How this calculator works
- Step 1Densityρ = m ÷ VFrom mass and volume.
- Step 2Massm = ρ × VFrom density and volume.
- Step 3VolumeV = m ÷ ρFrom density and mass.
Density tells you how much mass is packed into each unit of volume. Knowing any two of density, mass and volume gives the third. The calculator works in grams and cubic centimetres, and also shows kilograms per cubic metre.
Worked example: a cube of lead
- Density
mass ÷ volume
- Volume2.00 × 2.00 × 2.00 cm8 cm³
- Density90.7 g ÷ 8 cm³11.3375 g/cm³
This is OpenStax Chemistry Example 1.1, which rounds the answer to 11.3 g/cm³.
Sinks or floats
- Iron7.87 g/cm³Denser than water, so it sinks.
- Wood0.65 g/cm³Less dense than water, so it floats.
Read the result
The headline is the quantity you chose; the table shows all three, with density in both g/cm³ and kg/m³.
A litre (1,000 cm³) of water at 1 g/cm³ weighs 1,000 g. 100 g of aluminium takes up 37.037037 cm³.
Assumptions and limits
- Grams and cm³1 cm³ = 1 mL; 1 g/cm³ = 1,000 kg/m³.
- TemperatureDensities of liquids and gases change with temperature.
- Uniform materialMixed or hollow objects give an average density.
Related science tools
Density links mass and volume. Shape volumes and solution strength are the next steps.
To find the volume of a solid first, use the volume calculator. For concentration in moles per litre, try the molarity calculator, and to convert units, the unit converter.
Common mistakes
Mistake: Mixing kilograms with cm³.
Instead: Convert to grams first: 1 kg = 1,000 g.
Mistake: Using litres as cm³.
Instead: 1 litre is 1,000 cm³.
Checking the method
Every golden case is rechecked in SI units with exact fractions, and three OpenStax examples are reproduced.
An independent script converts to kilograms and cubic metres, divides exactly, and converts back.
Read how we test our calculators, or browse more maths calculators.