Calculate density from mass and volume, or solve for any variable in ρ = m/V. Material identification with 12-material comparison scale.
Density is mass divided by volume: ρ = m/V. This calculator solves for any of the three variables, density, mass, or volume, given the other two. It is useful when you need to identify a material, check a specification, or turn a measured mass and volume into a usable density value.
Enter mass in kg, grams, pounds, or ounces, and volume in m³, cm³, liters, mL, in³, or ft³. The calculator returns density in kg/m³ and g/cm³, specific gravity, the closest matching material from a 12-material database, and whether the object would float or sink in water.
The density scale shows where your sample falls among common materials, and the comparison table shows what the same volume would weigh for each reference material.
Density is one of the simplest non-destructive checks for distinguishing materials. If you have a scale and a way to measure volume, you can turn those measurements into a useful match against common references.
The comparison table and density scale help you see not just the numeric result, but also where it sits relative to familiar materials.
Density: ρ = m / V. Mass: m = ρ × V. Volume: V = m / ρ. Specific Gravity: SG = ρ / ρ_water (ρ_water = 1000 kg/m³ at 4 °C).
Result: 8,500 kg/m³ (8.50 g/cm³)
ρ = 0.850 kg / 0.0001 m³ = 8,500 kg/m³ = 8.50 g/cm³. Closest material: Copper (8,960 kg/m³). SG = 8.50.
A common lab procedure: 1. Weigh the sample on a precision balance → mass m 2. Fill a graduated cylinder partly with water, record V₁ 3. Submerge the sample, record V₂. Volume = V₂ − V₁ 4. Calculate ρ = m / (V₂ − V₁) 5. Compare ρ to reference tables
This method can distinguish steel (7,850) from titanium (4,507), aluminum (2,700) from magnesium (1,738), and detect counterfeit coins or jewelry.
| Material | Density (kg/m³) | g/cm³ | |---|---|---| | Air (STP) | 1.225 | 0.001 | | Cork | 120–240 | 0.12–0.24 | | Water (4 °C) | 999.97 | 1.000 | | Aluminum 6061 | 2,710 | 2.71 | | Steel (mild) | 7,850 | 7.85 | | Copper | 8,960 | 8.96 | | Lead | 11,340 | 11.34 | | Gold | 19,320 | 19.32 |
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Use water displacement: submerge the object in a graduated cylinder and record the volume change. This is Archimedes' method.
Most metals differ by > 5% in density, so ±2% accuracy is sufficient. For distinguishing alloy grades, ±0.5% or better is needed.
Common reasons: trapped air pockets, measurement errors in volume, temperature effects, or the material is an alloy rather than a pure reference sample.
Osmium at 22,590 kg/m³ is the densest natural element. Among common metals, gold (19,320) and lead (11,340) are the densest encountered in everyday applications.
This gives bulk density, which includes air gaps between particles. True particle density requires gas pycnometry or liquid displacement of individual grains.
Yes. Most materials expand when heated, lowering density. Water is unusual: its maximum density occurs at 4 °C (999.97 kg/m³).