🔬 Density Unit Converter

Convert between kg/m³, g/cm³, lb/ft³, mg/L, and more density units. Professional tool for chemistry, physics, and engineering calculations.

Converter
Common Units
Formulas
Examples
Guide

Density Converter

Common Density Units

Kilogram per cubic meter
kg/m³

SI base unit for density. Standard international unit.

Gram per cubic centimeter
g/cm³

Common chemistry unit. 1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³

Pound per cubic foot
lb/ft³

Imperial unit for density. Used in US engineering.

Milligram per liter
mg/L

Water analysis unit. Perfect for solution concentrations.

Ton per cubic meter
t/m³

Heavy materials unit. 1 t/m³ = 1000 kg/m³

Gram per liter
g/L

Solution concentrations. 1 g/L = 1 kg/m³

Conversion Reference Table

Unit Symbol 1 kg/m³ equals Common usage
Kilogram per cubic meter kg/m³ 1 SI standard unit
Gram per cubic centimeter g/cm³ 0.001 Chemistry, materials
Milligram per liter mg/L 1000 Water analysis
Pound per cubic foot lb/ft³ 0.06243 Imperial system
Ton per cubic meter t/m³ 0.001 Heavy materials
Gram per liter g/L 1 Solutions

Density Formulas & Conversions

Basic Density Formula
ρ = m / V

ρ = Density (kg/m³)
m = Mass (kg)
V = Volume (m³)

SI Unit Conversions
1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³
1 kg/L = 1000 kg/m³
1 t/m³ = 1000 kg/m³
1 mg/L = 0.001 kg/m³
Imperial Conversions
1 lb/ft³ = 16.0185 kg/m³
1 oz/in³ = 1729.994 kg/m³
1 lb/in³ = 27679.9 kg/m³
1 slug/ft³ = 515.379 kg/m³
Specific Gravity
SG = ρ_material / ρ_water

Water density at 20°C: 1000 kg/m³
Specific gravity is dimensionless.

Temperature Effect
Density typically decreases as temperature increases due to thermal expansion. Water has maximum density at 4°C (1000 kg/m³).
Pressure Effect
Gases are highly compressible and density increases with pressure. Liquids and solids are nearly incompressible.
Measurement Units
Choose appropriate units based on application: kg/m³ for general use, g/cm³ for chemistry, mg/L for water analysis.

Density Examples

💧 Liquids
  • Water (4°C): 1000 kg/m³
  • Ethanol: 789 kg/m³
  • Gasoline: 720-775 kg/m³
  • Mercury: 13534 kg/m³
  • Olive oil: 915 kg/m³
  • Diesel fuel: 850 kg/m³
🏗️ Construction Materials
  • Concrete: 2400 kg/m³
  • Steel: 7850 kg/m³
  • Aluminum: 2700 kg/m³
  • Wood (oak): 750 kg/m³
  • Glass: 2500 kg/m³
  • Brick: 1900 kg/m³
⛽ Gases & Fuels
  • Air (20°C): 1.2 kg/m³
  • Natural gas: 0.8 kg/m³
  • Hydrogen: 0.09 kg/m³
  • LPG: 550 kg/m³
  • Propane: 500 kg/m³
  • Carbon dioxide: 1.98 kg/m³
🌍 Natural Materials
  • Ice: 917 kg/m³
  • Sand (dry): 1600 kg/m³
  • Soil: 1300-1800 kg/m³
  • Snow (fresh): 100-200 kg/m³
  • Salt water: 1025 kg/m³
  • Granite: 2700 kg/m³

Practical Calculation Examples

Example 1: Water Tank

Problem: A 2 m³ tank contains 1800 kg of water. Calculate density.

ρ = 1800 kg ÷ 2 m³ = 900 kg/m³

This water has lower density than normal (probably hot water at higher temperature).

Example 2: Material Comparison

Problem: Which is denser: 50 lb/ft³ concrete or 0.8 g/cm³ wood?

Concrete: 50 × 16.0185 = 801 kg/m³
Wood: 0.8 × 1000 = 800 kg/m³

Concrete is slightly denser (801 > 800 kg/m³).

Example 3: Solution Concentration

Problem: Convert 250 mg/L to kg/m³.

250 mg/L × 0.001 = 0.25 kg/m³

This is a very dilute solution, typical for trace contaminants in water.

