Find density, and know if it floats.
Enter any two of mass, volume, and density in the units you have, and get the third instantly. See the result in g/cm3 and kg/m3, compare it to water, metals and gold, and find out whether it sinks or floats.
The substance
Enter mass and volume, and the density is computed for you.
What this density means
How it compares to common materials
Density in g/cm3
Buoyancy scorecard
Density of common substances
Your substance is inserted in place, so you can see exactly where it lands.
| Substance | g/cm3 | kg/m3 | lb/ft3 | In water |
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Density, explained
The Density Formula
Density equals mass divided by volume (D = m/V). The standard unit is grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm³) or kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³). Water has a density of 1.0 g/cm³, making it a convenient reference point.
Common Material Densities
Water: 1.0 g/cm³, Aluminum: 2.7, Iron: 7.87, Copper: 8.96, Lead: 11.34, Gold: 19.32, Wood (oak): 0.6-0.9, Ice: 0.917. Objects with density less than water float; those with greater density sink.
Density in Science and Engineering
Density is used to identify unknown substances, determine buoyancy, calculate structural loads, and design materials. In geology, density helps identify minerals. In engineering, it determines whether materials will float or how much they weigh.
Converting Density Units
To convert g/cm³ to kg/m³, multiply by 1,000. To convert to lb/ft³, multiply g/cm³ by 62.428. This calculator provides the result in g/cm³ and also shows comparisons to familiar materials for context.
Common questions
What is the density of water?
Pure water at 4 degrees Celsius has a density of exactly 1.0 g/cm³ (1,000 kg/m³). This value changes slightly with temperature: warm water is less dense, and cold water is slightly more dense (until freezing).
How do I measure volume for irregular objects?
Use the water displacement method. Fill a graduated cylinder with a known volume of water, submerge the object, and note the new volume. The difference equals the object volume in milliliters, which equals cubic centimeters.
Will my object float in water?
If the density is less than 1.0 g/cm³, the object will float in water. If the density is greater than 1.0, it will sink. For example, wood (0.6-0.9) floats, while iron (7.87) sinks.
What is the densest natural element?
Osmium is the densest naturally occurring element at 22.59 g/cm³, slightly denser than iridium at 22.56 g/cm³. For comparison, gold is 19.32 g/cm³ and lead is 11.34 g/cm³.
Reference densities are typical values at room temperature and standard pressure. Real materials vary with temperature, purity, alloy, and porosity. Use this tool for study and estimation, and verify critical figures against a measured standard.