Density Calculator

Calculate density, mass, or volume using ρ = m/V. Enter any two values to solve for the third. Includes a reference table of common material densities.

Density

2.5000 g/cm³

Mass

10.00 g

Volume

4.00 cm³

What Is Density?

Density is a fundamental physical property defined as mass per unit volume: ρ = m/V. It describes how tightly packed the matter in a substance is. Density is intrinsic — it does not change based on the amount of material. A gold bar and a gold ring have the same density (19.32 g/cm³), even though they have different masses and volumes.

Common Material Densities

MaterialDensity (g/cm³)Floats in Water?
Water (4°C)1 g/cm³✓ Yes
Wood (Oak)0.75 g/cm³✓ Yes
Wood (Pine)0.5 g/cm³✓ Yes
Ice0.917 g/cm³✓ Yes
Gasoline0.75 g/cm³✓ Yes
Air (at STP)0.001225 g/cm³✓ Yes

Applications of Density

  • Buoyancy: Objects with density less than the fluid float; greater density sinks
  • Material identification: Density helps identify unknown substances
  • Quality control: Manufacturing uses density to check material purity and consistency
  • Meteorology: Air density affects weather patterns and flight performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is density?
Density is a measure of how much mass is contained in a given volume. The formula is ρ = m/V, where ρ is density, m is mass, and V is volume. Density is typically expressed in g/mL, g/cm³, or kg/m³. Water has a density of 1.0 g/mL at 4°C, which serves as a convenient reference point — substances with density less than 1 float in water.
How do I calculate density from mass and volume?
Density is calculated by dividing mass by volume: ρ = m/V. For example, if an object has a mass of 50 grams and a volume of 20 cm³, its density is 50 ÷ 20 = 2.5 g/cm³. This calculator can solve for any of the three variables — just enter the two values you know.
What is specific gravity and how does it relate to density?
Specific gravity is the ratio of a substance's density to the density of water (1 g/mL). It is a dimensionless number. For example, gold has a specific gravity of 19.3, meaning it is 19.3 times denser than water. Specific gravity is commonly used in hydrometers, battery testing, and quality control of liquids.
Why does ice float on water if it's also H₂O?
Ice floats because it is less dense than liquid water. When water freezes, its molecules form a crystalline structure that takes up more space (expands by about 9%), reducing its density to 0.917 g/mL compared to liquid water at 1.0 g/mL. This unusual property is why ice forms on top of lakes and ponds, insulating the water below and allowing aquatic life to survive winter.

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