Density Converter
Convert kg/m³, g/cm³, lb/ft³, lb/gal (US & Imperial), and other density units.
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*Diagram shows values relative to the selected base unit (kg/m³).
Unit Information
What is Kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³)?
Kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³) is the SI derived unit of density. It represents the mass in kilograms contained within a volume of one cubic meter. This unit is standard in scientific and engineering contexts globally for expressing the density of substances.
What is Grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³)?
Grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³, or sometimes g/cc) is another common metric unit of density. It is particularly convenient because the density of water at 4°C is approximately 1 g/cm³. One g/cm³ is equivalent to 1000 kg/m³. This unit is often used in chemistry and everyday material specifications.
What is Kilograms per liter (kg/L)?
Kilograms per liter (kg/L) is a unit of density identical to grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³). Since 1 liter is 1000 cm³ and 1 kilogram is 1000 g, the ratio remains the same. It is commonly used for liquids, with water having a density of approximately 1 kg/L.
What is Grams per milliliter (g/mL)?
Grams per milliliter (g/mL) is equivalent to grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) because 1 milliliter is defined as 1 cubic centimeter. It's a very common unit in chemistry and medicine for measuring the concentration of substances in solutions.
What is Pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³)?
Pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³) is a common imperial and US customary unit of density. It's used in many engineering and trade applications in the United States, such as specifying the density of construction materials, foams, and soils.
What is Pounds per cubic inch (lb/in³)?
Pounds per cubic inch (lb/in³) is used for materials with high density, such as metals. Since there are 1728 cubic inches in a cubic foot, this unit represents a much higher density than lb/ft³.
What is Pounds per gallon (lb/gal)?
Pounds per gallon (lb/gal) is often used for liquids in the US. For example, the density of water is about 8.34 lb/US gal. It's important to specify whether the US or Imperial gallon is being used, as they are different volumes.
What is Slugs per cubic foot (slug/ft³)?
Slugs per cubic foot is the unit of density in the English Engineering system of units. A slug is a unit of mass defined such that it accelerates at 1 ft/s² when one pound-force is applied. This system simplifies certain force calculations.
Formulas
1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³
One gram per cubic centimeter is equal to 1000 kilograms per cubic meter.
1 g/cm³ = 1 kg/L
One gram per cubic centimeter is equal to one kilogram per liter.
1 lb/ft³ ≈ 16.018 kg/m³
One pound per cubic foot is approximately 16.018 kilograms per cubic meter.
1 lb/in³ ≈ 27.68 g/cm³
One pound per cubic inch is approximately 27.68 grams per cubic centimeter.
Density (ρ) = Mass (m) / Volume (V)
The fundamental definition of density.
Key Reference Points
- Water (at 4°C): 1 g/cm³ or 1000 kg/m³ or ~62.4 lb/ft³.
- Air (sea level, 20°C): ~1.2 kg/m³.
- Aluminum: ~2.7 g/cm³ or 2700 kg/m³.
- Steel (typical): ~7.85 g/cm³ or 7850 kg/m³.
- Gold: ~19.3 g/cm³ or 19300 kg/m³.
- Gasoline: ~0.75 g/cm³ or 750 kg/m³.
- Mercury: ~13.6 g/cm³ or 13600 kg/m³.
- Ice: ~917 kg/m³ (which is why it floats on water).
- Oak Wood: ~750 kg/m³.
- Lead: ~11,340 kg/m³.
- Concrete: ~2,400 kg/m³.
- Human Body (average): ~985 kg/m³ (slightly less dense than water).
Did You Know?
Osmium is one of the densest naturally occurring elements, with a density of about 22.59 g/cm³ (or 22,590 kg/m³). This is roughly twice the density of lead. Even a small volume of osmium is surprisingly heavy. This high density is due to its high atomic weight and the effects of lanthanide contraction.
An object submerged in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced by the object. This principle explains why ships float: their overall density (including the air inside) is less than water's density.
Water has a unique property: its maximum density occurs at about 4°C (39.2°F), not at its freezing point (0°C). This is why ice floats and lakes freeze from the top down, which is crucial for aquatic life.
Neutron stars are the collapsed cores of massive stars and are among the densest objects known in the universe. A teaspoon of neutron star material would have a mass of about six billion tons.
Aerogel is a synthetic material with extremely low density, making it one of the most effective thermal insulators. It is composed of up to 99.8% air and has a ghostly, translucent appearance, earning it the nickname 'frozen smoke'.
Submarines control their overall density to dive and surface. They flood large ballast tanks with water to increase their density and sink, and then use compressed air to blow the water out, decreasing their density to rise.
A hydrometer is an instrument used to measure the specific gravity (or relative density) of liquids. It works by floating at different levels depending on the liquid's density. This is commonly used in brewing to measure sugar content.
In large bodies of water like oceans and lakes, water often forms layers based on density, which is affected by temperature and salinity. This stratification has major impacts on ocean currents and aquatic ecosystems.
The Earth's core is incredibly dense. The outer core is estimated to be around 9.9-12.2 g/cm³, while the inner core is even denser at about 12.8-13.1 g/cm³, denser than any material on the surface.
The slug is a unit of mass in the imperial system, and its corresponding density unit is slug/ft³. It's defined such that one slug is accelerated at 1 ft/s² by a force of one pound-force. It simplifies certain engineering calculations.
While the Sun is incredibly massive, its overall average density is only about 1.4 g/cm³, just slightly denser than water. This is because it is a giant ball of gas. Its core, however, is extremely dense.
Gemologists use density (or more commonly, specific gravity) as a key diagnostic tool to identify gemstones. Since each mineral has a characteristic density, it can help distinguish between similar-looking stones like diamond and zircon.
The Plimsoll line on a ship's hull is a marking that indicates the maximum depth to which the ship may be safely loaded. The lines correspond to different water densities (e.g., for fresh water, salt water, and different seasons) to ensure the ship remains buoyant.
Lava lamps work because of density changes. A light bulb heats a mixture of wax and oil. The wax becomes less dense as it warms up, causing it to rise. As it cools at the top, it becomes denser and sinks, creating a continuous cycle.
The density of air decreases significantly with altitude. At sea level, it's about 1.2 kg/m³, but on the summit of Mount Everest, it's only about 0.4 kg/m³. This is why climbers need supplemental oxygen.
Cork has a very low density (around 240 kg/m³) because its structure is mostly composed of air-filled cells. This is why it floats so well on water (1000 kg/m³) and is used for things like bottle stoppers and fishing floats.
A hot air balloon rises because heating the air inside the balloon makes it less dense than the cooler air outside. According to Archimedes' principle, this density difference creates an upward buoyant force.
Brewers use specific gravity to track fermentation. Sugar is denser than alcohol, so as yeast consumes sugar and produces alcohol, the density of the liquid (the 'wort' or 'must') decreases. This allows them to determine the alcohol content.