Calculate any of the three variables in the density equation given the other two. Determine density, mass, or volume with precision and unit conversions.
The density of a material, typically denoted using the Greek symbol ρ, is defined as its mass per unit volume. This fundamental property of matter helps us understand how much substance is packed into a given space.
The density formula ρ = m/V shows the relationship between density (ρ), mass (m), and volume (V). Our calculator can solve for any of these three variables when the other two are known, making it a versatile tool for physics, chemistry, and engineering applications.
The calculation of density is quite straightforward. However, it is important to pay special attention to the units used for density calculations. There are many different ways to express density, and not using or converting into the proper units will result in an incorrect value. It is useful to carefully write out whatever values are being worked with, including units, and perform dimensional analysis to ensure that the final result has units of mass over volume.
Note that density is also affected by pressure and temperature. In the case of solids and liquids, the change in density is typically low. However, when regarding gases, density is largely affected by temperature and pressure. An increase in pressure decreases volume, and always increases density. Increases in temperature tend to decrease density since the volume will generally increase. There are exceptions however, such as water's density increasing between 0°C and 4°C.
| Unit | Equivalent in kg/m³ |
|---|---|
| kilogram/cubic meter | SI Unit |
| kilogram/cubic centimeter | 1,000,000 |
| gram/cubic meter [g/m³] | 0.001 |
| gram/cubic centimeter | 1000 |
| kilogram/liter [kg/L] | 1000 |
| 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 |
| Material | Density in kg/m³ |
|---|---|
| Earth's atmosphere at sea level | 1.2 |
| Water at standard temperature and pressure | 1,000 |
| The Earth | 5,515.3 |
| Iron | 7,874 |
| Copper | 8,950 |
| Tungsten | 19,250 |
| Gold | 19,300 |
| Platinum | 21,450 |
| Atomic nuclei | 2.3×10¹⁷ |
| Black hole | above 1×10¹⁸ |
Density calculations have numerous practical applications across various fields. In materials science, density helps identify unknown substances and verify material purity. Engineers use density calculations for structural design, fluid dynamics, and material selection. In chemistry, density is crucial for solution preparation and reaction calculations.
Geologists use density measurements to identify minerals and understand Earth's internal structure. In medicine, bone density measurements help diagnose osteoporosis, while body density calculations are used to determine body fat percentage. Environmental scientists use density calculations to study ocean currents, atmospheric phenomena, and pollutant distribution.