Density calculator

Formula

How it works

Density is how much mass is packed into a given volume. Dividing mass by volume in grams and cubic centimetres gives the same number as kilograms per litre; multiplying by 1000 converts it to the SI unit, kilograms per cubic metre.

Worked example

The same calculation with the default values:

• Mass 500 g
• Volume 62.5 cm³

1. ρ = 500 ÷ 62.5 = 8 g/cm³
2. 8 g/cm³ × 1000 = 8,000 kg/m³

Result: Density (g/cm³): 8 g/cm³ · Density (kg/m³): 8,000 kg/m³

Common mistakes

• Using weight instead of mass for the numerator - density uses mass (kg), not weight (N); the two are proportional but not the same quantity, and mixing them gives a wrong result.
• Forgetting to convert volume units consistently (cm³ vs m³ vs litres differ by large factors) - a missed conversion produces a result off by a factor of 1,000 or more.
• Assuming an object's average density tells you whether it floats - floating also depends on the density of the fluid it's placed in, not the object's density alone.