Mass to Density Calculator
Free calculate density from mass and volume using ρ = m/v. Get instant, accurate results with our easy-to-use calculator.
Input Parameters
Results
Enter mass and volume to calculate
What is Density?
Density (ρ) is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume. It's defined as mass per unit volume: ρ = m/V.
Density is an intensive property - it doesn't depend on the amount of material. A small piece of gold has the same density as a large piece. Different materials have different densities, making it useful for identification and classification.
Common units include kg/m³ (SI), g/cm³, and lb/ft³. Water has a density of approximately 1000 kg/m³ (1 g/cm³) at standard conditions. Materials denser than water sink; less dense materials float.
Density Formula
Where:
- • ρ = Density (kg/m³)
- • m = Mass (kg)
- • V = Volume (m³)
Common conversions:
1 g/cm³ = 1000 kg/m³
1 kg/m³ = 0.001 g/cm³
1 lb/ft³ = 16.0185 kg/m³
How to Calculate
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1
Measure mass and volume
Obtain accurate measurements of the object's mass and volume.
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2
Convert to SI units
Convert mass to kg and volume to m³ for standard density in kg/m³.
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3
Calculate density
Divide mass by volume: ρ = m/V.
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4
Convert to desired units
Convert the result to g/cm³, lb/ft³, or other units as needed.
Practical Examples
Example 1: Water
Mass: 1 kg, Volume: 0.001 m³ (1 L).
Solution:
ρ = m/V = 1 kg / 0.001 m³
ρ = 1000 kg/m³ = 1 g/cm³
Example 2: Aluminum
Mass: 2.7 kg, Volume: 0.001 m³.
Solution:
ρ = 2.7 kg / 0.001 m³
ρ = 2700 kg/m³ = 2.7 g/cm³
Applications
Materials Science
Identifying materials, quality control, and understanding material properties. Density helps distinguish between similar-looking materials.
Manufacturing
Ensuring product specifications, calculating shipping weights, and determining material requirements for production.
Buoyancy
Determining if objects float or sink. Objects denser than the fluid sink; less dense objects float.
Education
Teaching mass, volume, and density relationships. Understanding intensive vs. extensive properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does density matter?
Density determines how materials behave - whether they float or sink, how much space they occupy, and their mass for a given volume. It's a fundamental property used in material identification and engineering design.
Does density change with temperature?
Yes! Most materials expand when heated (volume increases), so density decreases. Water is unusual - it's densest at 4°C. For precise calculations, use density at the actual temperature.
What's the difference between density and specific gravity?
Specific gravity is the ratio of a material's density to water's density (at 4°C). It's dimensionless. Density has units (kg/m³). Specific gravity of 2.7 means the material is 2.7× denser than water.
How do I measure volume for irregular shapes?
Use water displacement: submerge the object in water and measure the volume increase. Or use geometric formulas if the shape is regular. For porous materials, account for open pores.
Can density be negative?
No! Density is always positive (mass and volume are both positive). Negative density would be physically meaningless. However, effective density can appear negative in some exotic physics contexts (like metamaterials).