Density Calculator

How to use the density calculator

1. Choose what to solve for: density, mass, or volume.
2. Enter the other two values in your chosen units.
3. Read the answer, shown in several units.
4. Copy the link to save or share it.

The density formula

Density is how much mass is packed into a given volume, and the density formula is short: density equals mass divided by volume. Rearranged, mass equals density times volume, and volume equals mass divided by density. This density calculator solves for any of the three, so whether you know two of them and want the third, it works out the missing one and shows it in common units.

What density tells you

Density explains why some things float and others sink, and why a small object can feel surprisingly heavy. Water is about 1 gram per cubic centimetre, or 1,000 kilograms per cubic metre; anything denser than the liquid it sits in sinks, and anything less dense floats. Because density is mass over volume, a dense material like lead packs a lot of mass into little space, while a light one like foam spreads a little mass over a lot.

Getting the units right

Density mixes a mass unit with a volume unit, so the two most common forms are grams per cubic centimetre and kilograms per cubic metre, which differ by a factor of 1,000. This tool lets you enter mass and volume in whatever units you have and pick the density unit you want, so you do not have to convert by hand. Keep an eye on which density unit you are reading, since the numbers look very different.

A worked example

An object with a mass of 500 grams and a volume of 250 cubic centimetres has a density of 500 divided by 250, which is 2 grams per cubic centimetre. That is twice as dense as water, so it would sink.

FAQ

How to calculate density of an object?

To learn how to calculate density of an object, divide its mass by its volume. For 500 grams in 250 cubic centimetres, the density is 2 grams per cubic centimetre. The tool shows it in several units.

How do I find mass from density and volume?

Multiply density by volume. Choose Mass, enter the density and volume, and the tool returns the mass in grams, kilograms, and pounds.

What is the density of water?

About 1 gram per cubic centimetre, or 1,000 kilograms per cubic metre. Anything denser sinks in water and anything less dense floats.

Why do the density numbers look so different?

Because density combines a mass unit and a volume unit. Grams per cubic centimetre and kilograms per cubic metre differ by 1,000, so check which one you are reading.

Is my information private?

Yes. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing you enter is uploaded or saved.