foot [lb/ft³] | 16.02 |
| Pound/cubic yard [lb/yd³] | 0.5933 |
| Pound/gallon (US) | 119.83 |
| Pound/gallon (UK) | 99.78 |
| Ounce/cubic inch [oz/in³] | 1,730 |
| Ounce/cubic foot [oz/ft³] | 1.001 |
| Ounce/gallon (US) | 7.489 |
| Ounce/gallon (UK) | 6.236 |
| Ton (short)/cubic yard | 1,186.6 |
| Ton (long)/cubic yard | 1,328.9 |
| psi/1000 feet | 2.3067 |
Density of Common Materials
| Material | Density (kg/m³) |
|---|---|
| Earth's atmosphere (sea level) | 1.2 |
| Water (STP) | 1,000 |
| Earth (average) | 5,515.3 |
| Iron | 7,874 |
| Copper | 8,950 |
| Tungsten | 19,250 |
| Gold | 19,300 |
| Platinum | 21,450 |
| Atomic nuclei | \(2.3 \times 10^{17}\) |
| Black hole | Above \(1 \times 10^{18}\) |
❓ Density Calculator FAQ
What is density in simple terms?
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Density is mass per unit volume, calculated as ρ = m/V where ρ is density, m is mass, and V is volume. It's how much matter is packed into a given space.
How do I calculate density?
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Use the formula ρ = m/V. Enter mass and volume values with proper units, then solve for density. Always check units match mass/volume dimensions.
What is the density of water?
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Water at standard temperature and pressure (STP) has a density of 1,000 kg/m³ (1 g/cm³). This is the reference standard for most density comparisons.
Why does density change with temperature?
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Higher temperatures usually expand volume (lowering density), while pressure compresses volume (increasing density). Water is unique, densifying from 0°C to 4°C.
What units should I use for density?
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SI unit is kg/m³. Common alternatives: g/cm³ (1000 kg/m³), kg/L (1000 kg/m³). Always ensure final units = mass/volume.