Density = Mass ÷ Volume
Density (D) is the amount of mass packed into a unit of volume: D = M ÷ V. If you know two of the three variables, you can rearrange the formula to find the third. This calculator handles all three cases: solve for density, mass, or volume.
Common Material Densities (g/cm³)
Water is the standard reference at 1.0 g/cm³. Materials denser than water sink; those below 1.0 float. Aluminum (2.7) is roughly half the weight of iron (7.9) at the same volume, which is why aircraft use aluminum alloys. Gold (19.3) is nearly twice as dense as lead (11.3).
Why Units Matter
This calculator uses g/cm³ (grams per cubic centimeter), equivalent to g/mL for liquids and kg/L for bulk densities. To convert to kg/m³, multiply by 1,000. For lb/ft³, multiply g/cm³ by 62.43.
Density is mass per unit volume (D = M/V). It tells you how tightly packed matter is in a given space.
Does temperature affect density?
Yes. Most materials expand when heated, decreasing density. Water is unusual: it is densest at 4 degrees C, which is why ice floats.