Density Calculator

Calculate density, mass, or volume using ρ = m/V. Solve for any variable. Includes a reference table of common material densities.

kg

DENSITY

1,000 kg/m³


FORMULA

ρ = m / V

Density of Common Materials

MaterialDensity (kg/m³)Density (lb/ft³)
Air (sea level)10.08
Oak wood75046.82
Ice91757.25
Water (4°C)1,00062.43
Concrete2,400149.83
Aluminum2,700168.56
Steel7,850490.06
Copper8,960559.35
Lead11,340707.93
Gold19,3001,204.86

💡 How to Calculate Density

What Is Density?

Density is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume. It is an intrinsic property of a material — meaning it does not depend on the amount of the substance. A teaspoon of gold has the same density (19,300 kg/m³) as a gold bar.

Density determines whether an object floats or sinks: objects denser than water (1,000 kg/m³) sink, while less dense objects float. This principle is used in material identification, quality control, and engineering design.

How to Calculate Density

The Density Formula (Density Triangle)

ρ = m / V — solve for density
m = ρ × V — solve for mass
V = m / ρ — solve for volume

Where ρ (rho) is density in kg/m³, m is mass in kg, and V is volume in m³. In US customary units, density is often expressed as lb/ft³ or lb/gal.

Worked Example

A block of aluminum has a mass of 2.7 kg and a volume of 0.001 m³ (1 liter):

ρ = 2.7 / 0.001 = 2,700 kg/m³

Densities of Common Materials

Air: 1.225 kg/m³. Wood (oak): 600–900 kg/m³. Water: 1,000 kg/m³. Concrete: 2,300 kg/m³. Aluminum: 2,700 kg/m³. Steel: 7,850 kg/m³. Copper: 8,960 kg/m³. Lead: 11,340 kg/m³. Gold: 19,300 kg/m³. Use our metal weight calculator to find the weight of specific metal shapes.

Water: 1,000 kg/m³. Aluminum: 2,700. Steel: 7,850. Gold: 19,300. Objects denser than water sink.

Density Calculator FAQ