Density Measurement Guide

🎯 Choosing the Right Unit
  • Scientific research: Use kg/m³ or g/cm³
  • Water analysis: Prefer mg/L or μg/L
  • Construction projects: kg/m³ or t/m³ suitable
  • US engineering: lb/ft³ may be required
  • Chemistry labs: g/cm³ or g/mL common
🌡️ Temperature Considerations
  • Density changes with temperature
  • Liquids expand when heated (density decreases)
  • Water has maximum density at 4°C
  • Always record temperature during measurements
  • Use standard temperature for comparisons
⚖️ Pressure Effects
  • Gases are highly compressible
  • Liquid density slightly increases with pressure
  • Solid density minimally affected by pressure
  • Consider altitude for gas measurements
  • Use standard pressure conditions when possible
🔬 Measurement Methods
  • Pycnometer: High precision for liquids
  • Hydrometer: Quick liquid measurements
  • Gas chromatography: For gas densities
  • Displacement method: For irregularly shaped solids
  • Digital density meter: Modern automatic method
❗ Common Mistakes
  • Ignoring temperature effects
  • Wrong unit conversions
  • Not accounting for air bubbles
  • Mixing up mass and weight
  • Using incorrect significant figures
✅ Best Practices
  • Calibrate instruments regularly
  • Use appropriate sample size
  • Record environmental conditions
  • Repeat measurements for accuracy
  • Consider material purity

🔬 Density Unit Converter

Professional tool for precise density calculations. Perfect for chemistry, physics and engineering applications.

Result will appear here

⚡ Quick Convert

🔬 Scientific Units

kg/m³ SI base unit
g/cm³ Chemistry standard
mg/L Water analysis
μg/L Trace element analysis

🏭 Industrial Units

lb/ft³ Imperial system
t/m³ Heavy materials
slug/ft³ Engineering calculations
oz/in³ Small objects

📊 Conversion Table (based on kg/m³)

Unit Symbol 1 kg/m³ = Usage Area
Kilogram/m³kg/m³1SI system
Gram/cm³g/cm³0.001Chemistry
Milligram/litermg/L1000Water analysis
Pound/ft³lb/ft³0.06243Imperial system
Ton/m³t/m³0.001Heavy materials
Gram/literg/L1Solution concentration

🧮 Basic Formulas

Density Definition

ρ = m / V

ρ: Density (kg/m³)
m: Mass (kg)
V: Volume (m³)

SI Unit Conversions

1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³
1 kg/L = 1000 kg/m³
1 t/m³ = 1000 kg/m³
1 mg/L = 0.001 kg/m³

Imperial System Conversions

1 lb/ft³ = 16.0185 kg/m³
1 oz/in³ = 1729.994 kg/m³
1 lb/in³ = 27679.9 kg/m³
1 slug/ft³ = 515.379 kg/m³

Specific Gravity

SG = ρ_material / ρ_water

Water density at 20°C: 1000 kg/m³

💧 Water and Liquids

  • Water (4°C): 1000 kg/m³ = 1 g/cm³
  • Alcohol (ethanol): 789 kg/m³
  • Gasoline: 720-775 kg/m³
  • Mercury: 13534 kg/m³
  • Olive oil: 915 kg/m³

🏗️ Construction Materials

  • Concrete: 2400 kg/m³
  • Steel: 7850 kg/m³
  • Wood (oak): 750 kg/m³
  • Aluminum: 2700 kg/m³
  • Glass: 2500 kg/m³

⛽ Fuels and Chemicals

  • Diesel: 850 kg/m³
  • LPG: 550 kg/m³
  • Natural gas: 0.8 kg/m³
  • Hydrogen: 0.09 kg/m³
  • Propane: 500 kg/m³

🌍 Natural Materials

  • Air (20°C): 1.2 kg/m³
  • Sand: 1600 kg/m³
  • Soil: 1300-1800 kg/m³
  • Snow (fresh): 100-200 kg/m³
  • Ice: 917 kg/m³

📐 Calculation Examples

Example 1: Water Tank Density

Problem: A 2 m³ tank contains 1800 kg of water. Calculate density.

Solution:

ρ = m / V = 1800 kg / 2 m³ = 900 kg/m³

This water has lower density than normal (probably hot water).

Example 2: Material Comparison

Problem: Which is denser: 50 lb/ft³ concrete or 0.8 g/cm³ wood?

Solution:

Concrete: 50 lb/ft³ = 50 × 16.0185 = 801 kg/m³

Wood: 0.8 g/cm³ = 0.8 × 1000 = 800 kg/m³

Concrete is slightly denser (801 > 800 kg/m³).

📚 Density Measurement Guide

🎯 Choosing the Right Unit

  • Scientific research: Use kg/m³ or g/cm³
  • Water analysis: Prefer mg/L or μg/L
  • Construction projects: kg/m³ or t/m³ suitable
  • US standards: lb/ft³ may be required

🌡️ Temperature Effects

Density changes with temperature:

  • Liquids generally expand when heated (density decreases)
  • Water reaches maximum density at 4°C
  • Gases expand significantly with temperature increase
  • Record temperature during measurements

⚖️ Pressure Effects

  • Gases can be compressed with pressure (density increases)
  • Liquids are nearly incompressible
  • Air density decreases at high altitudes
  • Use standard conditions (STP) as reference

🔬 Measurement Techniques

  • Hydrostatic weighing: For liquid densities
  • Pycnometer: Precise measurements
  • Areometer: Quick liquid measurement
  • Gas chromatography: Gas density

❗ Common Mistakes

  • Ignoring temperature changes
  • Not accounting for air bubbles
  • Incorrect unit conversion
  • Overlooking moisture content
  • Skipping calibration